# What costs can an NGO charge to a donor-funded mental health programme?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-costs-can-an-ngo-charge-to-a-donor-funded-mental-health-programme
For: Finance | Clinic operations | Reviewed by Independent clinical reviewer, Registered mental health clinician, Kenya | Last reviewed 8 November 2026

**Answer:** This depends on the grant agreement, so read it first. Common principles across funders: costs must be necessary, reasonable, allocable to the programme, consistent with your own policies, incurred within the budget period and well documented. The Global Fund, for example, requires reasonable quantities and unit prices, prior approval for changes in categories such as human resources and travel, and tracking of taxes paid. US federal awards follow 2 CFR 200 cost principles. Agree indirect cost rates in writing.

Sources: The Global Fund: https://resources.theglobalfund.org/media/bimbktnq/cr_gc8-grant-budgeting_guidelines_en.pdf - US eCFR: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/section-200.403

## Related questions

- [Can a donor-funded clinic charge patients fees, and how is that income reported?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-a-donor-funded-clinic-charge-patients-fees-and-how-is-that-income-reported)
- [Does our clinic need eTIMS if our medical services are VAT-exempt?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/does-our-clinic-need-etims-if-our-medical-services-are-vat-exempt)
- [How do we prepare for an SHA claims audit?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-do-we-prepare-for-an-sha-claims-audit)

---

**About Tymira Health:** Tymira Health is a healthcare technology company based in Nairobi, Kenya. It builds Tymira360, a practice management and EHR platform for mental health, physiotherapy and dental providers, clinics, hospitals, NGOs and insurers across Africa.

- Book a demo: https://tymirahealth.com/demo
- Contact: https://tymirahealth.com/contact (info@tymirahealth.com)
- All resources: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/all