We are in the process of setting up the Projects, Grants and Endowments module in the Financial Edge. Our challenge is figuring out the best way to do this so that we can accurately track our expenses to the appropriate grants. Any advice would be most appreciated.

Our approach was to set up a project for all reporting categories. For example, many users just set up a project for a specific grant or funding source. We went a step further and set up a project for several general categories. We have four major departments. Early Education and Care, Family and Youth Issues, Fund Development, and General Administration. Within each department we set up programs. For example our Family and Youth Issues Department (FYI) has 5 programs. Family Counseling, Community Education, Literacy, Youth Development and General Unfunded. With in the 5 programs are all the projects - these are generally tracked by funding source, but I also have a general unfunded within each program for cost analysis so I know the total cost of each program. Family Counseling might include project 3105 - Childrens Trust Fund, and 3109 for Wells Fargo Foundination. I always make the first digit in the Project tie with the first digit in the Department and Program, which are established in my chart of accounts - but that is too much detail to go into here. Then I made my accounts payable coding forms require the project number for every check to make sure the person spending the money authorized it to go into the project. I also have an account for indirect expenses when the grant will support it, but those usually end up in the unfunded projects (sigh).