Funding Allocation Matrix
Quick Takeaways
The Funding Allocation Matrix toolkit helps colleges and universities evaluate budget requests and prioritize investments that support equitable student outcomes.
Through customizable evaluation tools and decision-making guidance, the toolkit helps institutions align funding decisions with strategic priorities, use student data to inform resource allocation, and invest in initiatives that improve student retention, persistence, and completion.
What You'll Find in This Toolkit
- Funding Allocation Matrix
A customizable Excel-based tool to evaluate and prioritize funding requests based on institutional goals, student success, and equity considerations. - Initiative Evaluation Worksheet
A Word-based worksheet to help institutional leaders assess proposed initiatives and consider their potential impact on student outcomes. - Implementation Guidance
Overview and instruction guides to help institutions understand, customize, and incorporate the evaluation tools into existing budgeting processes. - Student-Centered Decision-Making Resources
Guiding questions to support discussions about funding priorities, resource allocation, and equitable student outcomes.
Who This Toolkit Is For
- Chief Business Officers (CBOs)
- Finance and Budget Office Teams
- Institutional Leadership and Strategic Planning Teams
- Academic and Administrative Department Leaders
- Student Affairs and Student Success Professionals
- Institutional Research and Data Analysts
- Cross-functional teams involved in budgeting and resource allocation
What This Toolkit Can Help You Achieve
- Evaluate and prioritize funding requests based on their potential impact on student success.
- Align resource allocation decisions with institutional strategic priorities.
- Incorporate disaggregated student data and equity considerations into funding decisions.
- Strengthen transparency and consistency in evaluating proposed initiatives.
- Direct resources toward initiatives that address barriers to student retention, persistence, and completion.
How to Use This Toolkit
You don't have to change your entire budget allocation process to get started. This toolkit offers opportunities to introduce more student-centered evaluation practices, strengthen existing funding decisions, and develop a more consistent approach to prioritizing institutional investments.
Quick Start
—Explore approaches to evaluating funding requests and begin conversations with stakeholders about aligning resource allocation decisions with student success and equity priorities.
Deeper Integration
—Strengthen existing budgeting practices by incorporating consistent evaluation criteria, considering student outcome data, and improving how funding requests are reviewed and prioritized.
Full Implementation
—Integrate student-centered evaluation and prioritization practices throughout institutional budgeting processes, with ongoing assessment and refinement to support transparent, data-informed funding decisions and more equitable student outcomes.
See This Toolkit in Action
Learn how institutions have used Funding Allocation Matrix to improve student outcomes.
Ready to get started with Funding Allocation Matrix Toolkit?
Access the full toolkit in the NACUBO Student Success Hub account.
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