Financial Modelling Tool for Charities
Running a charity comes with unique financial challenges – from managing irregular income to budgeting for grants, staffing, and project costs. Brixx gives charities the tools to plan effectively, adapt to change, and make confident financial decisions that support long-term impact.
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Who can use this Brixx template?
Finance managers and trustees of charities
Grant-funded community groups
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What are the benefits for charities?
Charity Template
This template is tailored to the unique structure of charitable finances-donations, grants, project expenses, and restricted funds
Cash Flow Modelling
Easily model cash flow, operating costs, fundraising income, and project spending
Visual Reports
Visualise forecasts and generate reports to share with trustees, donors, or stakeholders
Scenario Testing
Quickly test scenarios like funding cuts, new service launches, or scaling staff and resources
Funding & Capital
Gain instant insight into the financial impact of upcoming campaigns or funding applications
What a charity’s finances look like
Every charity is different, but most share the same money patterns. Knowing them makes your forecast far more realistic.
Where the money comes from
Grants, donations and regular giving, fundraising events, legacies, trading income such as shops or services, and contracts to deliver services for councils and other bodies.
Where the money goes
Staff, programme delivery, premises, fundraising, governance and reporting. Building the budget from zero each year makes every cost justify its place.
Restricted and unrestricted funds
Grant money is often tied to a specific project. Tracking restricted and unrestricted income separately shows how much is genuinely free to spend.
Timing of income
Grants may be paid in arrears or in instalments, and fundraising peaks around campaigns and the end of the year. A rolling budget keeps the gaps in view.
The numbers worth watching
Months of reserves, cost per beneficiary, fundraising return on investment and the share of income from your largest funder.
A simple worked example
With running costs of £20,000 a month, a reserves target of three to six months means holding £60,000 to £120,000 in unrestricted funds. Figures are illustrative.
Frequently asked questions
Any questions? We’re always here to help
List every expected source of income, noting which funds are restricted to specific projects. Then set out staff, programme, premises and fundraising costs month by month. Compare the two to see where gaps fall, and review the budget against actual figures through the year.
There is no single rule. Trustees are expected to set a reserves policy based on the risks the charity faces, and many aim for somewhere between three and six months of running costs. A forecast shows how long your current reserves would last if a major funder stopped.
Include confirmed grants on the dates they will be paid, and treat applications still pending as a separate scenario rather than assuming they will succeed. That way your core budget only relies on money you can count on.
Free reserves are unrestricted funds that are not tied up in fixed assets or set aside for a specific purpose. They are the money a charity can genuinely use to weather a shortfall, so they are the figure to watch.
Funders often ask for a budget and cash flow forecast for the project and the organisation. Building them in Brixx gives clear, consistent figures that you can update quickly for each application.
Start planning your charity's future with powerful forecasting software
Brixx's financial modelling software helps charities understand their financial position today and prepare for what's ahead. With tailored tools for budgeting, scenario planning, and cash flow forecasting, Brixx enables non-profits to manage complex funding streams and deliver on their mission with confidence.
Whether you're applying for grants, planning long-term projects, or managing everyday operations, Brixx equips your team with the insights needed to make informed, strategic decisions. With two decades of business modelling expertise, Brixx is the trusted solution for building a financially secure future for your charity.
Start for freeModel your charity business in Brixx – see how quickly your finances can make sense!
Project Setup
- Project Name : Community Health Charity
- Time Period : Monthly (suitable for tracking regular donations, grants, and operational spend)
Setup 
Income Components
Component: Regular Donations
Sub-components:
- Individual Donations (£3,000/month)
- Corporate Donations (£2,500/month)
- Membership Fees (£1,000/month)
Component: Grant Income
Sub-components:
- Government Grant (£60,000/year, paid quarterly)
- Local Council Health Support (£20,000/year, paid in April)
Component: Fundraising Activities
Sub-components:
- Annual Gala Event (Expected income: £15,000 in November)
- Sponsored Runs/Challenges (£500/month average)
- Online Campaigns (£250/month)
Component: Trading Activities (if applicable)
Sub-components:
- Charity Shop Revenue (£1,200/month)
- Merchandise Sales (£300/month)
Income 
Expenditure Components
Component: Program Delivery Costs
Sub-components:
- Medical Supplies for Clinics (£800/month)
- Counsellor Salaries (£2,500/month)
- Travel Expenses for Outreach Teams (£400/month)
- Training & Development for Volunteers (£200/month)
Component: Fundraising & Marketing
Sub-components:
- Event Costs for Gala (£6,000 in November)
- Digital Marketing (£300/month)
- Print Materials (£100/month)
Component: Administrative Costs
Sub-components:
- Office Rent & Utilities (£1,200/month)
- Staff Salaries (Admin team: £4,000/month)
- IT & Software (£150/month – includes Brixx subscription!)
- Insurance (£1,200/year)
- Legal & Audit Fees (£2,000/year)
Expenditure 
Asset Components
Component: Fixed Assets
Sub-components:
- Office Equipment (£5,000, depreciated over 5 years)
- Community Health Van (£25,000, depreciated over 8 years)
Component: Current Assets
Sub-components:
- Cash Reserves (Starting balance: £30,000 + surpluses)
- Accounts Receivable (e.g. grant instalments not yet received)
- Stock (e.g. unused medical supplies, £2,000)
Assets 
Funding Components
Component: Restricted Funds
Sub-components:
- Government Health Grant (£60,000/year)
- Specific Project Donation (£10,000 earmarked for mental health outreach)
Component: Unrestricted Funds
Sub-components:
- General Donations & Surpluses (£6,500/month average)
Component: Emergency Loan (Optional/Scenario-based)
Sub-components:
- Line of Credit (£10,000 available at 5% interest, modelled only if needed)
Funding 
Scenario Planning in Brixx
Donation Volatility
- Model a 10% drop in monthly individual donations to stress test cash flow.
Grant Delays
- Delay quarterly grant payments by one month to see impact on available cash.
Fundraising Target Variability
- Compare outcomes if gala income is £10,000 vs £15,000 vs £20,000.
Unexpected Costs
- Create a "Contingency" component for one-off emergencies (£2,000+ spikes).
Scenarios 
Dashboard & Reporting
Cash Flow Report
- Visualise net position each month, separating restricted and unrestricted funds.
Balance Sheet
- Track fixed assets like the van and office equipment, and available funds.
Profit & Loss Statement
- Show income sources (split by type), expenditure by program/admin/fundraising.
Custom KPIs
- Cost per Beneficiary
- Fundraising ROI (funds raised per £1 spent)
- Admin-to-Program Ratio (% of spend on actual charitable programs)
Dashboard 
Strategic forecasting in Brixx
Project future income from grants, donations, and earned income
Budget for both fixed operating costs and variable project-based spending
Model different funding scenarios to ensure sustainability and reduce risk
Evaluate the long-term impact of fundraising events or new services
Plan for financial resilience in times of uncertainty or changing donor landscapes
Explore different industry frameworks you can build in Brixx for your business
Senior Care Home
Running a care home or senior living facility comes with complex financial responsibilities – from managing staffing and care costs.
Sporting Team
Managing the finances of a sports team requires careful planning and strategic decision-making.
Government Contractor
As a government contractor, managing long-term projects and anticipating cash flow gaps are critical to staying compliant and profitable.
Event Planner
As an event planning business, understanding how your cash flow fluctuates throughout the year and knowing when to make strategic.
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Answer real questions about your business:
- Scenario testing
- 10-year financial forecast
- Pre-built templates
- Xero integration
- Automated reports: P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, tax & more
