Final

Letter of Inquiry Questionnaire

Mary Garcia

HUM 5060 Grant Writing

September 23, 2019

Worksheet 2.1: Letter of Inquiry Questionnaire 2.

1. What is the purpose of this letter of inquiry? To whom is it being sent, and what is the connection?

This letter aims to explain to the funder regarding the proposal idea or the program that Fort Bend Women’s Center, Inc. wishes to undertake. It also intends to elaborate more about the outline of the program and how the established goals will be achieved. In this case, the proposal idea entails expanding the homelessness program and supportive services of FBWC to meet the community needs in Richmond City. Besides, the letter is addressed to Mary Smith, Ph.D. who is the funder.

2. What year was the organization founded? What year was it incorporated?

Fort Bend Women’s Center, Inc. was founded in 1980 and was later incorporated in 1982 (FBWC, 2019). It was incorporated as human service, and not-for-profit enterprise and its operations began in Richmond City in Texas State.

3. What is the mission of the organization?

FBWC mission focuses on helping sexual assault and domestic violence survivors to attain security and self-independence while fighting to eliminate gender-based violence (FBWC, 2019). The organization also aims to make sure that sexual assault and domestic violence survivors receive an alternative and better life within the community. Moreover, to achieve this mission, FBWC have integrated various programs including crisis intervention services, non-residential services, and housing programs to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

4. What are the long-term goals for the organization?

The long-term goal of FBWC is to ensure that the survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence attain self-sufficiency and safety. It also intends to make sure that the homeless community get permanent residence as well as promote the well-being of women and children through the elimination of domestic violence and assault.

5. What programs does the organization provide that support these goals?

FBWC offers various programs that support the attainment of its long-term goals. They include crisis intervention services, non-residential services, housing programs, and supportive services, to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Regarding the intervention services, FBWC offers emergency shelter for up to 12 hours to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. This service supports the organizational goal of ensuring safety to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. The enterprise also provides non-residential services or housing programs to survivors that are homeless or in constant threat of attack, thus supporting its goals of reducing homelessness in the community. Lastly, FBWC also offers supportive services such as counseling and providing advocates to the survivors, therefore enhancing the well-being of women and children.

6. What is the need in the community that you seek funding to address?

Many individuals are still homeless in Texas, and domestic violence and sexual assault comprise the significant factors leading to this problem (Frame, 2017). As such, there is a need to address this problem by expanding FBCW’s homelessness programs and supportive services. It is for this reason that the organization seeks funding to address the need. Expanding homelessness program and supportive services will enable the organization to meet the high demand for housing as well as offer efficient supportive services such as counseling and education to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Affected individuals will get permanent residences as well as become self-reliant in the community.

7. How, in the organization’s view, is the need related to its programs, long-term goals, and mission?

FBWC mission focuses on helping sexual assault and domestic violence survivors to attain security and self-independence while fighting to eliminate gender-based violence through its various programs including crisis intervention services, non-residential services, and housing programs to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Moreover, its long-term goals entail making sure that the survivors of sexual assault and domestic violent attain self-sufficiency and security as well as reduce homelessness in the community. Therefore, through the expansion of the homelessness program and supportive services, FBWC will achieve its mission and long-term objectives.

8. What does the organization propose to do about this need?

FBWC intends to address the above-stated need by expanding the homelessness program and supportive services to meet the high demand of the community. Meeting this need will portray the purpose of existence of the organization.

9. What outcome does the organization anticipate after the first year of funding?

The anticipated outcome following the first year of funding includes a reduced number of homeless individuals by 15%, reduced rate of sexual assault and domestic violence by 10%, and increased number of self-sufficient women by 8%.

10. What is the total cost of the proposed idea for the first year, or what is the cost to expand the current program? (Or multiple years if you plan to request multiple-year funding?) How much do you want from this funder?

The organization needs $2million. This amount will be sufficient to help FBWC to accomplish its program and meet the needs of the community.

11. Who will be contacting the funder to determine its interest and when? Whom should the funder contact for more information?

The funder can contact the administrator to ask for more information.

References

FBWC (2019). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.fbwc.org/

Frame, C. (2017). HUD: Homeless Population On Rise In Texas. Retrieved from https://www.tpr.org/post/hud-homeless-population-rise-texas

Winning Grants Step by Step, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.