Funding Request
Last updated
Last updated
Phase II of the Child Safety Initiative (CSI) marks a transformative opportunity to improve how child safety is addressed nationwide. By investing in this pivotal stage, partners can help build the foundation for more robust education, reporting, and support systems to protect vulnerable children.
We are seeking a total of $1,000,000 to support Phase II, which includes $650,590 in direct costs and $349,410 allocated for long-term sustainability. These funds will drive strategic management, program development, and operational implementation, creating a lasting impact on how safety concerns are reported and addressed.
Fiscal Sponsor Fee:
The fiscal sponsor fee is excluded from this funding request to ensure that all allocated resources directly support the initiative’s objectives and long-term impact. The fee is expected to be covered as an additional cost, which will be outlined and billed separately.
Of the total funds, $349,410 is allocated to establish sustainability reserves, ensuring that CSI can focus the majority of its time and resources on advancing its charitable purpose—keeping children safe through education, improved reporting practices, and community engagement.
By establishing a strong sustainability fund, we can maintain operational stability and allocate resources more effectively, ensuring CSI’s efforts remain mission-driven and impactful during the transition into Phase III and beyond.
Theory of Effectuation
We have designed our Phase II budget using the Theory of Effectuation, emphasizing two core principles that help us maximize value while minimizing unnecessary expenditure.
Affordable Loss Principle:
Purpose: Maintain financial sustainability within reasonable limits.
Application: By capping Phase II investment at $1 million, we ensure effective deployment of resources to meet our objectives without risking overextension.
Bird in Hand Method:
Purpose: Leverage existing resources consistently and reduce reliance on secured funding.
Application: We prioritize internal expertise, networks, and tools before utilizing allocated capital. This resourcefulness fosters innovation and ensures that funds are reserved for challenges that require capital.
Preventing Overspending:
The $1 million budget serves as a strategic reserve, utilized only after exploring lower-cost or non-monetary solutions. For example, internal expertise will drive early-stage program development and training, reserving financial resources for technology deployment, stakeholder engagement, and outreach. This measured approach safeguards resources for challenges that cannot be solved without capital investment.
The Phase II budget is divided into three main categories—Management, Development, and Implementation—over a two-year period.
Management (35.4% / $229,999).
Development (20% / $130,000).
Implementation (44.6% / $290,591).
These allocations provide a sustainable framework for achieving Phase II goals and setting the stage for long-term success.
Management costs account for 35.4% of the total budget ($229,999), reflecting the strategic leadership and infrastructure needed to manage CSI.
Benefit Director (50%): $86,347
Oversees strategic direction, organizational operations, and ensures alignment with CSI’s mission while preparing annual benefit reports for transparency.
Benefits Allowance (50%): $15,652
Proportional benefits for the Benefit Director..
Legal ($15,000)
Covers compliance and regulatory requirements.
Office + Utilities ($30,000)
Maintains essential operational infrastructure.
Accounting ($10,000)
Supports financial management and stakeholder and tax reporting.
Operating Support ($55,000)
Flexible fund for travel, outreach, and other strategic necessities.
Rationale
Investments in management ensure CSI remains compliant, mission-focused, and transparent. Strategic leadership and operational resources enable the organization to function effectively..
Development costs represent 20% of the total budget ($130,000), providing the technological, research, and training groundwork for CSI’s success.
Developer ($35,000)
Initial investment in Year 1 ($30,000) supports front-loaded development of NORA’s technological platform, with minimal maintenance costs ($5,000) in Year 2.
Research, Training, and Development ($65,000)
Funds engagement with established community stakeholders to provide professional development opportunities and advance the fulfillment of CSI’s mission. These investments ensure access to high-quality expertise and resources that drive strategic progress..
Contingency ($25,000)
Allows for flexibility and risk mitigation, addressing unexpected development challenges.
Rationale
These investments ensure CSI has the infrastructure and tools to engage key stakeholders, strengthen community ties, further its mission to improve child safety reporting practices, and prepare for scalability in Phase III.
Implementation costs account for 44.6% of the total budget ($290,591), reflecting resources needed to operationalize CSI’s goals and engage stakeholders..
Managing Director (50%): $86,347
The Managing Director oversees daily operations, manages partnerships, and ensures the execution of CSI’s educational and outreach efforts. This role complements the Benefit Director by focusing on program execution.
Benefits Allowance (50%): $15,652
Proportional benefits for the Managing Director.
Training Media ($20,000)
Developed in Year 2 to create impactful educational materials for child safety reporting.
Facilitators (Part-Time): $60,000
Two part-time roles ($30,000 each) to deliver training and outreach in Year 2.
Demonstration Site ($20,000)
Funding in Year 1 supports a pilot site to test and refine reporting and training practices, providing critical insights for broader implementation.
Contingency ($25,000)
Flexibility for unanticipated challenges.
Rationale
Implementation costs directly drive CSI’s mission, from piloting efforts at a demonstration site to scaling training for broader impact.
Legacy Partners (LPs):
CSI seeks one to four LPs to support Phase II. LPs will serve as founding members, receiving prominent acknowledgment for their contributions.
Recognition:
Featured in CSI’s origin story.
Profiled on the National Online Reporting Assistant (NORA)’s “Legacy” page.
Highlighted on a dedicated page of CSI’s website.
Role:
LPs provide the capital needed to expand reporting education, improve reporting practices, and address systemic gaps in child protection. Additionally, LPs are asked to help expand the CSI network by making key introductions when possible or necessary. Founding LPs will also receive distinction for creating a sustainability fund to support CSI’s transition into Phase III, ensuring long-term impact.
Co-Branding Activities: As a mission-centered organization, we engage in limited external activities to remain focused on our charitable purpose. LPs are encouraged to promote their support of CSI’s child safety work through their channels, amplifying public awareness without demanding extensive marketing efforts from our team.