Overview
Ktown Team's budget is built from the bottom up - starting with community input on priorities, moving through internal planning, and ending with formal approval by the board. The process reflects our commitment to flat hierarchy and community-controlled finance.
Community Input
Before any budget figures are set, we gather community input on what matters most. This happens through open forums, our Input tool, and structured participatory budgeting sessions. Community members identify priorities, flag concerns, and propose initiatives they want resourced.
Internal Planning
Teams submit resource requests based on their planned work for the year. These requests are reviewed against available funding, organizational priorities, and community input. The Ktown Fund framework guides how trade-offs are made when demand exceeds available resources.
Governance Review and Approval
The draft budget is reviewed by organizational leadership and submitted to the board for formal approval. The board's role is described in the Board of Directors article and governed by the Bylaws. The approved budget is published and accessible to all community members.
Adaptive Revisions
We use adaptive planning rather than treating the annual budget as fixed. If community needs shift, a major grant comes through, or an initiative underperforms, the budget is revised with the same input and approval process. Significant mid-year changes are disclosed publicly through our financial reporting.
Accountability
Actual spending is tracked against the approved budget throughout the year. Variances are documented, explained, and shared with the community in regular financial updates. This closes the loop between what we committed to fund and what we actually spent.