Budget Narrative
A budget narrative is included with your budget to explain in words what your numbers really mean.
How did you reach your numbers? What is important for the grant funder to understand that your numbers can't fully explain?
Sometimes this document is included on a different page or on the bottom of the budget sheet. It doesn't need to be lengthy, but should be precise and accurate.
It is also a good idea to include an 'introduction' or preface to your budget. Sometimes, this is within the body of the proposal (if called for by the funder's format) or can be at the top of the budget sheet.
Sample excerpt for budget narrative:
'The total cost of running Basic Youth Program is $xx,xxx, and includes personnel costs, nonpersonnel costs, and indirect costs. The full amount is requested from ABC Foundation.
Three YouthOne employees and two consultants are the personnel required for the program. It is estimated that the program director, whose salary is $xx,xxx, will spend 20% of his time in the next year running the program, for a total of $x,xxx.'
The narrative will continue to explain your line items and refer to important points for your funder. Pay attention to any specific questions you need to answer about the budget from your funder's guidelines.
Work closely with your program staff and finance department to get an accurate explanation of how your budget will be spent. Make sure your funder can understand what you are saying and don't assume that they know finance jargon.
Special thanks to Webster's New World Grant Writing Handbook by Sara Deming Wason for the narrative excerpt.
~Cheers!
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