irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $426KCLEAN AND SAFE:PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN MAINTAINING AND AUGMENTING CLEAN STREET/CURBS, TRASH PICK UP AND CLEANING OF SNOW AND ICE.
- #2 $264KBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT:CULTIVATE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH PROPERTY OWNERS, REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY, AND CITY, STATE AND COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES FOR RECRUITMENT AND ATTRACTION.
named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Advocacy
Represents property owners and merchants in discussions with city, county, and state agencies on issues including cleanliness, safety, planning, and code compliance
Beautification
Installs and maintains streetscape enhancements including flower baskets, planters, holiday lights, and public art to improve visual appeal of downtown
Business Attraction
Provides investment information, market data, and guided tours to support commercial, retail, and residential development in downtown Albany
Clean Team
Provides daily street cleaning and snow/ice removal across the BID district; ambassadors perform over 5,000 hours of service annually and collaborate with city agencies on infrastructure and safety issues
Marketing & Communications
Manages promotional channels including newsletters, social media, public relations, ribbon cuttings, and the BID website to support over 300 downtown businesses and promote downtown as a destination
Place Making
Activates public spaces through visual design, public art exhibits, and interactive installations, formerly known as Sculpture in the Streets
Safety
Partners with the Albany Police Department’s Community Outreach Program and supports beat cops in the downtown business center Monday through Saturday
Special Events
Organizes community events including PearlPalooza, Hounds of Halloween, Hot Chocolate Stroll & Holiday Market, and weekly outdoor yoga and summer concerts to activate public spaces and support local businesses
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Business Improvement District Management 2 activities
- Researching and developing streetscape improvement strategiesCollaborates with property owners and city officials to research, plan, and implement long-term streetscape enhancement initiatives aimed at improving the functionality and aesthetics of downtown public spaces.
- Supporting business development and downtown promotionEngages in business recruitment and economic development by partnering with property owners, real estate professionals, and government representatives to attract new businesses to downtown Albany. Also conducts public relations campaigns to promote the district and support local commerce.
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Member Business Referral & Discount Programs 1 activity
- Administering the Downtown Albany Gift Card programManages a digital gift card program redeemable at more than 35 locally owned businesses in downtown Albany. The cards are distributed via text or email and include bulk purchase options for use in employee rewards and client appreciation initiatives.
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Public Space Beautification and Maintenance 1 activity
- Implementing public space activations and streetscape improvementsEnhances downtown public spaces through visual design, public art installations, and infrastructure upgrades. Activities include installing hanging flower baskets, decorative planters, holiday lighting, overhead lighting, street furniture, sidewalk murals, vinyl-wrapped artwork on building doors (Open Gallery project), permanent interpretive historical panels (Signs of Greatness: Albany Stories), and iconic wooden shoe sculptures celebrating local heritage. These efforts aim to beautify and revitalize the urban environment.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Organizing and hosting recurring community events in downtown AlbanyPlans and executes a wide range of recurring public events in downtown Albany, including weekly outdoor yoga, summer concert series like Alive at Five, monthly First Friday events, seasonal activities such as the Hot Chocolate Stroll & Holiday Market, scavenger hunts, Hounds of Halloween, and PearlPalooza—an annual outdoor music festival on North Pearl Street that draws thousands. The organization hosts an average of over 140 events per month across these programs.
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Supplemental Urban Sanitation Services 1 activity
- Providing street maintenance and cleaning servicesConducts regular street cleaning including litter removal and snow and ice clearance on sidewalks and crosswalks through a team of ambassadors who collectively work over 5,000 hours annually to maintain clean and accessible public areas in downtown Albany.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Operating Mr Bumbles Cafe in downtown AlbanyRuns a second location of Mr Bumbles Cafe in downtown Albany, offering daily breakfast and lunch service from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with options for online ordering, pickup, and delivery.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.83M
Contributions & grants$1.82M99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$10K1%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$1.76M
Program expenses94%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$475K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.20M
Cash$786K
Investments$0
Liabilities$182K
Net assets$1.02M
Liquid reserves5.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +57.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEORGETTE STEFFENS | Executive Direc | 40 | $35K |
board members · 17
- ADAM SANDERS — Director
- AMANDA ROZSAVOLGYI — Director
- ANDREW HORVATH — Director
- ANGELO MADDOX — Treasurer
- BENN MAC DONALD — Director
- ELIZABETH YOUNG JOJO — President
- FRANK O'CONNOR — Director
- FRANK ZEOLI — Director
- HON DARIUS SHAHINFER — Director
- JAMES HART — Director
- JOSH WAINMAN — Director
- LEOLA EDELIN — Director
- LEYLA KIOSSE — Director
- LISA REDDY FARRELL — Vice President
- LUCAS ROGERS — Director
- MOHAMED HEMMID — Director
- NEIL MC GREEVY — Secretary
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- Albany Barn Partner — Co-organizes the Capital Walls public art project.
