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Funding budgets

Funding budgets are a special breed. They show what is possible rather than what is certain. In a funding budget you need to show that you have a shortfall in funds for the project.

Applicants often wonder how much to ask for. Your request should bear some relationship to group or client numbers and the size of the project.

Fit your request to the fund you are applying to. If there is a ceiling of $10,000 and you ask for $15,000 you run the risk of being declined altogether. If there is a cap of $10,000 but the average grant last year was $1,500, keep this in mind when deciding on an amount to ask for.

If the funder normally only funds 75% of the amount requested, don’t inflate the application to allow for this. Be realistic. Funders know what average costs are and recognise inflated budgets. They also talk to each other. Create a good impression of your organisation by getting quotes and doing your homework.

Make sure budget items add up and that the financial information on the application form agrees with the audited annual accounts. Ask for help if you are unsure about the financial information requested.

If your group does not receive all of the $2,004 applied for, you will need to adjust your project accordingly, perhaps run fewer courses. You may have also applied elsewhere for this project.

If insufficient money is received to do the project at all, you need to advise the funder. Offer to return the grant or ask to use it for a similar purpose.

FUNDING BUDGET

Training courses for volunteers $

(Three courses of 10 sessions with 20 volunteers per course)

Costs for one course (could also include advertising, postage, printing, stationery, equipment)

$

Trainer @ $50 per session 500 Venue hire @ $20 per session 200 Photocopying/refreshments 100 Travel 20 kms @ 0.40cents 8 Administration 5 hrs @ $12.00 60

Sub total 868

Costs for three courses ($868 x 3) 2,604 Less income for courses

@ $10 per person ($200 x 3) 600

Shortfall 2,004

Therefore apply for $2,004

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