irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $256KCOMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY - NY4P'S COMMUNITY OUTREACH SEEKS TO BUILD AND STRENGTHEN A GRASSROOTS NETWORK THAT CAN WORK ON ITS OWN AND WITH NY4P TO ADVOCATE ON PARKS BUDGETING AND OTHER PARK AND OPEN SPACE POLICY ISSUES. NY4P LED AND CONTINUED TO BUILD A CITY-WIDE COALITION OF PARK STAKEHOLDERS THAT ADVOCATED FOR STRATEGIC INCREASES AND MAINTENANCE OF PRIOR BUDGET GAINS IN THE NEW YORK CITY PARKS AGENCY BUDGET FOR THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR. NY4P ALSO PROVIDES A VARIETY OF RESOURCES TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER LOCAL ADVOCATES. NY4P USES ITS RESEARCH FINDINGS AS A FOUNDATION FOR ADVOCACY TO PROMOTE ADEQUATE AND EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE CITY'S PARK SYSTEM, AND TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN POLICY AND BUDGET DECISIONS AROUND PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ISSUES.
- #2 $195KRESEARCH AND POLICY - NY4P CONDUCTS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPS TANGIBLE RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND ITS FINDINGS RELATED TO PARK AND OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT, ACCESS, MANAGEMENT, EQUITY, AND SUSTAINABILITY. SAMPLE RESEARCH, ACTIVITIES AND TOOLKIT REPORTS INCLUDE RESEARCH IN CONNECTION WITH AN UPDATED COMMUNITY DISTRICT OPEN SPACE PROFILE SERIES, RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A PEER ORGANIZATION ON THE IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT ON OPEN SPACE AND LIGHT, AND ISSUE-BASED RESEARCH ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Outreach and Advocacy
Builds grassroots coalitions to advocate for equitable park funding and policy; empowers local advocates with research and tools to influence budget and management decisions.
First 100 Days for Parks
Agenda outlining immediate actions for the next NYC mayor to improve park staffing, funding, programming, and maintenance across the city.
Parks 2030
A policy platform advocating for world-class parks in NYC by 2030, calling for 1% of the city budget dedicated to parks, expanded staffing, equitable access, climate resilience, and streamlined capital projects.
Research and Policy
Produces data-driven reports on park access, equity, and management; includes the Community District Open Space Profile series and research on development impacts on open space.
The Daffodil Project
Citywide volunteer initiative distributing free daffodil bulbs and native pollinator seeds for planting in public spaces; serves as a living memorial to 9/11 and COVID-19 victims while promoting civic engagement and urban greening.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 4 activities
- Advancing capital improvements and infrastructure projects in NYC parksAdvocates for and supports planned capital upgrades in city parks, including accessibility, drainage, lighting, and recreational amenities, with over $55 million advanced for Fort Greene Park and Commodore Barry Park, and completed ADA-compliant restroom reconstruction at Commodore Barry Park.
- Advocating for equitable park funding and budget policiesLeads citywide advocacy campaigns to protect and increase funding for NYC Parks, including mobilizing coalitions like Play Fair for Parks, advocating for restoration of budget cuts, pushing for 1% of the city budget to be invested in parks, and securing state and federal funds such as from the Environmental Bond Act.
- Advocating for protection of parkland from non-park developmentsEngages in public advocacy to prevent the use of Bronx parkland and other public spaces for temporary or commercial developments, including opposing proposals for a Cricket World Cup stadium, emphasizing the need to preserve protected park areas.
- Conducting research and publishing policy recommendations on parks and open spaceProduces reports, policy briefs, and interactive tools on park development, equity, sustainability, and public space management, including the Community District Open Space Profile Series, "Fight for Light" publications, and the "Building the Future of New York" recovery agenda. Also developed the Civic Action Tracker, a database mapping civic actions in NYC public spaces.
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Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 1 activity
- Distributing daffodil bulbs and native seeds for public plantingRuns The Daffodil Project, the largest volunteer planting initiative in NYC history, distributing over nine million free daffodil bulbs and native perennial pollinator seeds annually to residents across all five boroughs for planting in public parks and open spaces, initially launched as a living memorial to 9/11 victims.
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Transportation Policy Advocacy & Infrastructure Reform 1 activity
- Maintaining open streets and public corridorsOperates and maintains Willoughby Avenue Open Street as a safe walking and biking corridor since 2020, ensuring continued public access and use of shared street space.
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Neighborhood Civic Engagement 1 activity
- Organizing community engagement and place-based advocacy initiativesHosts walking tours, neighborhood "Walk & Talk" events, and guided assessments across all five boroughs to connect local park conditions with citywide policy advocacy, identify community needs, and advance equitable open space solutions.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.29M
Contributions & grants$1.22M95%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$24K2%
Other revenue$43K
expenses
Total expenses$1.08M
Program expenses68%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising14%
Salaries & benefits$613K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.42M
Cash$228K
Investments$615K
Liabilities$251K
Net assets$1.17M
Liquid reserves9.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +40.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADAM GANSER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $261K |
| SAMANTHA DAVIS | DIRECTOR OF DEV. (THRU JAN 2025) | 40 | $117K |
board members · 20
- ALAN STEEL — TRUSTEE
- AUDREY FEUERSTEIN — TRUSTEE
- BRYAN X GRIMALDI — SECRETARY
- CAROL LOEWENSON — VICE CHAIR
- CATHERINE MORRISON GOLDEN — TRUSTEE
- ELLEN GUSTAFSON — TRUSTEE
- FERN THOMAS — TREASURER
- GABRIELLE BRUSSEL — TRUSTEE
- GEORGE J GRUMBACH JR — TRUSTEE
- JOEL STEINHAUS — TRUSTEE
- JONATHAN MEYERS — TRUSTEE
- JOSH MOSKOWITZ — TRUSTEE
- KAROL ROBINSON — TRUSTEE
- LAURA MONTROSS — TRUSTEE
- LYNDEN B MILLER — TRUSTEE
- MARGARET A DOYLE — TRUSTEE
- MARK WEPRIN — TRUSTEE
- MARLENE PANTIN — TRUSTEE
- PATRICIA ORNST — TRUSTEE
- PAUL GOTTSEGEN — CHAIR
relationships · 57
Who they work with
- Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest Partner — Participated in the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard “Walk & Talk” event with NY4P.
- Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest Partner — Co-signer of advocacy letter following the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard Walk & Talk.
- Berlin Rosen Partner — Public relations or communications partner supporting The Daffodil Project.
- Borough President Antonio Reynoso Partner — Collaborated with NY4P on the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard “Walk & Talk” event.
- Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso Partner — Co-signer of advocacy letter following the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard Walk & Talk.
- Brooklyn Greenway Initiative Partner — Co-signer of advocacy letter and collaborator on the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard Walk & Talk.
- Brooklyn Greenway Initiative Partner — Participated in the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard “Walk & Talk” event and advocates for improved greenway connectivity.
- CHPE Partner — Corporate partner supporting The Daffodil Project.
- Citi Partner — Corporate partner supporting The Daffodil Project.
- Con Edison Partner — Corporate partner supporting The Daffodil Project since 2003.
- Council Member Crystal Hudson Partner — Co-signer of advocacy letter following the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard Walk & Talk.
- Council Member Crystal Hudson Partner — Collaborated with NY4P on the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard “Walk & Talk” event.
- Delta Partner — Corporate partner supporting The Daffodil Project.
- District Council 37 Partner — Co-founded the Play Fair for Parks Coalition together with New Yorkers for Parks and the New York League of Conservation Voters.
- District Council 37 Partner — Co-founded the Play Fair for Parks Coalition together with New Yorkers for Parks; represents NYC Parks workers.
- Fort Greene Park Conservancy Partner — Co-signer of advocacy letter and collaborator on the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard Walk & Talk.
- Fort Greene Park Conservancy Partner — Partnered with NY4P on the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard “Walk & Talk” event.
- Friends of Commodore Barry Park Partner — Co-signer of advocacy letter and collaborator on the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard Walk & Talk.
- Friends of Commodore Barry Park Partner — Participating organization in the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard “Walk & Talk” event.
- Green Thumb Network — NYC Parks-affiliated program supporting community gardens; cited as a program needing continued staff and funding support.
- Greenacre Foundation Partner — Funder or sponsor supporting The Daffodil Project.
- Guardians of Flushing Bay Partner — Co-chair organization of Parks and Open Space Partners coalition supporting Play Fair goals.
- Hydro Quebec Partner — Corporate partner supporting The Daffodil Project.
- JCDecaux Partner — Corporate partner supporting The Daffodil Project.
- Municipal Art Society Partner — Collaborated on the publication of 'Fight for Light Policy Brief' and co-created 'Bright Ideas: New York City's Fight for Light' as part of the Fight for Light campaign.
- NYC Greenways Coalition Coalition — Participating organization in the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard “Walk & Talk” event co-led by NY4P.
- NYC Greenways Coalition Partner — Co-signer of advocacy letter and collaborator on the Fort Greene–Brooklyn Navy Yard Walk & Talk.
- NYC Parks Government — Government agency collaborating with NY4P on The Daffodil Project.
- NYC Parks Government — Subject of advocacy campaigns related to budget, maintenance, and access.
- NYC Parks Plant Ecology Center and Nursery Partner — Partner organization collaborating with NY4P to distribute native perennial pollinator seeds alongside daffodil bulbs.
+ 27 more
strategies · 4
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.
- Dedicated Public Funding as Structural Equity Mechanismmethodology: dedicated-public-funding-for-parksBy advocating for baselined, dedicated public funding—such as 1% of the city budget for parks—the organization produces more equitable and sustainable park systems because structural funding commitments reverse historical underinvestment, especially in lower-income neighborhoods, and reduce vulnerability to annual budget cuts.
- Grassroots and Community-Partnered Advocacy Networksmethodology: grassroots advocacy networkBy building grassroots networks and partnering directly with communities and local leaders, the organization amplifies civic engagement and drives policy change because inclusive coalitions increase political pressure, ensure community ownership, and sustain long-term advocacy momentum on park equity and funding.
- Parks as Climate and Urban Resilience Infrastructuremethodology: parks-as-climate-infrastructureBy treating parks as frontline climate infrastructure, New Yorkers for Parks produces more resilient urban environments because green spaces mitigate extreme heat, manage stormwater, and enhance community adaptation to climate change. This approach integrates ecological function with public health and safety outcomes.
- Research-Based Advocacy for Equitable Park Policymethodology: research-based advocacyBy grounding advocacy in rigorous research and data tracking, the organization produces more effective policy change and equitable resource distribution because evidence increases credibility, enables transparency, and empowers communities to demand accountability in parks funding and planning.