Running Costs
The key to assessing future sustainability is two-fold. Calculating running costs is the first element. The second is estimating how much future income generation will be needed and how it will be achieved.
Listed below are the main types of costs involved in running a building or facility. Your business plan should include calculations about all the relevant costs over at least a three year period, including realistic assumptions about how those costs might change from year to year (eg due to inflation).
Facility running costs
- Rent / mortgage / loan costs
- Rates (local councils generally offer discounted rates for charities and CACS)
- Utility costs (water, electricity, gas)
- Telephone
- Building insurance
- Contents insurance
- Window cleaning (inside and outside)
- Hygiene services (for all toilets)
- Landscaping
- Grounds maintenance
- Cleaning
- Kitchen equipment maintenance
- Fire prevention and emergency equipment maintenance
- Refuse collection
- Planned maintenance
- Heating and boiler
- External decoration
- Internal decoration
- Electrics and boiler
- Gas equipment and boiler
- Carpets and flooring
- Fixtures and fittings
- Contingency fund / depreciation
- Security services
Other running costs
- Salaries, recruitment and training costs
- Marketing
- Membership of professional organisations
- Replacement of (worn, lost, damaged) sports equipment
- Licenses (eg. Performing Rights)
Possibilities for income generation
The Fundraising page contains ideas for different forms of income generation and suggests where you might find more information and support to develop your business plan and fundraising strategy.