BUDGET NARRATIVE — TEMPLATE

Free template from Freelance Ops Kit — https://freelanceopskit.com/templates/budget-narrative-template/
A blank outline, not a filled-in example. Replace each bracketed instruction with your own content, then delete the brackets.

[Project title] | [Funder name]

## Introduction
[2-3 sentences: what the bulk of this request covers, the total project cost, the amount requested from this funder, and whether this is a partial or full project budget.]

## Personnel
[One paragraph per role charged to this grant — the title, the approximate percentage of time charged, and why that role is necessary to the project.]

## Fringe Benefits
[State the fringe rate used and what it covers (e.g., payroll tax, health insurance, retirement) — or write "Not applicable to this request" if there is none.]

## Travel
[State the purpose of any project-related travel and how the cost was calculated (e.g., mileage rate, number of trips) — or write "Not applicable to this request."]

## Equipment
[List each item that meets your funder's capitalization threshold (check that funder's specific policy — thresholds vary), what it costs, and why it's necessary to carry out the project. Items below the threshold belong in Supplies & Materials instead. Write "Not applicable to this request" if there is none.]

## Supplies & Materials
[List what's being purchased and why each item is necessary to carry out the project, not just what it costs.]

## Contractual/Consultants
[Name who's being contracted, what service they provide, and why a contractor rather than staff — or write "Not applicable to this request."]

## Other
[Describe any direct cost that doesn't fit the categories above (e.g., training costs, participant costs, publication fees) and why it's necessary to the project — or write "Not applicable to this request" if there is none.]

## Indirect Costs
[State the indirect cost rate used, what it covers, and the funder's cap on indirect costs, if one applies.]

## In-Kind/Matching
[Describe any in-kind contributions or matching funds included in this budget — or state plainly that none apply, rather than leaving this section blank with no explanation.]

## Budget Summary
[2-3 sentences restating the total project cost, the amount requested from this funder, and any other confirmed or pending funding sources — in words, not a table.]