20 Free Letter of Support Templates and Examples – Word

Letters of support can improve the chances of an agency, government, or business receiving a grant for which they have applied. It can also help a student acquire the necessary funding for their education. In this article, we help you understand what a letter of support is, how it works, and how you can get one.

What Is a Letter of Support?

A letter of support is a document prepared by a third party as a testimonial that a grant applicant can deliver on their promises. It often accompanies a grant fund application and demonstrates that the writer is confident that the applicant, usually a business, government, or student, will perform as promised if provided with funding.

Letters of support are typically written by people with an established relationship with the grant applicant, either through past collaborations or donations. This could include the following:

• Major donors
• Partner organizations
• Outside businesses
• Community leaders
• Key stakeholders
• Other foundations

Besides confirming support for the grant applicant, a letter of support may also indicate the writer’s commitment to supporting the project financially by providing a gift-in-kind.

How Does a Letter of Support Work?

A letter of support is evidence that other people support your work and think your proposal has merit. While it won’t guarantee a grant award, it could make your proposal more appealing to the reviewing committee. This is especially true when the writer is a highly respected member of the community or an accomplished professional.

Drafting a Letter of Support

The following step by step guide will help you draft an effective letter of support:

• Step 1: Supply the date and the grantor’s name, title, and address. Use a subject line that clearly states your reason for writing.
• Step 2: In the first paragraph, clarify that your intent for writing is to express your support for the applicant.
• Step 3: Help the grantor understand your relationship with the applicant. This is where you mention any previous collaborations and their outcomes.
• Step 4: Briefly summarize the project to show that you understand it. Don’t go into too much detail, as the applicant will likely have done that in their grant proposal.
• Step 5: Explain how the funding from the grantor will be of help.
• Step 6: Provide your contact information.
• Step 7: Attach any relevant documents and include your name and title.

Accompanying Your Grant Proposal with a Letter of Support

When working on your grant proposal, consider propositioning previous partners and donors to write you a letter of support to support your application. Arrange several meetings to help them understand how your project will be beneficial to them, or instead, send them a summary of the following details:

• The nature and objectives of the project
• How the project aligns with their beliefs
• Ways in which the grant will help you achieve your objectives

If you have a letter of support draft from previous grant applications that have proven effective, send it to the potential supporter. Alternatively, send them a bullet list of what they should talk about and the address and name of the letter recipient.

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Letter of Support Format

{Date}

{Grantor’s Name}

{Grantor’s Company Name}

{Company Address}

{City, State, Zip Code}

Re: Support for {Applicant’s Name},

Dear {Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name},

I, {your name} of {company/organization name}, am writing on behalf of {grant applicant’s name} to express support for their grant application for {project name}, whose goal is to {goal of project}.

This project is important to me because {explain your interest}. I will be involved in {state your role}. Your support will enable us to {explain the grantor’s role}.

I have worked with {grant applicant’s name} in the past on {nature or relationship}, and I am confident that {he/she/they} will deliver as promised.

I am available at {contact information} to answer any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

{Sender’s Name}

{Sender’s Signature}

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Sample Letter of Support for Business

24 April 2031

Re: Support for Green Energy Solutions Ltd.

Dear Mrs. Danbury,

I, Paula Sanders, am a Professor at MIT and a previous donor of Green Energy Solutions Ltd. I am writing on behalf of the company to express my support for their grant application.

Your funding will help the company expand into the public sector. I was involved in their preliminary development projects, and I believe their approach to green energy solutions is revolutionary.

If you have any questions, I am available at paulasanders@email.com to answer them.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Paula Sanders, PhD

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Sample Letter of Support for Research Project

24 April 2031

Re: Support for the Malaria Vaccine Research Project

Dear Mr. Alistair,

I, Beverly David, am writing on behalf of the research team at Lakefield University to express support for their grant application for the Malaria Vaccine Research Project.

The goal of the project is to find a Malaria vaccine with an efficacy rate of 75 percent. This objective is close to my heart as a pediatrician of 34 years.

I will be involved in the project as the official consultant on disease strains and vaccines. Your funding will allow us to acquire the necessary equipment to synthesize our prototypes.

I have worked with the Lakefield University team on three previous projects, and I am confident that they will deliver as promised.

I am available at beverlydvid@email.com to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Beverly David, MD, PhD

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Sample Letter of Support for Student

24 April 2031

Re: Support for Grace Kim

Dear Mr. Blake,

This is to confirm that my intended support Grace Kim, a 2nd year Marine Biology student at your institution, the University of Alaska. Ms. Kim lost both her parents this year in an unfortunate accident and is, therefore, unable to pay her fees.

I am able and willing to cover all of Ms. Kim’s school expenses, including tuition fees and accommodation. I have attached my bank statements for the last year and a proof of income affidavit from my employer for your perusal.

I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

Sincerely

Faith Michaels

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Letter of Support Examples and Templates

Letter of support examples are sample testimonials drafted in the format and language of a letter of support. They are written by organizations, individuals, and companies to support grant applications by different projects, businesses, and students.

A letter of support is a reference written on behalf of a grant fund applicant by previous partners or donors. While it is not a standard part of the grant application process, it can improve your chances of a positive response. Some grantors will even request it before reviewing your application.