Federal Grant Budget Builder — Spreadsheet + Narrative That Foots Every Time

The fastest way to lose a federal grant isn't a weak idea — it's a budget that doesn't hold up. One line that contradicts your narrative, one indirect rate that's two years out of date, and a cost analyst quietly moves you to the "no" pile before anyone reads your vision.Most budget templates you'll find free were written for the old rules — 10% indirect, $5,000 equipment. They're quietly wrong. This one isn't.What you get:The fastest way to lose a federal grant isn't a weak idea — it's a budget that doesn't hold up. One line that contradicts your narrative, one indirect rate that's two years out of date, and a cost analyst quietly moves you to the "no" pile before anyone reads your vision.Most budget templates you'll find free were written for the old rules — 10% indirect, $5,000 equipment. They're quietly wrong. This one isn't.What you get:- A budget spreadsheet (.csv — Excel/Google Sheets) with every federal object-class category and an MTDC flag on each line, plus a worked example that foots exactly: Direct → MTDC → 15% indirect → Grand Total. No mystery math.- A budget narrative template that justifies every number as allowable, allocable, and reasonable (2 CFR 200) — so your words never contradict your spreadsheet. Worked example, common-mistakes list, and an AI drafting prompt that can't invent numbers.- Built on the current rules: up-to-15% de minimis indirect (2 CFR 200.414, awards on/after Oct 1, 2024) and the $10,000 equipment threshold — the exact figures most free templates still get wrong.For freelance grant writers and small nonprofits who need a federal-grade budget without hiring a CPA.Straight talk: it's an educational template with illustrative numbers — swap in your real, documented figures, and your NOFO always beats any template. No tool can guarantee an award. This one just makes sure your budget isn't the reason you lose.Pairs with The Federal Grant Proposal Kit — together they cover the whole application.

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