Writing the Grant Part 3: Budget, Budget Justification/Narrative, & Sustainability Plan

Final Project: Writing the Grant Part 3: Budget, Budget Justification/Narrative, & Sustainability Plan

Constructing a budget requires time and attention to detail. This section of the grant proposal should include the narrative or justification and the financial details associated with funding the project. While the tabulated costs address the financial requirements associated with the budget, the narrative or justification should explain anything that is not apparent in the itemized budget. Be careful not to get redundant with the budget narrative. It is best to review examples to understand the required balance. Finally, as you consider developing your budget, make sure that you have fully examined the requirements of the RFP. Determine the timeline of the grant as well as your activity timeline and management plan to ensure you have covered all the nuances of project work that has associated costs. Ask yourself: Does this budget reflect all activities? Are all the project costs as well as the in-kind donations and volunteer resources documented? Is this budget realistic?

For this Assignment:

· Review the Final Project Guidelines provided in this module’s Learning Resources.

· Carefully review the Learning Resources focused on project budgets. You also may find additional online information from reputable grant-related organizations.

· With consideration to feedback in Discussion 1 that you received from colleagues and your Instructor, and to your continued evaluation of the literature and funder guidelines, finalize your project Budget, Budget Narrative, and Sustainability Plan.

For your Assignment:

Part I: Budget Template

· Use the budget template provided in the Learning Resources.

· Fill in the budget template for your project.

Note:  Rationale for costs will be provided in the budget narrative.

Note 2:  Budget line items should consider the non-personnel and personnel resources listed in the methodology section.

Part II: Budget Narrative and Sustainability Plan

· The Budget Narrative expands on the line items of the budget, providing a reviewer detail and justification for how you arrived at the projected dollar amounts. For example: If hiring a consultant for $2,000 is a line item, the narrative might explain that this is based on 40 hours @ $50/hour.

· The Sustainability Plan explains how your agency plans to continue operating this program once the funding has run out.

· It also indicates where future funding and other resources might be obtained.

Note:  All relevant cost issues from the budget are addressed in the sustainability plan.

The project, "Enhancing Sickle Cell Disease Care through Comprehensive Provider Education and Patient Access Initiatives," aims to address significant barriers faced by individuals with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). The project will focus on two main goals: increasing healthcare provider knowledge about SCD in underserved communities and improving patient access to quality care and education in low-income communities. These goals will be achieved through targeted educational programs for healthcare providers and patient-focused initiatives that provide comprehensive care plans and resources.

Budget

Personnel

· Project Manager: $75,000

· Healthcare Educators (2): $120,000

· Administrative Assistant: $40,000

· Total Personnel: $235,000

Fringe Benefits (25% of Personnel Costs)

· Project Manager: $18,750

· Healthcare Educators (2): $30,000

· Administrative Assistant: $10,000

· Total Fringe Benefits: $58,750

Travel

· Local Travel for Educators (monthly visits to clinics): $12,000

· Conference Travel (2 conferences per year for 3 staff): $9,000

· Total Travel: $21,000

Supplies

· Educational Materials (books, pamphlets, online resources): $10,000

· Office Supplies: $5,000

· Total Supplies: $15,000

Training and Workshops

· Provider Training Programs (certification courses, workshops): $20,000

· Patient Education Workshops: $10,000

· Total Training and Workshops: $30,000

Other Direct Costs

· Facility Rentals for Workshops and Training Sessions: $5,000

· Marketing and Outreach: $10,000

· Technology (software for virtual training and patient tracking): $15,000

· Total Other Direct Costs: $30,000

Indirect Costs (10% of Total Direct Costs)

· Total Indirect Costs: $38,785

Total Budget

· Total Direct Costs: $389,750

· Total Indirect Costs: $38,785

· Total Project Cost: $428,535

Budget Narrative

Personnel: The Project Manager will oversee all aspects of the project, ensuring alignment with goals and objectives. Two Healthcare Educators will conduct training sessions for providers and patients. An Administrative Assistant will support the project’s administrative needs.

