Letters of Support vs Letters of Commitment: Which Does Your Grant Need?

What Is a Letter of Support?

Think of a letter of support as a thumbs-up from someone who matters. It's a third-party endorsement saying "Yes, this project is needed, and this organization can pull it off." The person writing it explains why your work is important and how it will benefit the community, but they're not necessarily committing to roll up their sleeves and help.

• Describes the author's involvement with your organization and/or the community
• Explains why the project is necessary and the benefits it will bring
• Shows community receptiveness toward your project
• Does NOT require the stakeholder to commit resources or participate directly
• Demonstrates local approval rather than opposition to your plans

Who Should Provide Letters of Support?

Letters of support are most effective when they come from stakeholders who can speak to the community need and your organization's credibility:

• Service consumers: Individuals or organizations that benefit from your work
• Government officials: Aldermen, mayors, state and federal legislators
• Community leaders: Local business owners, educators, civic organization heads
• Industry representatives: Professional associations, chambers of commerce
• Other stakeholders: Anyone with a vested interest in the project's success

What Is a Letter of Commitment?

Now we're talking about real partnership. A commitment letter doesn't just say "Good idea!" It says "We're in, and here's exactly what we're bringing to the table." This is where partners spell out their specific role: staff time, funding, space, expertise, whatever they're contributing. This type of letter shows reviewers you've done the hard work of building real partnerships before you even applied.

• Identifies the partnership goal and intended outcomes or benefits
• Details previous collaborations between the organizations (if applicable)
• Specifies the partner's role in the proposed project
• Lists measurable, actionable commitments (internships, training programs, workshops, binding agreements)
• Documents resource contributions: monetary support, in-kind donations, staff time, facility space, equipment, or supplies
• Includes dollar values for all financial and in-kind contributions when possible

Key Differences at a Glance

The fundamental distinction comes down to action versus endorsement:

• Support Letters = "We believe in this project and think it's a good idea"
• Commitment Letters = "We're actively participating and contributing these specific resources"
• Support Letters = Advocacy and endorsement
• Commitment Letters = Partnership and collaboration with defined roles
• Support Letters = Show community approval
• Commitment Letters = Prove project viability and strength

Which Type Should You Submit?

If you're confused, you're not alone. Even grant guidelines can be vague about this. Here's the general rule: when guidelines are unclear, prioritize letters that document concrete roles and resources. They typically carry more weight because they prove you've actually lined up resources, not just cheerleaders. That said, always check if the funder explicitly prefers general support letters. Here's how to decide:

• When guidelines request 'partnership letters': Submit commitment letters
• When page limits are tight: Prioritize commitment letters over support letters
• When funders require matching funds: Commitment letters documenting match sources are essential
• When guidelines are vague: Default to commitment letters for maximum impact
• In some cases: Funders explicitly ask for both types; provide what's requested

What Grant Reviewers Look For

Insights from foundation program officers and grant reviewers reveal what makes letters effective in the evaluation process. According to James Patterson, Grants Officer at Community Foundation of Northern Illinois: "Many reviewers will dismiss letters that appear to be based on a template provided by the applicant. Unique letters that show the letter writer's actual support are more effective."

• Depth of partnership: Did the letter writer help shape the proposal or simply like the concept?
• Degree of support: Are they willing to be actively involved or just generally supportive?
• Quality over template: Genuine, personalized letters carry significantly more weight than form letters
• Evidence of communication: Letters indicate real planning occurred between organizations
• Consistency with budget: Reviewers check that commitment letters align with your budget documentation

Match Documentation Requirements

If a funder requires matching funds, your commitment letters must be as specific as possible. Grant reviewers carefully examine match documentation to verify project feasibility. The letters should clearly identify:

• Sources of matching funds: Which organizations are contributing
• Dollar amounts: Exact financial commitments being made
• Type of match: Cash, in-kind services, equipment, space, or personnel
• Value of in-kind contributions: How non-cash contributions were calculated
• Consistency: Match sources and amounts must align with your budget

How to Request Letters: Best Practices

Nobody likes being asked for a letter three days before a deadline (trust us, your partners will remember). Here's how to request letters the right way:

