Whether your health center is pursuing a $5,000 grant or a multi-million-dollar federal award, creating a solid, funder-aligned budget is essential. Budgeting is more than just number crunching. It is a strategic part of your overall grant application. To help you make the most of your time and effort, here are some common budget mistakes health centers make when applying for grants, along with practical ways to avoid them.
1. Failing to Thoroughly Read the NOFO
Your financial team must understand more than the budget rules. They need to grasp the funder’s intent, priorities, and expectations outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Skipping this step can lead to misaligned budgets and missed opportunities.
2. Creating the Budget in a Silo
Applying for a grant is a collaborative process. Budget, narrative, work plan, and deliverables must all align. Bring in leadership, program staff, and finance early in the process to ensure consistency and compliance.
3. Ignoring Provided Budget Templates
Using the funder’s required templates ensures you meet formatting expectations. It also makes it easier for reviewers to evaluate your submission quickly and fairly.
4. Overcomplicating the Budget
If allowed by the NOFO, keep your budget simple and focused. For most health centers, staffing is the largest cost because it directly supports program delivery. Once you have addressed personnel needs, allocate remaining funds to support the additional aspects of your program.
5. Lack of Line-Item Detail
Funder reviewers should not have to guess how funds will be used. Avoid vague entries like “Supplies – $5,000.” Be specific. List out medical supplies, outreach materials, or other items with unit costs and clear justifications.
6. Calculation Errors
Embedded Excel formulas and rounding issues are common pitfalls. Before submission, verify all numbers using a basic calculator to catch errors and ensure accuracy.
Want help preparing a funder-aligned budget? Learn more about our grant writing services at Burrows Consulting.
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