Council Approves Grants Supporting Youth Employment, Environmental Leadership, and Community…

This week, the Council approved a series of grants and donations that will support youth employment opportunities, environmental workforce development, neighborhood programming, and community engagement across Boston.

Approved grants and donations include:

• $2,520,000 - YouthWorks Grant awarded by the MA Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to support a Summer and School Year jobs program through the Office of Workforce Development. The program will provide leadership development, skills training, and career exploration for low-income at-risk youth ages 14-25 years old.

• $178,000 - RAY Fellowship grant awarded by the Barr Foundation to support a two-year, paid fellowship through the Environment Department. The fellowship will provide recent college graduates from historically underrepresented communities with professional experience, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities in the environmental sector.

• $100,000 - Sports and Entertainment Events Fund Grant awarded by the MA Executive Office of Economic Development to support neighborhood watch parties through the Office of Tourism. The grant will fund six watch parties on City of Boston property featuring live match broadcasts, family and youth-oriented programming, and opportunities for local small businesses to participate as food vendors.

• $428.67 in-kind donation - Donation from Boston Pride for the People to the Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA2S+ Advancement to support the City's participation in the 2026 Boston Pride for the People Celebration. The donation will cover the cost of tabling at the festival, enabling the Office to promote City programs and events, distribute resources, and engage directly with residents during Pride.

These grants and donations will support workforce development, expand community programming, and strengthen resident engagement across Boston through targeted investments in youth opportunities, environmental leadership, neighborhood activation, and public outreach.