Participatory Budgeting

A typical participatory budgeting process follows these steps, usually over the course of a year:

1. Process Design: We are partnering with a consultant and community leaders to create the rules and engagement plan.
2. Brainstorm Ideas: Through meetings and online tools, residents will share and discuss ideas for projects.
3. Develop Proposals: Groups of volunteers will develop the ideas into feasible proposals.
4. Vote: Volunteers vote on the proposals that most serve the community’s needs.
5. Fund Winning Project: The Community Foundation will fund the winning idea(s) with a pool of $150,000 in grant dollars.

Graphic courtesy of Participatory Budgeting Project

Central New York Community Foundation – Centennial Participatory Budgeting Project Schedule

May 2026 – Oswego County

Sessions 1 & 2 | May 5 & 6 2026 – 5:00-7:30pm
Location: Camp Zerbe (253 NY 104, Williamstown NY 13493)

Session 3 – Virtual Proposal Presentation Night | May 27, 2026 – 5:30-7:30pm (Held via zoom)

Session 4 – Voting Night | May 28, 2026 – 5:00-7:30pm
Location: The Children’s Museum of Oswego County (7 W Bridge St, Oswego NY 13126)
**Polls open online at 9am and close at 7:00pm

Additional Information

• Free shuttle service provided to and from the County Courthouse and Breitbeck Park parking lots. Shuttle service schedule

Central New York Community Foundation – Centennial Participatory Budgeting Project Schedule

June 2026 – madison County

SESSION 1 & 2: Topic Ideas & Voting  | Wednesday, June 3, 2026 & Thursday, June 4, 2026
In-Person Event | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Madison County Cornell Cooperative Extension

SESSION 3: Proposal Presentation Night | Wednesday, June 24th
Virtual Event| 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Zoom Link to be provided

SESSION 4: Voting & Celebration Night | Thursday, June 25th
In-Person | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Smithfield Community Center (5255 Pleasant Valley Road, Peterboro NY 13134)

additional information

• In need of transportation? Contact Mobility Management at dymobility@gmail.com | 315-366-8190.

CORTLAND COUNTY – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SESSION 1 & 2: Topic Ideas & Voting 

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 & Thursday, August 6, 2026

• In-Person Event | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Location: Truxton Academy
• REGISTER HERE

SESSION 3: Proposal Presentation Night *Registration Opens August 7th!

Wednesday, August 19th

• Virtual Event | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
• Location: Zoom Link to be provided

SESSION 4: Voting & Celebration Night *Registration Opens August 7th!

Thursday, August 20th

• In-Person | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Location: Center for the Arts, Homer (72 S Main St, Homer NY 13077)

IN-PERSON & ONLINE VOTING AVAILABLE!

On voting night residents in each respective county will be able to vote in person and online using the Stanford University Participatory Budgeting platform.

The polls for each county will open online at 9:00am with in-person voting taking place at 5:00-7:00 pm at the following dates and locations.

Oswego County Vote Night
Thursday, May 28, 2026 – 5-7:30pm
Children’s Museum of Oswego
(7 W Bridge St, Oswego, NY 13126)

Madison County
Thursday, June 25 – 5 – 7:30pm
National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum
(5255 Pleasant Valley Rd, Peterboro, NY 13134)

Cortland County
August 20, 2026 – 5-7:30pm
Center for the Arts of Homer
(72 S Main St, Homer, NY  13077)

Cayuga County
Oct 1, 2026– 5-7:30pm
Schweinfurth Art Center
(205 Genesee Street, Auburn NY 13021)