Franci, we have had several LSA grants.  We ask for reimbursement so that we don't have to pay interest; we think that upfront money is possible.  It comes through a website from HHS, we can draw it down whenever and as often as we like.  We have had no problem with 1:1 cost share; detailed documentation suffices.

One pitfall--they pay no indirects and limit 'administrative costs' to 5%.  (If you are the fiscal agent, you might think about capturing that 5% as Middlebury's fee.)  On the plus side, you can use the difference between the 5% they allow and your negotiated rate as part of the required match.  They watch that 5% like hawks, we've had many conversations with their budget officer.  They are as picky as ED used to be.  Not much fun, but it works in the long run.  And the money is good.

I see no reason why you can't use board meetings as part of the match as long as its plausible.  I've certainly done that sort of thing in other proposals.

If you like, I can email you a sample budget detail.  Our excellent postaward person, Cindy Yunker, provided me with most of this info--her email is xxxxxx@uwrf.edu, phone is 715/425-3265, she says she'd be happy to chat with you.

EKat Miller says she's been communicating with you re: presentation at Wooster, glad to hear it.

Regards, Bill

Bill Campbell
Director, Grants & Research
University of Wisconsin-River Falls

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