- Glossary
- Print
- Search

- Budget
- Donors
- Cash
- Staffing
- Systems
- Controls

# Overview

A budget is a financial plan showing the resources needed to achieve programme goals within the given period. A budget is one of the best tools we have for planning and monitoring what we do.

Aim

Your aim should be a budget that:

- is sufficiently detailed and as accurate as possible
- has the approval of your managers, donors and colleagues
- clearly separates the income expected from each donor
- includes all the resources your programme needs
- provides useful information for you to run your programme

Key questions before leaving head office

- What is the approximate size of the budget and what is its status? More
- Which donor is funding what? See Donors section
- How will the budget be developed? More
- Who will manage the budget? More
- Who will monitor the budget? More

Who needs to be convinced by the budget?

The budget should be shared with three key groups:

- those who will approve it
- those who will fund it
- those who will implement it

It's easy to see why the first two groups need to understand the budget. But it is important to share it with your team (and others) so they are aware of what you are meant to be doing and the money you have to achieve it.