irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $229KDowntown Operations - including transit support for local community.
- #2 $196KBusiness Retention & Recruitment - Compilation of available space listings, preparation of busines recruitment package, identification and solicitation of prospective commercial tenants, administration of surveys nd market analysis.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Business Retention & Recruitment
Supports local economic development through market analysis, tenant solicitation, and management of available commercial space listings.
Downtown Ithaca Gift Card Program
Administers a gift card initiative accepted at over 100 local businesses to promote shopping and strengthen the local economy.
Downtown Operations
Provides transit support and general downtown management services to enhance accessibility and urban functionality in Ithaca’s core.
Government Relations
Advocates for improved public services and downtown beautification in coordination with city agencies, excluding political lobbying.
Special Promotions and Events
Organizes an annual calendar of events, including the Summer Sidewalk Sale and seasonal festivals, to attract visitors and boost local commerce.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Business Improvement District Management 2 activities
- Advocate for downtown beautification and public servicesProvides supplementary downtown hospitality services and advocates for improved public services, including beautification efforts, while maintaining nonpartisan and non-lobbying status.
- Operate downtown revitalization and management programImplements a comprehensive downtown revitalization, management, and promotion program across business development, marketing, government relations, late-night economy, environmental infrastructure, special events, and transportation in downtown Ithaca.
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Regional Tourism Promotion 1 activity
- Administer visitor services and local promotion programsOperates the Downtown Visitor Center, issues Downtown Ithaca Gift Cards accepted at over 100 businesses, and administers the Downtown Employee Discount Program to support local tourism and economic vitality.
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Neighborhood Civic Engagement 1 activity
- Conduct community engagement and planning initiativesLeads community walk audits, de-escalation trainings, and stakeholder engagement efforts including data gathering and strategic planning in collaboration with the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Host cultural and educational programsHosts art exhibitions, walking tours on Ithaca’s Prohibition history, weekly permanent jewelry events, and other cultural programming at venues including the State of the Art Gallery and Fall Creek Atelier.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Organize annual special events and public festivalsProduces and manages a calendar of recurring public events including the Apple Harvest Festival, weekly summer concerts, circus performances, and the Summer Sidewalk Sale, featuring local vendors, food, crafts, and live entertainment in downtown Ithaca.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Run promotional and engagement campaignsOperates the Downtown Summer Bingo program, which incentivizes participation in downtown activities through photo challenges and raffle entries, requiring social media sharing for eligibility.
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Regional Economic Development Initiatives 1 activity
- Support downtown business development and retentionProvides business retention and recruitment services including start-up assistance, expansion support, succession planning, market data, and commercial space listings for downtown Ithaca businesses.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Provide transit information and supportHighlights access to Tompkins County Consolidated Transit (TCAT) bus services and supports community transit as part of downtown operations, with key stops at Green St. and Seneca St. Stations.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.48M
Contributions & grants$1.02M69%
Program service revenue$461K31%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.31M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$569K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.09M
Cash$521K
Investments$0
Liabilities$395K
Net assets$696K
Liquid reserves4.8 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -10.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nan Rohrer | Chief Executive Officer | 40 | $143K |
board members · 24
- Abby Peterson — Secretary
- Amy Cohen — Board member
- Benjamin Sandberg — Board member
- Bryan Warren — Board member
- Callyn Pyhtila — Board member
- Danica Wilcox — Board member
- Dean Zervos — Board member
- Dennis Panagitsas — Board member
- Ducson Nguyen — Board member
- Elsa Hyde — Board member
- Emily Petrina — Board member
- Fred Schoeps — Board member
- Greg Conard — Board member
- Isacc Kain — Board member
- Jan Norman — Board member
- Jen Demarest — Board member
- Jodi LaPierre — Board member
- John Guttridge — President
- Larry Hockberger — Board member
- Laura Larson — Board member
- Lisa Swayze — Board member
- Megan Vidler — Vice President Treasurer
- Meryl Bursic — Board member
- Nathan Lyman — Board member
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- AARP Partner — Collaborates on walk audits funded through the AARP Community Challenge grant program to improve downtown walkability.
- CSP Management Partner — Sponsors the Summer Concert Series dunk tank, with proceeds benefiting the DIA Performer Fund.
- Circus Culture Partner — Collaborates on the production and presentation of the Circus Culture Summer Tour with performances held at locations managed by Ithaca Downtown Bus Improv District Inc.
- City of Ithaca Government — Collaborates on planning and development initiatives, including the City of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan.
- City of Ithaca Partner — Collaborates with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance on the 10-year strategic planning process for downtown revitalization.
- Community Arts Partnership Funder — Administers funding from the NYS Council on the Arts for local arts events.
- Downtown Ithaca Alliance Government — Collaborates on visitor services, employee discounts, and downtown promotion; listed as the contact organization for downtown inquiries.
- Facebook Partner — Platform used for participant submissions and engagement through @downtownithaca
- Fall Creek Atelier Partner — Hosts the Friday Pop-In Permanent Jewelry Happy Hour events.
- GO ITHACA Partner — Partners to promote sustainable transportation options including walking, biking, busing, carsharing, and carpooling.
- Hollenbeck's Cider Mill Partner — Supplies pies for the Great Apple Pie Eating Contest.
- Instagram Partner — Platform used for participant submissions and engagement through @downtownithaca
- Ithaca Downtown Business Improvement District Network — Operates as the Ithaca Downtown Business Improvement District (IDBID)
- NYS Council on the Arts Government — Funding source for arts programming, administered through the Community Arts Partnership.
- Queer Anarchy Collective Partner — Co-hosts de-escalation training events focused on protests, police interactions, and mutual aid.
- State of the Art Gallery Partner — Collaborates to host public art exhibitions in downtown Ithaca.
- TCAT Partner — Provides public transit access to the Apple Harvest Festival, with ADA Paratransit services available.
- The History Center in Tompkins County Partner — Collaborates to lead trained docents on the Prohibition history walking tour in downtown Ithaca.
- The History Center in Tompkins County Partner — Receives proceeds from entries to the Great Apple Pie Eating Contest.
- TikTok Partner — Platform used for participant submissions and engagement through @downtownithaca
- Tompkins Center for History and Culture Partner — Hosts the Downtown Visitor Center within its facility to support visitor engagement.
- Tompkins County Consolidated Transit Partner — Collaborates on public transportation access in downtown Ithaca, including bus stop locations and shuttle services.
- Tompkins County Consolidated Transit Partner — Collaborates to promote public transportation access in downtown Ithaca through TCAT bus services.
- Tompkins County Recycling and Materials Management Partner — Collaborates to provide recycling information and interactive activities during Sustainable Saturday.
- developers Partner — Partners with developers to support downtown improvement and economic development.
- retailers Partner — Collaborates with retailers to support downtown improvement and community vibrancy.
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 and Economic Activation Through Placemakingmethodology: event-based placemakingBy using public events, festivals, music, and gamified engagement, we increase foot traffic and economic circulation in downtown because vibrant, activated spaces attract visitors and encourage sustained local spending and participation.
- Inclusive Community Co-Creationmethodology: community-co-created programmingBy involving community members, artists, students, and teachers in co-designing cultural events and programming, we increase engagement and relevance because programs rooted in local voices reflect community needs and build collective ownership.
- Public-Private-Community Partnership Modelmethodology: public-private-community_partnershipBy partnering with government, business, and community stakeholders, we create more effective and inclusive downtown revitalization because shared ownership leads to broader civic engagement and sustainable development outcomes.