The Nine Neighborhood Fund is the largest and one of the first participatory budgeting initiatives in the state of Rhode Island. Through this process, those who lived in or went to school in Central Providence determined how to spend $1 million in their community to advance health equity.

Facilitated by Central Providence Unidos, the Nine Neighborhood Fund initiative was a multi-year process and made possible by the braiding of Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) Medicaid funding with private, philanthropic funding from Blue Meridan Partners. 

Winning projects included:  

Bathrooms and Plants in Our Parks 

Improve parks by increasing bathroom accessibility and plantings that protect the environment from pollution. 

Peer Mental Health Training 

Provide mental health training for high school students to detect signs among peers who may be struggling with mental health and provide students and parents with resources and support. 

Lead-Free Water Project 

Provide 2,000 households that have lead-contaminated pipes with an NSF-certified water filter dispenser. 

Bike Distribution and Repair 

Distribute 50 bikes and repair kits and offer bike maintenance and repair workshops to low-income residents. 

Food-Bearing Tree Plantings 

Plant 20 food-bearing trees native to Rhode Island such as apple, pear, peach, nut, and berry trees throughout the neighborhoods. 

Soccer for Youth 

Expand the accessibility of soccer playing to more local youth. 

Youth Life Skills Classes 

Provide classes for youth that discuss skills around parenting, personal finance, domestic activities, and other basic life skills. 

Improve Our Bus Stops 

Improve eight bus stops in Central Providence by building shelters and/or installing solar-powered lighting and charging stations.