Grants -Letter of Support

Chrissy D · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1048 Location: Queensland

Some grants require Letters of Support (LOS) for your project. I have asked a few people for a LOS and one person replied that usually you the applicant writes up the draft LOS for the support person to view/adjust and sign. Is this typical protocol in the industry? I had no idea??? So I therefore tried to research some example templates/examples/structures for a LOS for a grant application and couldn't find anything.

I wanted to know is there a set formula or generic questions the letter should address?

The grant guidelines did not specify exactly what is required in a LOS and when I asked the contact for the funding body, they basically just said the support letters should emphasis the benefit my project will have on the community (as appropriate to the grant I am applying for).

Have you ever been asked to provide someone with a LOS or have you been the one to ask someone else to write you up a LOS? Any advice/suggestions on what information is required? Any set layout? Should the support letter be more about the support person/organisation or you and your project or a bit of both?

Any information people find would be appreciated.

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

Chrissy normally the person providing the letter would write it, however you should always be prepared to give them some guidance as to what you want - which will depend on what the grant is for - ie travel, scolarship, new work production etc.

Some people will ask you to write it yourself - normally they are time poor and possibly not too commited to the support. ...and of course some people write better than others. I have had a few and the very best were normally written by the person not by me.

The letter should be no more than 1 A4 page, about 4 paragraphs should be sufficient. The letter should at least address:

Your relationship to the person/organisation providing the letter of support to demonstrate they are in a position to vouch for you. For example 'In my capacity of lecturer at X school I have known Chrissy for 3 years....'

A bit about you and why they believe you are a worthy recipient. For example 'Chrissy is a committed and prolific artist who is excited by the challenge of extending herself both conceptually and formally. She has an excellent capacity to confront, translate, research and analyse her chosen forms.....'

A statment of support is always a good closer e.g. "I fully support Chrissy’s application and believe that Chrissy has the requisite character that will enable her to make full use of the opportunities afforded by X grant/scholarship"

Everything should be relevant to the specific aims and criteria of the grant you are applying for.

belle · Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: Newcastle

This is new to me. I've never heard of a Letter of Support. Good to know. Thanks for advice Amanda.

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

Belle they are sometimes just called references. Not all grants/scholarship applications will ask for them.

thecatsgrin · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 2181 Location: Gippsland

In the workshop I did , this is what we were handed.... ( I will retype it word for word)
Support Lettersgive communities, organisations or individuals the opportunity to present their reasons as to why the project or activity is important.
A good support letter will demonstrate an understanding of the proposed project or activity and be from an individual or group who will be involved in the project or activity , or who will benefit from the project or activity .
A good support lette can help with Assessment Committee understand how the project or activity will benefit communities, organisations or individuals. It should reflect the relationship the applicant has with the group (s) the project is targeting.
A good support letter might include:
* An explanation of the importance of the project or activity to the community, organisation or individual.
*A brief outline of the individual or organisations own experiences with the applicantsprevious activities and involvement in the proposed project,.
*A recommendation of the artists/artworkers involved based on previous experience.
*Confirmation of cash or in-kind contributions (where relevant)
*Confirmation of an invitation or the acceptance of an invitation (where relevant)

Support material... can include, letters of support, photographs, video or sound recordings, written material, information about your organisation, CV's of Key artists, or anything that supports your plan.
A good letter of support will include , details of the support the organisation or individual writting the letter will provide, relevance to your project, and for indigenous communities, proof of community consultation or evidence of support for the project. ( this could be adapted to any project in my opinion though, a surveys results proving the value of your intended project etc?)