Fringe Benefits: Fringe benefits are calculated at 25% of personnel costs to cover health insurance, retirement benefits, and other employee-related expenses.

Travel: Local travel is necessary for monthly visits to clinics in underserved communities to provide hands-on training and support. Conference travel will allow staff to stay updated with the latest SCD care advancements and network with other professionals.

Supplies: Educational materials, including books, pamphlets, and online resources, will be used in training sessions. Office supplies are needed for day-to-day operations.

Training and Workshops: Funds will support provider training programs to certify healthcare providers in SCD management and patient education workshops to empower patients with knowledge about their condition.

Other Direct Costs: Facility rentals for workshops and training sessions, marketing and outreach efforts to promote the programs, and technology expenses for virtual training and patient tracking are necessary to implement the project.

Indirect Costs: Indirect costs are calculated at 10% of total direct costs to cover administrative expenses not directly attributable to the project.

Sustainability Plan

To ensure the sustainability of the project beyond the initial funding period, we will:

1. Establish Partnerships: Build strong collaborations with local healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and community groups to share resources and continue the initiatives.

2. Seek Additional Funding: Apply for additional grants from foundations and government agencies, and explore corporate sponsorships and donations.

3. Implement a Fee-for-Service Model: For some training programs, introduce a nominal fee for participation, which can help sustain the program financially.

4. Develop Volunteer Programs: Engage volunteers, including medical students and retired healthcare professionals, to support training and patient education efforts.

5. Leverage Technology: Use online platforms to continue offering virtual training sessions and patient education resources, reducing the need for physical facilities and travel.

By following this sustainability plan, we aim to maintain and expand the project's impact, ensuring ongoing support for healthcare providers and SCD patients in underserved and low-income communities.

Assessment by Frances Elizabeth Mills

Close Rubric

HLTH_6207_Module4_Assignment2_Rubric
HLTH_6207_Module4_Assignment2_Rubric
Criteria	Ratings	Pts
Writing quality	20 to >17 pts Excellent Demonstrated correct spelling, proper grammar, and sentence structure AND Statements normally requiring references or citations were always validated with the source 17 to >15 pts Above Average Occasional minor spelling, grammar, or sentence structure errors BUT Statements normally requiring references or citations were always validated with the source 15 to >13 pts Average Occasional minor spelling, grammar, or sentence structure errors AND Most, but not all, statements normally requiring references or citations were validated with the source 13 to >11 pts Fair Frequent spelling, grammar, or sentence structure errors AND/OR Statements normally requiring references or citations were not always validated with the source 11 to >0 pts Poor Regardless of spelling, grammar, or sentence structure errors, statements normally requiring references or citations were not validated with the source	11 / 20 pts
Content Completeness and Relevance	40 to >37 pts Excellent Content included all of the required components as per the assignment instructions and was fully relevant to the topic 37 to >31 pts Above Average Content included all of the required components as per the assignment instructions and was usually relevant to the topic 31 to >27 pts Average Some minor content was missing OR Content was not always fully relevant to the topic 27 to >23 pts Fair Some major content items were missing OR Content was often irrelevant to the topic or too vague 23 to >0 pts Poor Multiple content items were missing OR Content was very off topic or very vague	27 / 40 pts
Critical application	40 to >37 pts Excellent Explanations were analytical, and insightful AND Connections were clearly made between ideas and how they were or could be applied 37 to >31 pts Above Average All or most explanations were analytical, and insightful AND Connections were almost always made between ideas and how they were or could be applied 31 to >27 pts Average Some analysis or some insight of the topic was present BUT Connections were not always made between ideas and how they were or could be applied 27 to >23 pts Fair Little analysis or limited insight of the topic was present AND/OR Connections were not often made between content and applicability 23 to >0 pts Poor No analysis or insight of the topic was present AND/OR No connections made to apply what was learned	31 / 40 pts
Total Points: 69