Step 2 of 5
Price it
Bring an itemized budget that covers direct and indirect costs. The funder shouldn’t have to do any work to figure out what your program costs.
What you’ll do in this step
- Run your numbers in the cost calculator.
- Add the system costs that programs often miss.
- Set your overall target and how you’ll reach it.
Start with the cost calculator
ZERO TO THREE built the IECMHC Cost Calculator in partnership with Georgetown University. It identifies and calculates the costs of a consultation program. You can use it for budget planning and grant proposals.
Add the costs programs often miss
These six system costs are commonly overlooked. Select the ones your budget already covers. We’ll put the rest on your plan.
Your budget covers 0 of 6. The other 6 are on your plan.
The standard budget lines
Our Financing Guidance lists nine lines to consider:
- Consultant’s salary plus fringe benefits
- Rent or occupancy for the consultant within the organization
- Telephone and connectivity
- Supplies and office equipment
- Travel to and from centers and homes
- Training costs
- General and central administrative supervision
- Reflective supervision
- Endorsement or licensure fees for the consultant to maintain credentials
Why a cost model strengthens your request
A cost model shows the full fiscal landscape of a consultation system as funding shifts and workforce needs change. It strengthens requests to legislators, state agencies, and philanthropic partners because it surfaces the aspirational elements that might otherwise go unfunded. It also puts numbers on consultant retention and reflective supervision.
Two tools do this work: the ZERO TO THREE cost calculator (September 2024) and Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies.
Check your readiness
1 of 3: Financial management
Do you have a clear and realistic budget?
