Projecting Expenses For The American Foundation For Suicide ✓ Solved

Projecting Expenses for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Calculate the projected expenses for Year 1 of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), including personnel costs, facility-related expenses, equipment, supplies, and other operational costs. Justify each expense category and amount based on the organization’s staffing plan, program activities, and facility needs, prioritizing expenses from most to least important. Use Worksheet B.6-8 as a guide, incorporate relevant research such as Chevarley et al. (2006), and ensure the total length is 2-3 pages with APA citations.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) plays a crucial role in suicide prevention through education, advocacy, research funding, and provision of support services for affected individuals and families. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the incidence of suicide, it is vital to accurately project the organization’s expenses for its first year of operation to ensure fiscal sustainability and effective program delivery. This paper estimates the projected expenses based on organizational needs, research data, and best practices, prioritizing costs from most to least important.

Personnel Costs

The core of AFSP’s operational expenses is personnel costs, which include salaries, benefits, and incidental expenses for staff involved in program implementation, outreach, research, and administration. Based on organizational plans, the key personnel includes a Director of Health System Initiative, program coordinators, mental health practitioners, outreach specialists, and administrative support staff. The Director, with a counseling psychology degree and five years of experience, is budgeted at an annual salary of $80,000, with benefits estimated at 15% of salary, totaling approximately $92,000. Program coordinators and practitioners are budgeted at variable salaries, averaging $60,000 annually, with benefits totaling $69,000 each. Assuming a team of four practitioners and two coordinators, personnel expenses will amount to approximately $424,000.

Including other staff such as administrative assistants and outreach workers, with aggregate salaries around $200,000 and benefits, the total personnel costs for Year 1 are projected to be approximately $620,000. This aligns with research indicating personnel expenses typically comprise 50-70% of nonprofit mental health budgets (Dropkin, Halpin, & LaTouche, 2007). The benefits package, estimated at 15% of salaries, covers health insurance, retirement contributions, and other fringe benefits.

Facility-Related Expenses

AFSP's operational facilities include rented office space, meeting rooms, and community outreach venues. Given the focus on urban locations across 50 states, a modest office space of roughly 2,000 square feet is sufficient for administrative and program activities. Based on market rates in New York City and Washington, rent is estimated at $50 per square foot annually, totaling $100,000. Utility costs, including electricity, water, and internet, are projected at $12,000 annually. Maintenance and security expenses add another $8,000. These facility costs total approximately $120,000 in Year 1.

Equipment and Supplies

Essential equipment includes computers, telecommunication devices, office furniture, and dedicated spaces for confidential consultations. Beginning with six computers at $1,200 each, totaling $7,200, plus office desks and chairs at $2,000, and telecommunication equipment at $3,000, the initial setup costs are estimated at $12,200. Supplies such as educational materials, brochures, and medical supplies are estimated at $5,000 annually. These initial and recurring equipment and supply costs amount to approximately $17,200.

Program and Outreach Expenses

AFSP conducts community programs, risk assessments, and outreach campaigns to raise awareness and provide education. These activities involve costs for event rentals, marketing, printed materials, and online platform maintenance. Based on program scope, an annual budget of $50,000 is allocated for outreach efforts, including the \"Talk Saves Lives\" program and Survivor Day events, supported by research on effective suicide prevention strategies (Cramer & Long, 2018). These programs also rely on digital platforms and interactive screening tools, which incur licensing and maintenance fees estimated at $10,000 annually.

Administrative and Miscellaneous Costs

Additional expenses include insurance, legal and accounting services, staff training, and miscellaneous operational costs. Insurance (liability, property) is estimated at $15,000; contractual services at $20,000; training and development at $5,000; and contingencies at $3,000. These combined costs total approximately $43,000.

Summary of Expenses

Prioritized from most to least important, the projected Year 1 expenses are as follows:

• Personnel costs: $620,000
• Facility-related expenses: $120,000
• Equipment and supplies: $17,200
• Program and outreach expenses: $60,000
• Administrative and miscellaneous costs: $43,000

Total estimated expenses for the first year amount to $860,200. Justification for each category is grounded in best practices for nonprofit organizations, research data (Chevarley et al., 2006), and cost estimates based on urban real estate and operational standards. This structured approach ensures sufficient resources are allocated to critical areas while allowing flexibility for potential cost adjustments, aligning with the organization’s goal of saving lives and fostering hope among those affected by suicide.

References

• Dropkin, M., Halpin, J., & LaTouche, B. (2007). The budget-building book for nonprofits (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.
• Chevarley, F., Owens, P. L., Zodet, M. W., Simpson, L., et al. (2006). Health care for children and youth in the United States: Annual report on patterns of coverage, utilization, quality, and expenditures by a county level of urban influence. Ambulatory Pediatrics, 6(5), 241-264.
• Cramer, R. J., & Long, M. (2018). Competency-based suicide prevention education: Implementation of a pilot course for undergraduate health professions students. Academic Psychiatry, 42(6).
• Jobes, D. A., Gregorian, M. J., & Colborn, V. A. (2018). A stepped care approach to clinical suicide prevention. Psychological Services, 15(3), 243-253.
• Mehta, S. S., & Edwards, M. L. (2018). Suffering in silence: Mental health stigma and physicians' licensing fears. American Journal of Psychiatry Residents' Journal, 13(11), 2-4.
• Nonprofit Central. (n.d.). Budget making for nonprofit organization. Retrieved from https://nonprofitcentral.org