As part of his ongoing effort to make the annual city budget funding process as transparent and open as possible, Councilman David G. Greenfield is again inviting all non-profit organizations to attend his fourth annual budget workshop. At this important session, non-profit groups that serve the people of the 44th District will learn about the city’s application process for applying for discretionary funding and have any questions answered. This mandatory meeting will ensure that each group has a fair and equal chance to submit their application to the city, and will help Councilman Greenfield learn more about the work the group performs on behalf of the residents of Boro Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst. In order to apply for discretionary funding, non-profit organizations must send a representative to this meeting, which will be held this Tuesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. at Councilman Greenfield’s district office located at 4424 16th Avenue in Boro Park.

“I know that many of the outstanding non-profit groups serving my district count on this support from the city in order to continue their important work. One of my most important roles is fighting to secure funding for these organizations on behalf of the many local residents who rely on their services and programs. That’s why I remain committed to making this annual application process as fair and easy for everyone involved, and I urge all local organizations to attend Tuesday’s important information session,” said Councilman Greenfield.

The upcoming budget workshop will provide attendees with all of the tools and information needed to successfully complete the City Council’s online application for government funding. The short presentation will include a sample application to show exactly what information non-profits need to provide and will include a chance for representatives to ask questions about the funding and budget process. To be clear, attendance at this meeting does not guarantee that an organization will receive funding, but it will ensure that their application is considered and help Councilman Greenfield understand each group’s specific needs and goals.

When first running for office four years ago, Councilman Greenfield pledged to make the budget process as fair, easy and open as possible. To fulfill that promise, he has held his annual budget workshop each year since taking office in order to open up the process to the public. In addition, he is inviting all district residents to have a say in the city budget by taking part in the ongoing participatory budgeting initiative in the 44th District. Under participatory budgeting, residents have the opportunity to vote on specific capital projects they would like implemented in their neighborhood using $1 million in city funding that Councilman Greenfield has set aside for this initiative. Residents from around the district have brainstormed and suggested ideas over the past few months for how the money can best be spent to improve the community, and all residents ages 16 and older are invited to vote this spring on which ideas should be funded.

“I hope that all community organizations will take this opportunity to be considered for New York City discretionary funding and to discuss how this money would be used to improve the quality of life for local residents. While our city still faces difficult challenges and decisions in this year’s budget, I am committed to assisting as many groups as possible while also fulfilling my promise to bring this process out into the open,” added Councilman Greenfield.

Tuesday’s workshop will be held in the second floor ballroom directly across the hallway from Councilman Greenfield’s district office. To RSVP, please call (718) 853-2704 or e-mail [email protected].

(YWN Desk – NYC)