Finances have always been an on-the-table problem at BPF. Except, perhaps, the two-year period of the Therapy Centre construction, there was always a concern – in earthly terms – about the provision of the following month's salaries.

Strategies for funding were directed mainly towards increasing self-sufficiency: we tried to make > the farm a profitable business; to get as many state subsidies as possible and to charge reasonable client fees, all these in order to rely less on donations. We had considerable success: between 2006 and 2009, state subsidies were raised from 0 to 14% of our total income; client fees were raised 308% (!) (to 25% of total income). However, the farm project did not bring the desired results and after six years the decision was made to sell/rent it, with the rental fee and interest income now bringing 5% of total income. All of these changes considerably decreased the need for donations.

However, at the same time donations (both from abroad and Romania) dropped in such a corresponding way that we have had to balance all these years on the edge of our financial stability - with all programs still running on minimal budgets.

Small programs such as camps, conferences, group activities and counseling are close to self-sufficiency, while the Therapy Centre is more costly. In light of these factors, we can hardly decrease expenses without canceling the core of our work.

Sándor Magdó, Executive Director of BPF

Income and expenses for years 2006-2009

Income by sources for years 2006-2009

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