Current Year Operating Budget
ZionSphere — Open Doors Program Initiative
Fiscal Year: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026
Prepared in connection with grant application to Lilly Endowment Inc.
Organizational Note: ZionSphere operates as a fiscally sponsored initiative under the Christian Ministry Alliance (CMA), a 501(c)(3) organization. This budget reflects ZionSphere's current project-level operating activity as a pre-grant early-stage initiative. CMA provides financial oversight, compliance management, and 501(c)(3) institutional infrastructure for this project. CMA's organizational financial statements are available separately upon request.
INCOME
SourceMonthlyAnnual Total
Founder Investment — Project Development Funds$1,517$18,200
Personal funds committed by Founder/Executive Director to sustain organizational development, platform maintenance, and pre-grant operations
In-Kind: Founder Labor (Executive Leadership & Development)IN-KIND—$112,500
Estimated 30+ hrs/week × 50 weeks at $75/hr — reflects market-rate value of leadership, strategy, platform development, partner outreach, and grant development; not a cash expenditure
TOTAL CASH INCOME—$18,200
TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS—$112,500
EXPENSES
Line ItemMonthlyAnnual Total
WORKSPACE & OPERATIONS
Dedicated Project Office$180$2,160
Private office space used exclusively for ZionSphere organizational development, partner communications, content production, and program administration
Utilities & Communications (allocated share)$60$720
Phone, internet, and basic utilities allocated to project use
TECHNOLOGY & PLATFORM
Platform Hosting & Domain$45$540
Web hosting, domain registration, SSL, and basic cloud infrastructure for zionsphere.world
Software Subscriptions$95$1,140
Productivity tools, project management, design software, communication platforms, and organizational development tools
VR Development & Testing Tools$40$480
Software licenses and tools used in prototype VR experience development and quality testing
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Curriculum & Content Research Materials$30$360
Books, academic resources, theological reference materials, and curriculum development resources
Outreach & Partner Development$35$420
Basic outreach materials, printed collateral, postage, and partner prospecting costs
TRAVEL & REPRESENTATION
Local & Regional Travel$60$720
Mileage, fuel, and ground transportation for partner meetings, church visits, and organizational representation
ADMINISTRATIVE
Banking, Filing & Compliance Fees$20$240
Basic organizational banking fees and state/federal filing costs associated with maintaining project records
Miscellaneous Operating Costs$15$180
Incidental organizational expenses not categorized above
TOTAL CASH EXPENSES—$6,960
Total Cash Income$18,200Total Cash Expenses($6,960)Net Operating Position$11,240In-Kind Contributions (non-cash)$112,500
Budget Notes:
1. Pre-Grant Stage: This budget reflects ZionSphere's current early-stage operations as a project under development. The organization is operating leanly and deliberately prior to grant activation, with resources focused on program design, partnership development, and grant preparation.
2. Founder Investment: All current cash operations are funded through personal investment by the Founder and Executive Director, Starkey Roberson. This reflects the founder's personal commitment to the mission and willingness to absorb pre-grant organizational costs.
3. In-Kind Labor: Founder labor is disclosed as an in-kind contribution and is not reflected as a cash expense. The valuation is based on a conservative market-rate estimate for nonprofit executive and program development services. This contribution demonstrates organizational commitment and is consistent with standard nonprofit pre-grant operations.
4. Fiscal Sponsorship: Upon award of the Lilly Endowment grant, all funds will be received and administered by the Christian Ministry Alliance (CMA) as fiscal sponsor. CMA will provide full financial management, compliance oversight, payroll administration, and accounting services. This operating budget reflects ZionSphere's project-level pre-award activity only.
ZionSphere · Rocky Mount, NC · www.zionsphere.world · Fiscally sponsored by the Christian Ministry Alliance (CMA), a 501(c)(3) organization. | Prepared by: Starkey Roberson, Founder & Executive Director — partners@zionsphere.world