Costing program development expenses

In smaller programs, development activities and costs are usually nominal and borne by the preparer of the program. In larger programs, however, preparatory and planning activities may be extensive and costs can be substantial.

In most cases major donors accept such development expenses as legitimate program costs.

• Estimate the cost of bringing in a consultant to help with program design and proposal write-up.
• Estimate the cost of word-processing and document preparation.
• Estimate the cost of arranging any meetings needed to finalize program details.
• Estimate the cost of doing any background research or survey worked needed to document and support the program design.
• Estimate the cost of communication related to program preparation such as electronic mail, faxes, and long distance telephone calls.
• Estimate the cost of presenting the program plan to potential funding agencies.
• Estimate the cost of labor and honoraria for the design and planning of the program and for the write-up of the funding proposal.

Here are some hints and suggestions for budgeting development costs:

• If the bottom-line value of the proposed program is between $100,000 and $250,000, you should consider bringing in an experienced consultant to help you with program design and proposal preparation.
• If the program value is likely to be greater than $500,000, you should plan to include an experienced specialist in program design and proposal writing. This kind of expertise will give credibility to your program design.
• If you expect someone from the field to be involved in making presentations to potential donors, you should include the cost of at least two international trips plus related expenses for 2-4 months.
• The larger the program, the greater the need for careful documentation and baseline data.

• Funding a literacy program
• Preparing a budget for a literacy program

• Task module: Costing program development expenses
• In task module: Determining preparation and training costs
• In task module: Costing a literacy program
• In task module: Preparing a budget for a literacy program
• In task module: Funding a literacy program, by Stephen L. Walter and Trudy K. Stewart (general editor)
• In task module: Identifying resources needed for a literacy progra..., by Stephen L. Walter
• In task module: Planning a literacy program, by Stephen L. Walter
• In modular book: Plan a literacy program, by Stephen L. Walter, Barbara K. Trudell (contributor), and Trudy K. Stewart (general editor)
• In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 18 May 1999

© 1999 SIL International