Neighborhood Jobs Trust
The Neighborhood Jobs Trust (NJT) is a public charitable trust replenished by linkage fees from developers of large-scale commercial projects in Boston.
Developers of commercial and institutional development over 100,000 square feet pay linkage fees to the Neighborhood Jobs Trust and the Neighborhood Housing Trust. In general, NJT funds are awarded through competitive RFPs issued when enough money has accumulated in the Trust. The Neighborhood Jobs Trust funds jobs and job training programs for low- and moderate-income Boston residents.
How the Neighborhood Jobs Trust Works
Funds in the Neighborhood Jobs Trust come from jobs linkage fees. The Boston's Zoning law requires that commercial construction projects in excess of 100,000 square feet receive a zoning variance, one condition of which is that the developer of the building is obligated to pay a linkage fee, based on the square footage of their project, into the Trust. Currently, the linkage fee rate for the Neighborhood Jobs Trust is $2.39 per square foot. Developers have two options when they pay their linkage fees into the trust. They can designate the money toward: 1) jobs creation or 2) job contribution.
- Jobs creation money funds job training for workers to be employed, on a permanent basis, at the developer's project-site.
- Jobs contribution money is paid into the trust to be managed by the NJT trustees to residents' benefit.
The three trustees of the Neighborhood Jobs Trust are responsible for setting the trust's funding priorities according to residents’ needs and current labor market conditions. The trustees, who meet quarterly, are City Councilor Julia Mejia, Chief of Worker Empowerment Trinh Nguyen, and Collector-Treasurer Maureen Garceau.
NJT Program Handbook
The Neighborhood Jobs Trust (NJT) Program Guide is a handbook for contracted service providers to implement NJT Job Training Services. It includes:
- a description of NJT
- grant requirements
- best practices for programs
- procedures
- a basic timeline for procedures during the grant period
- a glossary of acronyms, and
- information on data collection.
All sample forms and informational documents are included within the handbook. Please use this handbook as a resource for questions regarding NJT procedures related to your program contract.
If you have additional questions, contact Liz Hughes, Senior Program Manager for NJT at liz.hughes@boston.gov.
2026 NJT Grantees
The following organizations were awarded grants in 2026:
Provides low-income Boston residents with trainings that lead to high-quality union jobs in the hospitality industry with...
Provides career readiness and workforce development to young adults including formerly incarcerated individuals.
Engages Boston’s out-of-school and opportunity youth ages 18–24 in education, credential attainment, and workforce...
Creates economic pathways for immigrants across educational/work backgrounds and aspirations.
Provides scholarships to support low- and moderate-income adult learners across Boston to advance educational equity...
Addresses systemic inequalities by providing pathways into employment in modern logistics and facilities maintenance.
Provides career readiness and exploration, mentoring, mental health support, employment placement to opportunity young adults...
Provides career counseling, post-secondary education planning, funding to support degree or certificate completion, wrap...
Conducts a multi-faceted workforce development training program for Boston-area adults who are seeking a career in the...
Works to improve the lives and outcomes of those impacted by unsheltered homelessness, substance use disorders, and mental...
Provides advanced English language instruction integrated with workforce preparation, digital literacy, and career counseling...
Provides a free, 12-week, 336-hour culinary workforce development program for adults (18+) facing significant and multiple...
About the Commission
The City of Boston has a variety of boards and commissions. Each work with internal departments and the public to serve the City. Each board or commission has a specific number of members. Members go through an application process to ensure they have the expertise and passion for serving. Active members may become holdovers if their official term is up, but there is no new applicant to take their place.
Serving on a board or commission is one of the most impactful ways Bostonians can become active in their community. Read our guide if you are interested in applying.
News
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Current members
| Member | Appointed | Expires | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julia Mejia | 6/8/2022 | Active | |
| Trinh Nguyen | 1/16/2024 | 1/16/2026 | Active |
| Ashley Groffenberger | 4/14/2025 | Active |
Trust Information
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Department:
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Authority:;City
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Term:;2 years
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Stipend:;No
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Total Seats:;3
