Announce a Budget Surplus • Example Letters, Guides and Samples

Guides

This announcement is good news, but you must write it carefully to clearly communicate, as needed, amounts involved, appropriate uses of funds, and procedures for accessing and using the funds.

How to write this announcement letter:

  1. Inform the reader that a surplus exists, and explain how the funds may and may not be used.
  2. If necessary, explain the period of time during which the funds must be used.
  3. Encourage wise use of the funds, or suggest ways in which the funds may be used.

Example Letter #1

Copied

Thanks to the careful planning of department heads, we have a modest amount left in our capital equipment budget that can only be used for office machines. Please indicate with a memo by Friday which items you feel should have highest priority for upgrade or replacement. We will lose the funds if they are not used by December 31.

Example Letter #2

Copied

We are pleased to announce that for the first time in ten years, Doe University has a budget surplus. Within the month, deans and department chairs will receive notification of amounts available for their use. Although the funds are unrestricted, we encourage administrators to use them for partial tuition scholarships for deserving students. This is one way we can ease the burden of many and shorten the time required to complete their studies.

Example Letter #3

Copied

Our prudent spending through the last quarter has left us with a modest budget surplus. These monies have been earmarked for upgrades to our office machines.

Please have your proposals on my desk by the end of this month so that I can evaluate our needs and make the purchases.

Example Letter #4

Copied

Due to a generous donation from the Doe Corporation, our school has extra money available in our yearly budget. After long discussion with teachers and parents we have decided to use this money to purchase two computers, along with some software, for each classroom. We are asking that teachers for each grade level get together and make recommendations for the software programs they believe would be of greatest benefit to their students.

We are very excited to be able to expand our school's computer capabilities and appreciate the support for education the Doe Corporation has shown with their generous contribution. Please give a list of your top three software choices to Mary by May 15.

Example Letter #5

Copied

Due to the drop in price of computer equipment during this year, we have a surplus in our computer equipment budget. Please assess the needs of your department for upgrading to faster models or additional computers. This money may be spent on hardware only, not software. If your department has a need, send a memo by December 10 giving details of why you need the particular model and how you will use it. Contact Jane Doe in the purchasing department if you need help with pricing information.

Example Letter #6

Copied

Since the reorganization of the company, we have found we have a budget surplus for this quarter. We would like to use this money for new furniture for secretarial staff. We anticipate being able to purchase at least four units during this budget year and anticipate upgrading all secretarial furniture to modern ergonomic standards in the next three years. Please assess your needs and send a memo to me by this Friday.

Write Your Letter Step-by-Step

1 Inform the reader that a surplus exists, and explain how the funds may and may not be used.

Sample Sentences for Step 1
  • Thanks to the careful scheduling of our business travel, we are ending the year with a modest surplus that may be used for travel expenses only.
  • We are fortunate to have excess monies in our capital equipment account. These monies may be used for purchases of larger items such as computers, copy machines, fax machines and the like. Routine office supplies must be purchased from the Supplies account.
  • We have a budget surplus that can be used in your department.
  • Your diligent efforts have helped us stay well within budget this year; in fact, we have a surplus that you may use at your discretion.
  • We overestimated the cost of advertising this year, so we have an excess of $30,000 that we would like you to use to improve the work environment.
Sample Phrases for Step 1
  • are fortunate to have
  • are ending the year with
  • authorize additional spending
  • can be used in any way except
  • diligent efforts have
  • expect to see an excess of
  • have a budget excess that
  • have a modest excess
  • have an excess of
  • have extra money in our
  • have stayed well within budget
  • like you to use this to
  • may be used only for
  • may be used for
  • may submit proposals for
  • may use at your discretion
  • overestimated the cost of
  • thanks to careful
  • that you may use for
  • that can be used for
  • have projected a
  • within the following guidelines

2 If necessary, explain the period of time during which the funds must be used.

Sample Sentences for Step 2
  • These funds must be expended by December 31.
  • Unused funds will carry over to next year's budget, so we have ample time to allocate the money wisely.
  • In order to take advantage of this rare opportunity, you will have to submit your request before July 15. I know time is limited, but this deadline is still a reachable goal.
  • These funds must be spent before the next budget cycle, which begins January 1.
  • Our Springfield office has requested additional funds, and we have promised to give them whatever we do not use by August 31.
Sample Phrases for Step 2
  • act as quickly as possible
  • allocate the money wisely
  • an unusual situation
  • deadline for requests is
  • does not allow much time
  • will transfer funds to
  • has requested additional funds
  • in order to take advantage of this
  • make careful assessment of needs
  • may be a good time to
  • must be spent before
  • need to use it by
  • need to act before
  • submit your request by
  • the next budget cycle
  • there is no hurry
  • this rare opportunity
  • to evaluate your department's needs
  • will lose any money not assigned by
  • will lose these funds unless
  • will carry over to

3 Encourage wise use of the funds, or suggest ways in which the funds may be used.

Sample Sentences for Step 3
  • If you are planning travel in the new year, I suggest that you buy the tickets as soon as possible. This would ease the burden on our travel budget for next year, too.
  • Evaluate any problems you may have had with equipment this past year, and let me know if this is a good time to consider replacement purchases.
  • If you need help in upgrading equipment, please send your request and justification for additional funds to my office. We will evaluate all requests and let you know our decision.
  • Since we cannot predict when additional funds will become available, perhaps it is time to consider buying the new computers that you have talked about.
  • I suggest you consider using this windfall money to raise the salaries of part-time personnel. It would be appropriate to discuss the matter with John Doe.
Sample Phrases for Step 3
  • appropriate to discuss the matter with
  • consider replacement of
  • considering some of the problems with
  • discuss this with
  • good time to look at capital needs
  • handle the details through
  • if you need help in
  • if you are planning any
  • may be a good time to
  • may wish to make advance purchases of
  • merits careful consideration
  • might consider using this windfall to
  • might be a suitable use of the money
  • move purchases forward a few months
  • opportunity to upgrade
  • please send in requests and justifications
  • request for additional funds
  • unusual opportunity to
  • very unusual situation
  • will evaluate all requests
  • would ease the burden on next year's budget