What is the purpose of developing a budget? Is the budget a planning document, a control document, or both? What are some of the phases of developing a budget? Are there different budgeting models? What are factors that could cause variances in a budget? How should management address variances in a budget? How could management facilitate a participatory approach to budget development? How might the budgeting process differ between for-profit (FP) and not-for-profit (NFP) hospitals? Contributions are an integral part of an NFP meeting budget. How appropriate is it for an NFP hospital to budget expected contributions? Many states have a charities bureau that monitors charitable activities including NFP hospitals. Review the site for your state and comment on this agency as it relates to the budget process.