Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi everyone,

My name is Rachel. I'm relatively new to nonprofit development and grant writing, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to learn from those of you who have been in this field for a while.

I've been tasked with drafting a few template Letters of Intent (LOIs) so they're ready to adapt when last-minute funding opportunities arise. I would greatly appreciate any tips or best practices you're willing to share for writing a strong, effective LOI. Whether that's guidance on structure, tone, key elements funders look for, or common pitfalls to avoid.

Thank you in advance for any insight you're willing to share. I'm grateful to be part of such a knowledgeable community.

#FundraisingandDevelopment

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Rachel Rothman
Donor Relations Coordinator
Patty Baker Humane Society Naples
FL
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Hi Rachel, welcome! That's a great idea to have LOI templates ready ahead of time.  A few tips that have helped me: keep LOIs clear, concise, and funder-focused. Most strong LOIs briefly cover the problem, your mission and credibility, the specific program or need, the impact, and a clear funding ask.

Funders often look for alignment with their priorities, measurable outcomes, and a compelling but straightforward story-avoid jargon and overly broad language. I've also found it helpful to write templates that are modular so sections can be easily swapped based on the funder's focus.

A common pitfall is trying to say too much-brevity and clarity usually win with LOIs. Looking forward to learning alongside you here!

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Julie Beatty
Grants Coordinator
Ziva Dog Rescue
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