- Albany Center Gallery Partner — Co-presents the Open Gallery public art project and leads the Capital Walls initiative with other partners.
- Albany County Government — Engages with county leadership and departments to support downtown development and operations.
- Albany Parking Authority Partner — Co-organizes the Capital Walls public art project.
- Albany Police Department Partner — Collaborative partnership to enhance downtown safety through the Community Outreach Program and beat cops assigned Monday through Saturday.
- City of Albany Government — Engages with city leadership, including the mayor, in public events and as part of broader downtown economic development efforts.
- City of Albany Government — Holds relationships with city departments to advocate for downtown cleanliness, planning, and safety on behalf of property owners and merchants.
- City of Albany Partner — Collaborates on streetscape improvement strategies, business development, and clean streets initiatives.
- County Representatives Government — Works with county-level officials on downtown improvement and business development initiatives.
- Department of General Services (DGS) Partner — Works closely with DGS on trash and recycling removal, lighting, infrastructure, and greenery improvements in downtown Albany.
- Downtown Albany BID Partner — Collaborates on public art projects including Open Gallery and William Street improvements.
- Downtown Albany BID Partner — Partner organization handling bulk gift card purchases and program coordination.
- Downtown Albany Business Improvement District Government — Issues RFQs and organizes PearlPalooza in partnership with the Downtown Albany Restoration Program Inc.
- Downtown Albany Business Improvement District Partner — Collaborates with the Downtown Albany BID, which supported the ribbon-cutting event and promotes the cafe as part of downtown revitalization.
- In Our Own Voices, Inc. Partner — Collaborates with In Our Own Voices, Inc. to host a Pride Night event celebrating two decades of advocacy for BIPOC LGBTQ+ communities.
- Metroland Now Partner — Co-organizes the First Friday event series in downtown Albany.
- New York State Urban Council Network — Executive Director Georgette Steffens serves as a Board Member, connecting the BID to statewide urban policy and initiatives.
- Property Owners in Downtown Albany Partner — Partners with property owners to support business development and visual improvement projects.
- Real Estate Community Partner — Engages real estate professionals in business recruitment and downtown revitalization efforts.
- State Representatives Government — Collaborates with state-level officials to support downtown revitalization and economic development.
- Tom Vacanti Partner — Co-owns Mr Bumbles Cafe with Tom Vacanti, who also owns Dove + Deer in Albany’s Center Square neighborhood.
- Yiftee Partner — Technology partner enabling the digital gift card platform and distribution.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cultural Activation of Underutilized Spacesmethodology: cultural_activationBy transforming underutilized urban spaces like alleyways and side streets into cultural venues such as outdoor galleries and event sites, the organization increases public foot traffic and community engagement, because accessible art and programming create reasons for people to explore and connect with downtown areas.
- Event-Based Community Engagementmethodology: event-based community engagementBy hosting recurring, high-quality public events—including concerts and after-parties at notable venues—the organization fosters sustained downtown vibrancy and business engagement, because memorable shared experiences build emotional connections to the downtown space and encourage repeat visitation.
- Stakeholder-Driven Economic Revitalizationmethodology: public-private-partnershipBy aligning local businesses, property owners, government entities, and real estate stakeholders in collaborative planning and marketing, the organization stimulates business recruitment and strengthens the local economy, because coordinated public-private action creates a more attractive and functional urban environment for residents and visitors.