Financing guide
Your funding plan
Readiness: 0 of 13 yes or in process
Your plan fills in as you go.
Answer the readiness check at the end of each step. Start with step 1.
Your program
You haven’t told us about your program yet. Answer 3 questions
Funding streams to pursue
You haven’t added a funding stream yet. Choose your streams in step 3
Budget lines to add
You haven’t marked these system costs as covered in your budget.
- Program evaluation
Initial baseline and ongoing child, provider, and classroom outcome tracking. - Database and IT systems
Clinical database development, tele-consultation builds, and IT updates. - Technology subscriptions
Internet and database licenses. - Reflective supervision
Clinical supervision required for model fidelity and consultant retention. - Equity-focused reviews
Culturally responsive job descriptions, interviewing, and onboarding audits. - Marketing and public outreach
Outreach, marketing, and community engagement to build program awareness.
Work on these before you ask
Items you mark No or In process will show up on this list.
When you’re ready to ask
- 1. Choose your messenger
Pick the person the funder already knows.See how - 2. Put your case on one or two pages
Write it for someone who’s new to the issue.See how - 3. Practice the eight questions
Know your answers before the meeting.See how - 4. Make the ask
Be concrete and tell a real story.See how - 5. Follow up
Thank the funder within 24 hours and prepare for the next ask.See how
Disclaimer
This guide points to funding strategies described in the Center’s Financing Guidance (2016) and Financing FAQ (2025) and to resources on this site. It does not determine eligibility for any funding stream. Requirements vary by state. The Guidance’s federal funding details are as of July 2016.
