Press Releases

The People’s Money Returns a Third Time: NYC Residents Are Invited to Decide How to Spend Part of the City Budget

New Yorkers can decide how to spend $4 Million to address needs in their community

NYC Civic Engagement Commission’s (CEC) is excited to launch the third year of “The People’s Money” to get residents involved in a citywide participatory budgeting process! The People’s Money empowers New Yorkers to fund solutions that address everyday community needs - these projects can address a variety of challenges ranging from education, mental health needs, food access, and so much more! Each year, New Yorkers tell the city what their communities need. The city votes on these needs to watch them transform into real life projects delivered to NYC residents.

From May 14th to June 25th, all New York City residents ages 11 and older, regardless of immigration status, can vote on how to spend $4M of the city budget to address their community needs.

New Yorkers can vote in-person or online via the digital platform participate.nyc.gov. Winning projects will be announced at the end of July. Community based organizations are welcome to apply and are selected through a competitive process, will deliver the winning community ideas as projects across NYC boroughs!

“The doorway to democracy should be wide and welcoming. With citywide participatory budgeting open to all residents 11 years and older, The People’s Money makes New York City a leader in inclusive democracy. It is a community-based process from start to finish, from idea generation to ballot creation through voting and project implementation. The People’s Money advances knowledge about the city budget and gives people a meaningful way to allocate public dollars in their borough and community. What I love about this process is that it strengthens belonging and connection. It reminds people they are part of a city where government listens to people’s needs and trusts them to lead in solving their own challenges.” Sarah Sayeed, Executive Director and Commissioner, NYC Civic Engagement Commission

“Participatory Budgeting is a powerful, non-partisan tool that puts real decision-making in the hands of New Yorkers—regardless of age, background, or political affiliation. By welcoming youth as young as 11 into the democratic process, we are fostering the next generation of civic leaders and proving that everyone’s voice matters in shaping our communities.” Holly Bonner, Commissioner, NYC Civic Engagement Commission

In an effort to build trust between communities and city government, this year’s vote campaign - You Pick, We Pay - aims to show residents that their voices aren’t just heard, but prioritized through real financial investment. It’s the city’s way of saying: we’re listening, and we’ve got your back.

To get out the vote, the CEC will be working with over 80 community partners to support voter outreach across all five boroughs, 30 of which will focus on priority neighborhoods as identified by the TRIE Neighborhood Initiative. This initiative works to develop coalitions in neighborhoods that have been historically underserved by government, and engages those residents to participate in civic processes, such as The People’s Money

“At El Centro, we believe that true equity begins when communities not only have a voice—but a vote. Partnering with the Civic Engagement Commission for the vote phase of the People’s Money means putting real decision-making power in the hands of immigrant workers, day laborers, and low-income Staten Islanders. The people casting their votes live in these neighborhoods and understand their needs better than anyone. It’s a step toward justice, and a reminder that every member of our city deserves to help shape its future.” - Michelle Molina, El Centro El Immigrante

An event to celebrate the launch of the vote phase will be held at the New York Public Library steps by Bryant Park on May 14th. This event will bring together all of the CEC’s community partners to recognize and celebrate all the volunteers involved in moving forward NYC’s democracy! For more information to attend, stay updated on our Instagram @NYCCEC.

“The CEC is incredibly proud to be working with our community partners on this initiative to deepen democratic engagement for youth, new immigrant communities and all New Yorkers 11 and up. Especially in this moment. We’re thrilled.” - Hillary Carelli-Donnell, Director of Citywide Participatory Budgeting (The People’s Money).

In addition to partnerships, the CEC is working to bring the People’s Money around the city to further engage residents in this process. These flagship events utilize community spaces across each borough to encourage voter participation and collect votes. This years flagship events are:

May 18 - Bronx Week Parade & Festival
May 24 - Brooklyn BAM Dance Africa
June 1 - Queens PRIDE Parade
June 7 - Staten Island Fatherhood & Family Fun Day
June 10 - Manhattan Museum Mile

Below is the list of the ideas that will be on the ballots starting May 14th -

Bronx Ballot Ideas include:

Multi-Lingual Community Mental Health
STEM Enrichment for Bronx Youth & Teens,
Golden Years: Financial Guidance for Older Adults,
Connecting Veterans,
Support People with Housing Advocacy Groups,
Youth-Led Performing Arts Program,
Cross-Generational Support: Building Community Connections with Service between youth with older adults,
Guiding Stars: Mentorship for Justice-Involved Youth & Emerging Adults,
Support for Parents and Guardians of Amazing Special Kids: a parent support group for kids with special abilities, and
Healthy Food & Literary Nights for Families & Individuals: healthy food & cultural gatherings that shed light on Bronx history for Bronx residents.

