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Notes on the Budget



I took a stab at creating Nation1's, one year operating budget below. The
rents for office spaces in New York City are very high. I looked into 2
types of spaces: first, commercial real state prices for nonprofit
organizations in midtown and lower Manhattan areas, for roughly 2,000 square
feet of space -- a space that might accommodate 4-5 staff members plus
meeting spaces -- cost between $75 to $140 per square foot, depending on
lease and location. Second type of space, for non profit organizations
through a nonprofit real estate locator, found spaces for between $20 to $45
per square foot. I calculated Nation1 space costs (rent) at $25 per square
foot, thinking that you could find a "friendly" landlord or corporation that
can house Nation1 -- not totally out of the question.


Staff salaries in the New York nonprofit sector vary less widely. Databases
at Fund for the City of NY, Foundation center and the Nonprofit Coordinating
Committee of NY were searched, along with printed publications from local
nonprofit organizations such as Regional Association of Grantmakers, National
Society of Fund Raising Executives, among others. Executive salaries for
first year youth and community development, nonprofit organizations in New
York City ranged from a low of $45,000 to a high of $89,000. Those with
specialized advanced degrees or relevant (3+ years) experience commanded an
average of $60,000. I kept the Nation1 ED's salary at $60K, but this may
have to be increased depending on the quality of applicants who apply to
advertisements. I added a clerical assistant at $28,000 (slightly higher
than average of $24,800). The fringe benefit rates for NY nonprofits are not
fixed, but hover near 25%; thats where I kept it for Nation1. Fringe benefit
rate needs to budgeted into any salary calculations because of US federal
state taxes and health benefit rates need to be paid for full time employees.


Other budget categories listed are based on what I know to be true for
nonprofits operating in NYC. There is some room for improving the final
total of $722,300, but not by much.