[header] How to write a letter of interest for a grant [title] Know your audience. [step] Learn everything you can about the foundation making the grant. Find out what types of philanthropy the foundation has engaged in before, and learn about the foundation's history and its milestones so you can think of the ways your vision is consistent with theirs. 
[substeps] It's not always easy to learn much about a non-local foundation, so try some unconventional tactics, like reading their press releases and searching their form 990 filings (tax forms). You can look for 990s at http: // 990finder.