Budget

Develop an accurate budget: most reviewers will recognize padding. Some funding organizations initially ask only for the total amount of the request. You need to be prepared, however, with the more detailed budget information, because they will come back to you later if they consider your proposal for funding (Hall 155).

Hall describes budgeting in three steps :

1. Determine the funding organization's budget ground rules. What are the guidelines concerning

   	direct costs? These are costs that are specific to the project.
   	indirect costs? These include services, materials, and personnel that will be necessary to the project but that are available in the organization or institution making the request for funds. Many priivate funding sources do not allow the consideration of indirect costs.
   	matching funds? These are funds that the organization applying for the grant agrees to match, either in money or in kind, providing services that are necessary to the project.

2. Determine the project's total costs and estimate how money will be utilized during the projects various phases. A worksheet will be helpful here.
   
3. Place this information into appropriate budget categories.

Some cuts are almost inevitable, Morrison and Russell note. To prepare a budget that will work for your project, and that will establish your credibility with reviewers, they suggest that you

	make sure that the budget demonstrates that you know costs
	show that you have logical reasons for the funds that you request
	justify each personnel position in the budget, indicating how each position will contribute expertise to the project
	include names with positions when possible.