Who this review is for
This engagement suits nonprofit teams with a developed application budget and a draft narrative. It is especially useful where several programme leads supplied figures, the funder uses strict cost categories, or the request includes staff allocations, travel, participant support, subgrants or shared overheads.
What we examine
We trace each material line to a planned activity and test quantities, frequencies, unit rates and calculations. The review checks that the narrative answers the practical questions a funder is likely to ask: why the cost is necessary, how the amount was estimated, when it will be incurred and whether it is reasonable for the proposed work.
Included are:
- a reading of the funding call and published budget rules;
- reconciliation between the workbook, narrative and programme timetable;
- comments on allowability, allocation methods and value-for-money explanations;
- a marked-up budget justification with suggested wording where useful;
- a prioritised findings note separating required corrections from judgement calls; and
- a 45-minute call with up to three members of your team.
We do not rewrite the whole grant application, certify expenditure, provide an audit opinion or decide programme strategy. Tax, employment and legal advice remain outside scope.
How the engagement runs
After a short scoping call, you send the call document, programme narrative, budget workbook and current justification through an agreed secure transfer method. The lead reviewer completes a first pass for structure and compliance, then a detailed trace of significant costs. A second reviewer checks the main findings before documents are returned.
Normal turnaround is four to six South African business days. Applications above R10 million, multi-country budgets or documents requiring translation are quoted separately and may need more time.
Preparing the file
Keep formulas visible, identify the currency and show the source or date of key rates. Highlight unresolved figures instead of burying them. Remove beneficiary names, identity numbers and health information; aggregated programme information is sufficient for budget review.
Next step
Send the funder name, deadline, approximate request value and current draft stage. We will confirm availability, scope and a written fee before you commission the work.