• Start early: Request letters at the beginning of your grant development process, not days before the deadline
• Provide talking points, not templates: Give partners key points to address while letting them write in their own voice
• Keep it to one page: Ask partners to limit letters to one page for reviewer convenience and to minimize total application pages
• Blue ink for wet signatures (optional): If a physical signature is required, blue ink can help distinguish an original from a copy. That said, e-signatures and PDF signatures are increasingly common and perfectly acceptable
• Allow time for revisions: Build in time to review drafts and request clarifications if needed
• Explain the difference: Help partners understand whether you need support or commitment
• Be specific about needs: If requesting commitment letters, clearly communicate what resources or actions you're asking them to document

Addressing Partner Concerns About Commitment

Let's be real: asking someone to commit resources to a project that might not get funded is awkward. Your partners worry about two things: time (they're busy) and risk (what if you don't get the grant?). Here's how to make it easier:

• Building in adequate time: Procuring commitment letters requires longer timeframes for conversations, negotiations, and planning
• Engaging partners early: Start the conversation as soon as you begin planning, even before a specific opportunity opens
• Adding conditional language: Make it clear commitments only apply if the grant is awarded and the project proceeds as agreed
• Collaborating on language: Ask partners what changes or stipulations would make them more comfortable signing
• Emphasizing conditionality: Remind partners that these are preliminary agreements contingent on receiving funding

What Should Be Included in Each Letter Type?

Here's what should appear in each type of letter:

Letter of Support Should Include:

• Organization letterhead
• Date
• Clear statement of support for the project
• Description of the letter writer's relationship to your organization or community
• Explanation of community need or problem the project addresses
• Benefits the project will deliver to the community
• Why the author believes your organization is qualified to execute the project
• Signature (wet signature, e-signature, or PDF signature as appropriate)

Letter of Commitment Should Include All of the Above, Plus:

• Description of previous collaborations (if applicable)
• Specific role the partner will play in the project
• Measurable, actionable commitments the partner is making
• Dollar amount of any monetary contributions
• Type and calculated value of in-kind contributions (staff time, space, equipment, supplies)
• Timeline or conditions under which commitments apply
• Clear statement of specific commitments (often contingent on award), aligned with the proposal and budget

Common Mistakes to Avoid

We've seen these mistakes sink otherwise strong applications. Don't let them happen to you:

• Using obvious templates: Fill-in-the-blank letters significantly reduce credibility
• Submitting generic praise: Vague endorsements without specific details carry little weight
• Missing signatures: Always include original signatures; unsigned letters may be disqualified
• Inconsistent information: Ensure commitment amounts match your budget exactly
• Requesting too late: Last-minute requests result in rushed, lower-quality letters
• Submitting support when commitment is needed: Read guidelines carefully to provide what's requested
• Exceeding one page: Long-winded letters may not be fully read by busy reviewers

The Competitive Advantage

According to Sarah Tapscott, Director of Statewide Partnerships at Forefront: "As a past grant reviewer, organizations that submitted letters of support ranked higher for me. It showed me that they are connected with other organizations within the community and also that they spent a little extra time to put forth a strong application." Strong partnership letters demonstrate genuine community engagement and project planning, which are key elements that make grant applications stand out.

Organizing Your Documentation with GrantCopilot

GrantCopilot's Compass provides templates that include dedicated sections and checklists for letters of support and attachments within your proposal. Use the workspace to organize all your proposal sections in one place, including a dedicated area for partnership documentation. This helps ensure you never miss critical documentation when deadline pressure builds.

Sources & Further Reading

This article draws on guidance from experienced grant writing professionals and federal funding experts:

• Olson, Kristin. "Support vs. Commitment Letters – Know the Difference." Grants Galore, grantsgalore.net/grantspeak-blog/letters. Expert insights from grant reviewers including James Patterson (Community Foundation of Northern Illinois), Sarah Tapscott (Forefront), and Amy Starin (Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation).
• Paiz, Taylor. "Letter of Commitment or Letter of Support? Demonstrate Your Project's Value and Impact." Capitol Funding Solutions, 27 Aug. 2024, capitolfunding.us/insights.