Launched in 2022, Marin County’s Participatory Budgeting initiative included a multiphase plan to engage community members to decide how to spend $2.5 million to improve the quality of life and advance equity for all who live, work, and learn in Marin County.
The first phase involved asking the community for ideas on how to spend the funds to advance racial equity in the county. The ideas were focused on four key communities where notable racial disparities exist: Marin City, Novato, West Marin, and the Canal Area in San Rafael. Hundreds of thoughtful ideas—including creating disaster preparedness programs, building community gardens, creating affordable homeownership opportunities, and developing youth enrichment classes—were submitted.
After the county received ideas, the second phase entailed inviting community partners such as nonprofit and community-based organizations to submit grant proposals. Grants from $10,000 to $250,000 were awarded to the finalists. A diverse committee of community members of different ages and socioeconomic backgrounds was assembled to review and evaluate the 104 proposals received.
“Our community partners were instrumental in codesigning the process with us to ensure that we centered the needs and perspectives of community members at the margins of our system,” says Jordan.