How do you show sustainability and leverage in your grant budget?

One of the most important things that I've learned in grant writing is the value of thinking through how equity in budgeting will be sustained beyond the lifetime of the grant. For example, ensuring that organizational budgets shift over time to reflect the same kind of investments that are being made in grant applications is essential to show that it's not just through grant funds that you are working towards this goal, but in fact will go beyond the grant award period. This goes a long way towards long-term sustainability.

Does anyone have a Sustainability Statement template or examples to hand that can used as a starter for ten? Is there a standard format that has been successful before that can be followed?

Many federal grants as well as state grants include in their application requirements for demonstrating the sustainability of a proposed project or activity after the grant program concludes. Too often, applications contain poorly thought out or highly generalized statements about it will be sustained without offering specificity or clear plan of action. Grant writers should use this question on an application as an opportunity to develop a clear business and resource plan for the long term once initial grant is spent involving stakeholders and beneficiaries in the effort. It is accurate to convey to them that the application is not likely to be funded without a coherent and reasoned plan to encourage and induce future support.

It really depends on what kind of grant proposal it is. If it is for a project with expenses that won't need to be sustained after the project is finished, demonstrating the longevity of the organization and its record of having accomplished projects within their assigned budgets may be important. If you have worked with this grantor before, you will have a track record to point to. If you have not, then providing a list of "references" for example, previous successful grant-funded projects and the source of their funding. Showing that you have the staff resources to accomplish this project and how much they will contribute to the project during its allotted time is helpful--a percent of their time over x years, for example.

Not all projects should generate income, savings or revenue. Many are to solve a problem or create new knowledge. One of my researchers is working to create a biodegradable plastic-like product and a goal of generating income, savings or revenue would be inappropriate for his work. He is working to solve a problem and create new knowledge in how to use agricultural waste products to create biodegradable packaging materials. While the generate income model will work great for my Arts Council events, it's not an answer for all funding proposals.

Over time I've come to truly realize how collaborations within grant budgets can serve as powerful demonstrations of sustainability. By pooling resources, expertise, and networks, collaborators can maximize the impact of limited funds, ensuring that project outcomes extend far beyond the grant period. These partnerships foster knowledge exchange, innovation, and shared responsibility, laying the groundwork for long-term solutions to sustainability challenges. Moreover, by leveraging diverse perspectives and skills, collaborations create resilient frameworks capable of adapting to evolving needs and contexts, ultimately promoting lasting positive change.

Letters of support are the best way to show additional buy-in to the funding institution. If you can provide evidence that KOLs and other groups are interested in your project, a funding institution will provide a favorable review because your progress isn’t limited to non-dilutive capital.

It’s important to provide the information necessary. For the SBIR program, you can showcase previously raised funds as well as letters of intent. While letters of intent for matching funds can be seen as advantageous, they’re are most definitely not required for early stage applications.

If the sponsor doesn't have a form, create one. Categories I suggest are: Salaries + fringe, equipment (permanent), travel [use Federal or State allowable rates (or less) & show how you arrived at the total for travel], materials & supplies, printing, contractual (facility rent, catering, speaker fees, etc) and other. Then you MUST include a well written narrative/justification for the costs - what are you going to do with the money and why it is necessary. Always assume the ONLY thing the sponsor knows about your project is what you tell them in these written documents. Be thorough, and succinct. Follow the sponsor's rules. If they won't fund travel, don't ask for travel funds. Read the RFP, read it again & know it!

I agree if the grantor has a form for the budget--or anything--follow it. You should write well, but straightforwardly and clearly. As a long-time reader of grant proposals, I can tell you there is nothing more frustrating than searching through reams of wonderful poetic but slightly obtuse writing for the answer to the question that was asked. And, if there is anything in the budget that may seem unusual, make a note to explain it. An unanswered question about the budget can throw evaluators off base and make them suspicious of everything else. If you have an expense in the budget, make sure that the item is somehow accounted for in the narrative. Everything in the budget should be able to be tied back to the project narrative.

When it comes to all federal grants and most state grants, there is a federal statute termed, Program Income. Generally, the federal rule sets forth that if income is derived directly from the project or activity being funded by a federal grant then such income is considered Program Income and it must be used in support of the project or activity. When it comes to sustainability of a project or activity after the grant is completed, Program Income can be an acceptable resource to demonstrate sustainability. However, it is imperative in the application that you acknowledge it is Program Income and that you will request appropriate authorization for the Grantor federal agency to use such income in support of the project or activity.