Funding
It is a natural tendency for cash-strapped organizations to try to cut costs when designing a Getting Ahead initiative. While fiscal responsibility is important, so is having a safe place for investigators to fully discuss the carefully sequenced information. Removing barriers to attendance, building group identity and support, compensating investigators for their time and knowledge, and celebrating successes also require budgeting consideration.
Many Getting Ahead sponsors fund initiatives through grants from the United Way and local foundations as well as contributions from businesses.
In communities where there is more than one site offering Getting Ahead, collaborating on grant writing will relieve funders from receiving competing requests for the same program.
There are four books in the Getting Ahead series:
- Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By-World, the original workbook and accompanying Facilitator Notes. This is used in many institutions and communities, first published in 2004 and revised twice since then.
- Getting Ahead in the Workplace, for people preparing to enter the workforce and those in entry level jobs, published in 2015.
- Getting Ahead while Getting Out, the pre-release workbook and accompanying User Guide used by correctional facilitates, Bridges collaboratives and/or reentry programs. Published in 2015.
- Investigations into Economic Class in America, for first generation low-income post- secondary students, published in 2011.
Below are two sample budgets: one that includes the cost of payments to GA investigators and one that doesn’t. Payments are the highest line item in the budget so it’s necessary to provide two samples. The first sample includes the cost of payments to Getting Ahead Investigators. The complete rationale for paying investigators can be found in the Facilitator Notes for Getting Ahead. In short, investigators are paid because they act as a focus group that generates much needed information to planners in institutions and communities that design programs for people in poverty.
Two books in the GA series pay investigators and two don’t. The first two in the list above, Getting Ahead, the original workbook, and Getting Ahead in the Workplace do require that investigators be paid.
The two books that don’t pay investigators are Getting Ahead while Getting Out and Investigations into Economic Class in America. In prisons and colleges there is no mechanism for making payments for participation.
Sample Budget for Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World and Getting Ahead in the Workplace
| Line Item | Expense | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Payments: $25 per session, per investigator | $4,800 | $25/investigator x 16 sessions = $400/investigator 12 investigators x $400 = $4,800 |
| Getting Ahead workbooks | $239.40 | Workbook: $19.95 X 12 investigators (includes bulk discount; excludes tax, s/h) |
| Facilitator | Local decision | Getting Ahead facilitators are often volunteers, so there would be no cost. Some facilitators are employees with Getting Ahead as part of their duties. Some sites pay facilitators; we recommend facilitators be paid locally determined self-sufficient wages. Experience suggests that a facilitator will spend 75 hours recruiting, doing orientations, preparation for each session, conducting the groups, and doing data entry. Cofacilitators (when present) typically put in 60 hours. |
| Sponsor/coordinator | Local decision | The sponsoring organization has an administrative role in securing a location, managing a data-collection system, selecting and supporting the facilitators, writing grants, and more. |
| Supplies | Local decision | Necessary supplies: flip-chart paper, plain paper, manila folders for each investigator, pens, large supply of markers, graduation ceremony supplies. Optional supplies: calendars, inexpensive calculators, extra art supplies |
| Meeting space, transportation, childcare | Local decision | Most Getting Ahead sites find donated meeting space in libraries, community centers, and churches. Partnering organizations, volunteers, and Getting Ahead investigators often help with transportation and childcare. |
| Food | Local decision | Optional but highly recommended. Food brings people together, and if the sessions are in the evening, food is necessary. Partnering organizations and volunteers often provide the food. |
| Getting Ahead certified facilitator training (one-time cost) | $299 | On-site facilitator training also available. Online and in-person training includes the cost of the Getting Ahead workbook and accompanying facilitator notes. |
| Data collection, report writing, evaluation | Local decision | It’s highly recommended that Bridges and Getting Ahead initiatives collect data and conduct evaluations. National organizations provide affordable data-collection systems tailored for Getting Ahead. |
Sample Budget for Getting Ahead While Getting Out and Investigations into Economic Class in America
| Line Item | Expense | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Payments: $25 per session, per investigator |
Local decision $6,000 |
No payments are made in postsecondary sites. Most correctional facilities disallow payments, but please check with your facility. Even if allowed, payments to Getting Ahead While Getting Out participants are optional. $25/investigator x 29 sessions = $500/investigator 12 investigators x $500 = $6,000 |
| Getting Out workbooks
Investigations workbooks |
$239.40
$333.00 |
Workbook: $19.95 X 12 investigators (includes bulk discount; excludes tax, s/h) Workbook: $27.75 X 12 investigators (includes bulk discount; excludes tax, s/h) |
| Facilitator | Local decision | Getting Ahead facilitators are often volunteers, so there would be no cost. Some facilitators are employees/faculty. Some sites pay facilitators; we recommend facilitators be paid locally determined self-sufficient wages. Experience suggests that a facilitator will spend 75 hours recruiting, doing orientations, preparation for each session, conducting the groups, and doing data entry. Cofacilitators (when present) typically put in 60 hours. Budgets sometimes include reimbursement for mileage. |
| Sponsor/coordinator | Local decision | The sponsoring organization may recoup some of the cost assaciated with managing and coordinating Getting Out and/or Investigations. |
| Supplies | Local decision | Necessary supplies: flip-chart paper, plain paper, manila folders for each investigator, pens, large supply of markers, graduation ceremony supplies. Optional supplies: calendars, inexpensive calculators, extra art supplies |
| Meeting space, transportation, childcare | Local decision | No cost. Childcare and transportation are generally not offered. |
| Food | Local decision | Optional. Correctional facilities sometimes provide meals for the group, including the facilitators. Some prisons have allowed facilitators to bring in pizza. Even donuts are appreciated. Cost covered by partnering organizations.
Optional. On campus, food may be provided if budgets and time allow. |
| Getting Ahead certified facilitator training (one-time cost)
Getting Out certification (one-time cost) College Achievement Alliance (Investigations) certification (one-time cost) |
$299
$125 $795 |
On-site facilitator training also available. Online and in-person training includes the cost of the workbook and accompanying facilitator notes. |
| Data collection, report writing, evaluation | Local decision | It’s highly recommended that Bridges and Getting Ahead initiatives collect data and conduct evaluations. National organizations provide affordable data-collection systems tailored for Getting Ahead. |
For more information about the steps associated with launching a Getting Ahead initiative, click on the links below:
Ready to get started? Have questions? Call 800-424-9484 or request more information.