Appreciative Budgeting: Providing Financial Transparency and Inclusion

Abstract

Budgeting in higher education is often an avoided subject area between employers and employees. The budgeting process is usually handled by a limited number of administrators and is frequently not openly communicated with the faculty and staff at higher education institutions. The Appreciative Budget Model (ABM) is a framework for fiscal administrators to clearly convey to all members of an institution how the budget is formed and open up opportunities for everyone to provide their input. A strong planning process improves organizational support for financial decisions as well as the final outcomes of the adopted budget.