Council Approves Funding for Youth Programs, Workforce Development and Climate Initiatives

During this week's Council meeting, the Council approved twelve grant awards and one gift that will support arts and culture programs, workforce development, youth services, climate resiliency efforts, public safety, digital equity, and improvements to public facilities across Boston.

$250,000 — Boston Family Days Program Support grant awarded by The Boston Foundation to the Office of Arts & Culture. The grant will support the Boston Family Days Program, funded by Amazon via The Boston Foundation.

$225,125.11 — MBI Digital Equity Partnership Program grant awarded by the United States Department of the Treasury, passed through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, to the Department of Innovation & Technology. The grant will fund services and support for residents who cannot afford broadband service or internet-connected devices or who lack the digital literacy skills needed to use the internet.

$202,537.80 — WIOA Adult Activities Admin grant awarded by the United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund the creation of a seamless system of adult education, workforce preparation, and training services.

$150,000 — Boston Family Days grant awarded by The Boston Foundation to the Office of Arts & Culture. The grant will fund the Boston Family Days program from 2026-2027, provided by the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation.

$150,000 — Mayor's Office of Human Services' Connect, Learn and Explore Initiative grant awarded by Boston Children's Hospital to the Office of Human Services. The grant will fund an annual citywide activation summit for youth, recurring professional development sessions and network convenings for youth workers, and a youth needs assessment.

$125,000 — Liberty Mutual Climate Resiliency grant awarded by Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc., passed through the Boston Local Development Corporation, to the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will support mitigative and adaptive approaches to climate change, including innovative solutions, proven strategies, and nature-based initiatives led by grassroots organizations.

$110,000 — FY27 DMH Co-Response grant awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to the Boston Police Department. The grant will fund one full-time recovery coach hired through BEST.

$92,101.40 — WIOA Dislocated Workers Admin grant awarded by the United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund individualized career and training services for dislocated workers to help them rejoin the workforce and overcome barriers to employment.

$50,000 — Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund grant awarded by Bloomberg Philanthropies to the OYEO Admin. The grant will fund open innovation competitions that mobilize young people ages 15-24 to design, develop, and implement youth-driven solutions addressing local needs and the city's climate goals.

$20,930 — El Centro Fellowship grant awarded by Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Boston to the Department of Innovation & Technology. The grant will fund the fellowship program for graduates of the El Centro IT training program.

$15,000 — BTHC Program grant awarded by Donor Group to the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund free tax preparation and filing services for low- to moderate-income Boston residents.

$10,000 — FY23 National Violent Death Reporting System grant awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to the Boston Police Department. The grant will fund data collection by the Bureau of Investigative Services and the Drug Control Unit.

43 HVAC units valued at $84,210 — Gift from FWC2026 US, Inc. to the City of Boston through the Mayor's Office. The gift will provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units of various types for public facilities across the City, including police stations, schools, and municipal offices.