Grant Writer Cover Letter Example and Template for 2023
Updated August 29, 2023
Grant writers pair excellent writing and editing skills with an understanding of governmental rules and regulations to help their employers earn money to fund projects. If you're interested in working as a grant writer, you can learn more about it by reading the relevant job description. If you decide you'd like to apply for a grant writer job, learning how to write an effective cover letter may help you appeal to potential employers and find a job quickly.
In this article, we list elements to include in a grant writer cover letter and provide an example cover letter you may use for guidance. When you're ready to assemble your application materials, write your cover letter, review a resume sample and upload a resume file or build an Indeed Resume to get started.
Mitchell Ingram
San Jose, CA
555-555-0188
mitchellingram.email.com
May 9, 2023
Dear Hiring Manager,
I'm pleased to submit my application for Grant Writer at Iron M. Circle Company. I'm a recent college graduate with two years of additional professional experience as an Assistant Grant Writer. With Iron M. Circle, I look forward to contributing to meaningful projects, continuing to improve my grant writing skills and collaborating with skilled professionals in my field.
I graduated cum laude from Anderfieldsberg College with a double major in English and Political Science. I've enjoyed opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills both inside and outside of school. In school, I learned about writing, editing, peer editing, budget management and public speaking. Outside the classroom, I've served as a summer Grant Writer Intern for one political campaign and one nonprofit. I feel these experiences have adequately prepared me for the professional world of grant writing.
I've always been passionate about changing the world for the better, and I feel that with the Iron M. team, I'd have the opportunity to do so. I'm particularly interested in the intersection of government programming and organizational responsibility and enjoy explaining how the two relate. This makes me an excellent grant writer, especially for an organization like yours that focuses on matching non-profits to the appropriate governmental aid.
I know that my training and interests perfectly align with this position, and I look forward to continuing my professional journey with the talented individuals that currently comprise the Iron M. Circle company. Should you have any further questions about my work history, skills or anything else, please don't hesitate to contact me by email. You're also welcome to call me at the phone number listed above, but please note that I'm usually unavailable from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Thank you for your time and your consideration. I look forward to further discussion.
Sincerely,
Mitchell Ingram
To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.
What to include in a grant writer cover letter
Here are elements that you might include to create an effective cover letter:
A header
A clear header is one basic cover letter component that can help you create an organized and professional document. Include your full name, your location, your phone number and a professional email address, each on a new line of the page. Next, you can include the date of application submission. This can show your attentiveness to deadlines and help the hiring manager stay organized. Finally, address the letter to the reader. If you know the name of the hiring manager, you can write, "Dear Full Name." Otherwise, you may write, "Dear Hiring Manager."
Read more: How To Address a Cover Letter (With Examples)
Experience
In your letter, talking about your relevant experiences can help show the hiring manager why you're ready for the position of grant writer. If you're a recent graduate, you might talk about your educational experiences, including relevant coursework or academic honors. If you have professional writing or grant writing experience, you can list the details of that experience, including the name of the job, the company you worked with and your primary responsibilities. Adding detail is a great way to create a more effective letter so list specific accomplishments, wherever possible.
Related: How To Become a Grant Writer With No Experience in 6 Steps
Skills
As a grant writer, there are a variety of hard and soft skills that can help you perform your job well. By mentioning these skills in your cover letter, you communicate both your understanding of a grant writer's responsibilities and your abilities to the hiring manager. Hard skills are technical knowledge or skills that can help you perform your job well. Here are a few hard skills you can include:
Writing
Editing
Proofreading
Calendar and deadline management
Research
Data management
Negotiation
Soft skills are highly transferrable skills and personality traits that make you an excellent grant writer. A few soft skills you might talk about in your cover letter include:
Communication
Attention to detail
Deadline-driven
Integrity
Dependability
Teamwork
Organization
Related: How To Find Grant Writing Jobs (And Tips for Getting One)
Goals
Discussing your professional goals is a great way to demonstrate your ambition and a goal-oriented attitude, which many employers appreciate. You can mention working on a particular type of project or collaborating with a specific organization. Consider connecting your professional goals to the potential employer by discussing how working there might help you achieve your goals.
Read more: FAQ: Why Is Career Goal Setting Important? (Plus Examples)
Connection to the company
Discussing your connection to the goals or values of the company is a great way to explain why you're interested in applying. This is a common grant writer interview question, so answering it in your cover letter may help earn the hiring manager's approval. You can discuss topics like company projects you'd like to work on, values you appreciate or peers you're excited to work with. It can be helpful to research the company before writing your cover letter to find specific connections to mention.
Related: 77 Interview Questions for Grant Managers (With Sample Answers)
