17 March 2026
Your project budget explains exactly what the grant money will be used for. The budget includes details of all funding that will contribute to the project (income) and the cost of all the items required for the project (expenditure).
Hints for making a good project budget
- Start with a project plan, so you can identify everything you need for your project
- Clearly explain and provide specific details for each item in separate lines
- Obtain and attach quotes for each item over $1,000
- List all forms of funding contributing towards your project
- Don’t over or underestimate your project costs
- The income total and the expenditure total must be equal
Sample budget
Budget Expenditure
Expenditure Category | Expenditure detailed description | Amount (Ex GST) | How will you pay for these items? | Please attach quotes for items over $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Construction Related | Construction of kitchen | $75,000 | North East Community Fund | Filename: kitchen quote |
Construction Related | Construction of kitchen | $30,000 | Fundraising | Filename: kitchen quote |
Fitout expenses | Appliances | $15,000 | Other grant funding | Filename: Harvey Norman quote |
Fees and permits | Council application fee | $1600 | Organisation cash | Filename: Building permit quote |
Salaries and wages | Project management | $3400 | In-kind contribution | In kind contribution calculation |
Salaries and wages | Labour | $900 | In-kind contribution | In kind contribution calculation |
Total | $121,900 | |||
Budget Income
Income Type | Income Description | Confirmed Funding | Income Amount ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
Government Grants | North East Community Fund | Unconfirmed | $75,000 |
Fundraising | Organisation fundraising event | Unconfirmed | $30,000 |
Other grant funding | Philanthropic Grant | Confirmed | $15,000 |
Organisation cash contribution | Happy Hubbers | Confirmed | $1,600 |
Total | $121,600 | ||
In-kind support
What "in-kind" support is being provided towards the project? | Who is providing the in-kind support | $ value of in-kind support | Confirmed? | Please attach evidence of in-kind contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Project Management | Happy Hubbers | $3400 | Confirmed | In kind contribution calculation |
Promotion and marketing | Happy Hubbers | $900 | Confirmed | In kind contribution calculation |
Total | $4300 | |||
Budget tools
Total Income Amount | Total In-Kind Income Amount | Total Expenditure Amount | Income - Expenditure |
|---|---|---|---|
$121,600 | $4300 | $125,900 | $0.00 |
Note: Income and Expenditure must balance
If you have any queries, please contact the North East Community Fund team via email communityfund@northeastlink.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 105 105.