Project Budget Preparation
Questions to Ask Yourself

Your project budget is an important part of your proposal. You need to carefully evaluate your needs and make sure you have what you need for the project to succeed.

Is my grant being submitted to justify the purchase of equipment? Sometimes we see "equipment in search of a proposal" rather than a proposal that requires equipment.

Is the equipment already available in my building? somewhere else in the district? Check with your principal before requesting equipment/ materials that may already be in place.

Have I provided materials for all of the students/staff who will be involved? Carefully calculate the amount of material that will be needed to serve all of the students you hope to reach.

Is it clear in my proposal how the budgeted materials will be used to support the grant? At times we reach the end of a proposal and look at the budget and only then realize that equipment or materials will be needed. The budget is not the place to add in components to your program that were not already delineated in your grant request.

Does my request meet LTEF criteria? The Foundation does not pay salary stipends or for the cost of substitutes for release time/field trips.

What will the shipping & handling costs be? These "hidden" costs can be a problem later. Think about them now and include them in your budget.

Is someone else paying part of the cost? Please indicate if someone else (PTO, school, community partner, other granting entity) is paying for part of the expenses of the project.

Does it add up? Check your math to be sure that your budget adds up.

Round up! Round your total request up to the nearest dollar.

Email Diane Senerth with budget questions at info@ltefnj.org.