Are there rule of thumb percents of a budget that should be allocated
for specific activities? If so, please provide concise references
where I can read about this.  If so, please provide examples of when
the rule of thumb does not apply.  I need this answer by noon, May 23,
2005.

My colleague and I direct a small (two participants each year), year
long, part time, nation program for training academic leaders funded
by a professional society foundation.  The program consists of 4 week
long seminars, 4 national meetings, projects, and mentoring for three
weeks with a leader in another site. We are responsible for
recruitment, acquiring and making arrangements with mentors, career
coaching, reviewing reports, writing and reviewing letters for
positions, teaching in two seminars, relating to an advisory
committee, preparing the budget, monitoring costs, maintaining contact
and support for alumni (now 8), etc. We pair with two larger programs
for seminars.  For the directors and participants, the program covers
travel expenses, registration fees.  In addition for participants, it
covers seminar tuitions.  The participants? home department covers
their salary and benefits for the time they are away. Participants are
typically department heads/chairs or associate deans.

The directors hold full time positions in a university and previously,
the amount our institution was reimbursed for this project was
determined by the activities done and the percent of time this took
from our current positions.  This year, the foundation wants to
determine what they reimburse our university according to a set
percent they believe should go to administrative costs, e.g., the
directors.  I do not see all our activities as administrative.  But,
if they were, is there an accepted percent for administration of a
program like ours?  When the percent is calculated, what is the
denominator (total program cost)?  For example, should the
participants? salaries covered by their home department be included? 
Should in-direct costs be included?  Currently, the foundation does
not provide any support for directors? office space, utilities, etc. 
Thank you.