Administrative Funding

Administrative costs include all funds required to maintain the operating overhead of the project including: a full time project administrator, administrative assistant/secretary, office rent, phone, mail, printing, travel and other miscellaneous administrative costs. The total financial need for the project administrative costs per year is currently $52,438.

Current Watershed Administrative Cost/Year

Description Unit Cost Total Annual Cost
(1995 Dollars)

Administrator $17/hr, 40 hrs./wk $35,360

Secretary $8.63/hr, 19.5 hrs/wk $8,750

Office Rent $250/month $3,000

Phone, Mail, Misc. $444/month $5,328

Total - $52,438

The project's short-term goal is to meet current operating costs; however, for planning purposes a budget has been drafted which would accommodate a full-time salary and benefits for the project administrator, and an increase in hours for the administrative assistant/secretary. The total annual operating cost under the proposed planning budget will be $82,940.

The increase in salary for the administrator is deemed necessary by the funding committee to break the cycle of turnover in the administrator position. It is important that the community be able to identify one individual as the primary contact person for the project. The proposed administrator salary and benefits will attract a highly-qualified individual willing to make a long-term commitment to the project.

The proposed increase in hours for the project secretary/administrative assistant is in response to the planned growth of the Project, and possible down-sizing of agency-provided staff.

Planned Operation Funding Needs

Description Unit Cost Total Annual Cost
(1995 Dollars)

Administrator 40,000/yr salary $40,000

Administrator Benefits $12,000/yr $12,000

Secretary $9/hr, 32 hrs/wk $15,000

Office Rent $250/month $3,000

Phone, Mail, Misc. $450/month $5,400

Subtotal - $75,400

Inflation over 5 years (10%) - $7,540

Total - $82,940

Administrative Funding Strategy Time-Line

1996 1999 2001 2006+

Track One:
1996 Nonpoint Source Grant
with match.

Track Two:
Distribute planned administrative costs
among stakeholders and agencies

Track Three:
Capital campaign to build an endowment
to permanently fund operating costs.

Track Four:
Operate from endowment interest.

The administrative funding strategy includes several tracks; some of which will be pursued concurrently. Track one represents a transition period toward the end of dependence on federal grants for administrative costs. Pending the arrival of funds from U.S. EPA, a 1996 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant request will satisfy the project's funding needs at current levels for two and one quarter fiscal years. In addition, grant requests will be submitted to philanthropic organizations in order to provide a match to the 1996 Nonpoint Source Grant. The grant funds with match will cover a total of three years of administrative costs.

Track two represents an alternative strategy if the 1996 Nonpoint Source Grant funds are not awarded, and a means to supplement the operating budget beyond three years if time is needed to build a permanent source of funding. Simply put, this track would involve dividing the administrative needs of the project between local government, stakeholders and participating agencies.

Track three represents a building campaign toward financial sustainability for the watershed project. Over the course of three to five years, efforts will be focused on building an endowment. This endowment will likely be housed by a community foundation with experience and resources sufficient to manage the endowment fund. This endowment will be raised with the support of local donors including individuals, businesses, and organizations. Endowment grants will also be requested from philanthropic organizations. Once the endowment goal has been reached, the project will enter a period of self-sustained growth, track four. Interest earned from the endowment will fund administrative costs.

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