The Central New York Community Foundation will launch the first of five participatory budgeting initiatives across its service area this May, inviting Oswego County residents to help decide how $75,000 will be invested in their community.
The initiative marks the beginning of the Community Foundation’s two-year celebration of its 100th anniversary in 2027. As part of the centennial effort, the Community Foundation will host participatory budgeting projects in each of the five counties it serves, awarding a total of $500,000 in funding determined directly by residents.
Participatory budgeting is a community engagement process in which residents work together to identify local needs, develop project ideas and vote on how funding should be allocated. Throughout the month of May, Oswego County volunteers will meet to brainstorm ideas, hear from county and city officials and collaborate to turn community priorities into feasible project proposals. At the end of the process, residents will vote online for the proposal they believe will best serve their community.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to listening to residents and investing in ideas that come directly from the communities we serve,” said Melanie Littlejohn, president & CEO of the Community Foundation. “As we approach our centennial, participatory budgeting is one way we are celebrating our history while empowering residents to help shape the future of Central New York.”
The Oswego County process will take place over four sessions during May. The first two sessions will be held Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Camp Zerbe, located at 253 NY-104 in Williamstown. During these sessions, residents will learn about the participatory budgeting process, share ideas and begin developing project proposals.
A proposal presentation night will be held Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Community members are encouraged to attend to learn about the proposals before voting begins.
Voting will take place Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents may vote online for the project they believe best serves the community’s needs. An in-person gathering will also take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at The Children’s Museum of Oswego County, located at 7 W. Bridge St. in Oswego. Free shuttle service will be provided to and from the Oswego County Courthouse and Breitbeck Park parking lots.
The participatory budgeting initiative is designed to ensure that funding priorities are determined by residents themselves. Participants will work with nonprofit organizations, grassroots groups and local leaders to identify a priority issue, co-design potential solutions and develop proposals that address community needs. Residents will ultimately decide which project receives funding.
Following the Oswego County project, the Community Foundation will host participatory budgeting initiatives in Madison County in June, Cortland County in August, Cayuga County in September and Onondaga County in 2027.
Additional Information
- Community members interested in volunteering for the Oswego County sessions can register at cnycf.org/pbform.
- Residents who need transportation assistance may contact Ride Oswego County’s Office of Mobility Management at rideoc@oswegocounty.com or 315.746.4222.
- For additional questions about the program, contact Qiana Williams, senior program officer, at 315.883.5568 or qwilliams@cnycf.org.
