The Central New York Community Foundation will launch the second of five participatory budgeting initiatives across its service area this June, inviting Madison 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 June, Madison 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 Madison County process will take place over four sessions during June. The first two sessions will be held Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension, Madison County, located at 100 Eaton Street, Morrisville. During these sessions, residents will learn about the participatory budgeting process, share ideas and begin developing project proposals. Residents can register to attend the sessions at cnycf.org/madisonPB.
A proposal presentation night will be held Wednesday, June 24, 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, June 26, 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 Smithfield Community Center at 5255 Pleasant Valley Road in Petersboro.
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 need, co-design potential solutions and develop proposals that address community needs. Residents will ultimately decide which project receives funding.
An Oswego County project is currently under way and after the Madison County project in June, the Community Foundation will host participatory budgeting initiatives in Cortland County in August, Cayuga County in September and Onondaga County in 2027.
Residents who need transportation assistance may reach out to Mobility Management at 315-366-8190 or dymobility@gmail.com. For additional questions about the program, contact Qiana Williams, senior program officer, at 315.883.5568 or qwilliams@cnycf.org.
