Funded projects
14 projects chosen by resident vote in the first two Ideas in Action cycles, from residents' ideas to the ballot to the projects now being carried out.
Projects are linked to themes by matching each project's description to the themes; this is not an official City classification.
2024–25
6 projects · $2,000,000
1. Ideas
1,220
2. Proposals drafted
15
3. On the ballot
14
4. Voters
4,462
5. Winning projects
6
Vote held January 2025; voters chose 4.35 projects on average.
Install Benches at High Ridership Bus Stops
$150,000
This proposal will allow the City's Transportation Department to install benches at high-ridership bus stops across the City.
Programs Supporting Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Youth
$250,000
This proposal will offer grants to nonprofit organizations to support youth ages 14-21 who are formerly or currently incarcerated, helping them build a brighter future.
Rental Assistance for Boston Youth
$200,000
This proposal will fund a pilot rental assistance program for Boston residents between the ages of 16-24 to stabilize their housing situation.
Rat Prevention Initiatives in Dense Residential Areas
$500,000
This proposal aims to tackle rodent infestations in identified hotspots by improving waste management practices and reducing food access for rats.
Expand Access to Fresh Foods
$400,000
This proposal will offer grants to nonprofit organizations to bolster assistance programs for Boston residents facing food insecurity.
Community Gardens in Neighborhoods with Limited Affordable Food Access
$500,000
This proposal will offer grants to nonprofit organizations to build community gardens on underutilized land for public access and use.
Source: boston.gov, boston.gov
2025–26
8 projects · $2,200,000
1. Ideas
1,203
2. Proposals drafted
14
3. On the ballot
14
4. Voters
4,919
5. Winning projects
8
Vote held Winter 2025–26 (4,480 online, 439 on paper); voters chose 4.5 projects on average.
Immigrant Legal Defense Fund
$400,000
The proposal will support programs that address the need for immigration-related legal assistance.
Neighborhood Fresh Food Access Initiative
$500,000
This proposal provides funds to local organizations to increase access to healthy food in neighborhoods with higher food insecurity rates.
Bridging the Gap: Assistance for Housing Stability
$200,000
This proposal establishes a flexible funding pool to help Boston residents at risk of or experiencing homelessness to secure or maintain housing.
Immigrant Career Pathways: Bridging Language and Employment
$300,000
This proposal provides grants for ESOL classes combined with skills training and certifications.
Green My Block
$100,000
This proposal transforms underutilized city-owned spaces along roadways and sidewalks through community-led greening initiatives.
Workforce Training Programs Focused on Trades
$300,000
This proposal provides grants to expand vocational training in trades with a focus on low-income residents.
Youth Financial Literacy and Empowerment Workshops
$250,000
This proposal provides financial literacy workshops at youth job sites, local events, and colleges for young people ages 14-24.
Small Business Development Resource Program
$150,000
This proposal offers technical assistance in relevant subject matter areas to support small business entrepreneurship across Boston.
Source: cycle report to the External Oversight Board, boston.gov
2026–27
Proposal development (October – November 2026)
1. Ideas
1,325
2. Proposals drafted
October – November 2026
3. On the ballot
After proposal development
4. Voters
Voting January – February 2027
5. Winning projects
Chosen after the vote
In progress: 1,325 ideas were collected July 1 – August 7, 2026. Proposal development runs October – November 2026 and voting January – February 2027.
Source: boston.gov