Preparing a grant application? Check that the budget covers the same program the narrative describes.

A fictional example: the narrative proposes six community sessions, but the budget still includes room hire for four. Before changing the figures, ask the program owner to confirm the intended session count.

Then work through the mismatch: • Check room hire, facilitator time and materials against the agreed activities and dates • Separate costs that repeat per session from one-off costs; moving from four sessions to six does not mean every budget line rises by 50% • Have the budget owner review the revised total and requested amount under the funder's current instructions and your organization's approval process • Compare the final narrative, budget export and application fields against the same approved scope and versions

A one-time design fee might stay unchanged while room hire increases. Record that assumption and its source so the reviewer can follow the calculation. Keep any unresolved cost or scope question with its owner and next action.

Shown: the actual “Prepare evidence and documents” worksheet from the Grant Application Readiness Bundle. Its budget check asks whether the period, total, request and narrative agree. The six-versus-four scenario above is a new fictional illustration.

The five-file digital bundle includes an eight-page editable Word packet, matching print PDF, Excel checklist and evidence register, fictional completed example and Quick Start. Designed for Microsoft Word and Excel; PDFs are static print copies.

A manual application-preparation tool. Use current official funder instructions; the bundle does not determine eligibility, submit applications or promise funding.

Get the bundle: https://contra.com/payment-link/vNBwGLE1-grant-application-readiness-bundle

I tested the Prepare App with 10 people. The thing I was proudest of didn’t work. Prepare turns the forecast into “here’s what to wear and pack.” For V0.1 I designed illustrated backgrounds to convey conditions at a glance. In 10 user interviews, they told people almost nothing. I removed them completely 😮‍💨 . What people actually told me: 1️⃣ They want the "why" - A recommendation alone wasn’t enough. They wanted the underlying forecast data (feels-like, wind, precipitation timing) to trust what to wear. 2️⃣ They want a reference - People wanted to see what the right clothes look like, not just read a list. 3️⃣ They don't plan one day at a time - Most look at the week or weekend, especially with an event coming up. One participant told me they plan their weekend on Tuesday, and any shopping has to fit into an already busy week. That last one changed my roadmap. Planning for tomorrow is a small problem. Planning ahead, with time to shop, is the bigger one. So what’s coming next: 🟦 Deeper forecast detail behind every recommendation 🟦 Day and Week views 🟦 Custom packs, including items that appear only when conditions call for them. 🟦 Clothing references and suggestions 🟦 Event and trip prep tied to your calendar Here is a One-minute walkthrough of whats to come. Small sample, so I’m treating this as direction, not proof. Next step is testing these changes with the same group.