Manhattan Ballot Ideas include:

Youth Entrepreneurship Program,
Strengthening Mental Muscles - Mental Health through the Arts,
Intergenerational Mentorships - Fostering intergenerational relationships between older adults and youth,
Cross-Cultural English Language classes,
Everyone Should Be Able to Swim - swimming classes geared towards public housing residents,
Start up Music Program for Children - after school arts & music programming for kids,
Parenting Classes with Childcare - parenting classes and childcare support for new parents,
Learn to Grow and Cook Your Own Food,
Civic Education for All - civic education classes that teach residents how to be involved in local government,
Vocational Training for Middle and High School Students - vocational training for high demand jobs like graphic design, video production, fashion design and cosmetology.

Brooklyn Ballot Ideas include:

Youth Employment Training and Partnerships - youth employment training in the green job market with stipends,
Young Parent Support and Classes - childcare and parenting skills for young parents,
Intergenerational Financial Education and Employment Workshops - an intergenerational model for financial literacy that connects youth with an older adult to learn how to invest and save for the future,
Job Training and Support for Employment for Single Parents - pathways towards employment for single parents,
Youth Led Community Ventures - youth led entrepreneurship projects focussing on beautification for small business owners in the community,
Youth LGBTQ+ Safe Space - a safe space & community hub for LGBTQ+ youth,
Community Kitchen with Classes
Youth Job Training and Employment Opportunities - workforce development and job training for youth,
Reducing Recidivism Rates - mentorship, job training, counselling and re-entry support for justice impacted youth,
Period Pantry for Feminine Hygiene Supplies and Education

Queens Ballot Ideas include:

Pathways to a Successful College Career,
Far Rockaway Community Justice Collective - getting at-risk youth off the streets and out of violence,
Housing Workshops for Older Adults - counselors to guide older adults in finding affordable housing,
Pathway to Professions for Youth - afterschool professional development for youth,
Saving for Your Future - financial literacy workshops,
Rosedale Cancer Support Network - a cancer support network that provides referrals, insurance, and appointments,
Speak Up NYC - helping non-English speakers build their social, interview and public speaking skills,
The People's Theater - mental health through theater,
Justice-Impacted Fellowship Program - fellowships for the justice-impacted to obtain college degrees and connect with work opportunities,
Empowered with Opportunity - workforce development for the unemployed.

Staten Island Ballot Ideas include:

Family, Food, and Conversation - intergenerational cooking classes,
Staten Island Youth Internship Program - internship program for youth in the healthcare sector,
Media Literacy Workshops - focussing on media bias, political accuracy, and cyber-bullying,
Performance Arts Program for Youth - extracurricular performing arts programs for school kids,
Tenant Connect - connecting tenants and landlords for affordable housing,
Drug Use and Overdose Prevention Education.

Flagship events across each borough will also be hosted to encourage voter participation and collect votes on the following dates and locations:

May 18 - Bronx Week Parade & Festival
May 24 - Brooklyn BAM Dance Africa
June 1 - Queens PRIDE Parade
June 7 - Staten Island Fatherhood & Family Fun Day
June 10 - Manhattan Museum Mile

“The People’s Money shows the power of direct democracy at the hyper-local level. Thousands of New Yorkers come together — across boroughs, cultures, socio-economic status, political affiliations, and backgrounds — to shape real solutions for their communities. This process is about more than just money; it’s about trust, inclusion, and building a city where every voice matters. We should all be proud to see our city embrace such an inclusive and impactful approach.” - — Edwin B. Maxwell, Commissioner, NYC Civic Engagement Commission

“At The Flossy Organization, we know real change happens when the people closest to the issues have a say in the solutions. That’s why we’re excited to partner with the CEC during the vote phase of The People’s Money. This process gives everyday New Yorkers the chance to directly decide how public dollars are spent — and that’s what democracy should look like. When our communities get to shape the city’s budget, it reflects their real needs, priorities, and hopes for the future.” —- Winnie Wu, Board of Directors, The Flossy Organization

“Looking ahead, NYCCEC is ecstatic to launch our third cycle of People’s Money. This is a great opportunity to connect with New Yorkers, get them involved in government decisions and keep the spirit of democracy alive in New York City! Please visit our website or follow us on our social media to stay up to speed!” - Jorwell Perez, Director of Public Affairs, NYC Civic Engagement Commission