here - Healthy Cities Illawarra

The Budget
Grant application forms usually request the total
amount of funding you are seeking, and then
include a separate section for you to itemise
the budget for the project. As explained in
Chapter 9, Funding - How much do you need?,
be realistic when estimating how much you need
to run the breakfast program, and ensure you
present a justifiable, clear and concise budget.
You may not be required to provide the basis for
your calculations in the application itself, but you
may be asked to provide further information if
the figures appear unrealistic or at all ‘rubbery’.
It is therefore advisable to research your costs
fully, and keep all workings out and paperwork for
future reference if necessary.
The ‘outline of the project budget’ section often
includes itemised costs such as administration,
salaries, consumable supplies, program costs
(such as telephone, stationery, postage, audit,
promotion), capital costs such as equipment,
and rent. Include your estimated amounts where
relevant to your request. You may also be asked
to identify other funding sources, and financial/
in-kind (goods and services) contributions from
your organisation. Don’t ignore this step as it
demonstrates support for the breakfast program
beyond this funding request and indicates viability
and sustainability.
Community networks
Increasingly, funding bodies seek evidence
of community participation and cooperation
between agencies working for similar goals
in the same community. You may be asked if
your application has been supported by any
other community organisations, in which case
any letters of support you’ve managed to gather
will be useful. You could be asked to provide
names and contact details of the supporting
organisation, or be asked for a written reference.
Seeking a formal written reference can take time
that you will not have control over, so bear that
in mind. It is always advisable, and considerate,
when asking for assistance from other people,
that you give them as much time as possible.
As mentioned repeatedly in this chapter,
partnership and community collaborations are
very well regarded by funding bodies. If you
haven’t developed these relationships, think
about the organisations that would have an
interest in the breakfast program in your local
community. A local PCYC, for example, may
assist the same children who will attend the
breakfast program and in all likelihood would be
very happy to support your funding proposal.
If you’re not sure where to start, speak to your
nearest community or neighbourhood centre.
Community centres are always very active in
inter-agency networking in their community, and
can include you in relevant networks. You could
ask them to lend their support to the funding
application, and to put you in touch with other
local agencies with an interest in the benefits of
your children’s breakfast program. Members of
local community networks support each other,
and in so doing increase community participation
and build sustainable communities – so join in!
31 Breakfast Every Day