named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Land Use and Zoning Advocacy
Engages in community planning and policy advocacy around building height limits, zoning regulations, and development projects such as opposing the Lenox Hill Hospital expansion and supporting equitable citywide zoning reform
NYC Greenways Coalition Participation
As a member of the NYC Greenways Coalition, promotes equitable development of greenways across all five boroughs, advocating for safe, connected, and environmentally beneficial active transportation networks
The Esplanade Rebuilding & Improvement
Advocates for ecological restoration and resilient design along the East River Esplanade, including a proposed living shoreline pilot project between 100th and 116th Streets to improve habitat quality and storm resiliency
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Architecture and Design Public Education Programs 1 activity
- Community education and capacity buildingHosts educational programs such as the Understanding Streets Academy to build community knowledge on street design and safety, featuring experts from transportation agencies and planning firms.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Community recognition programPresents the annual August Heckscher Founder Award to individuals or organizations for exceptional contributions to community service.
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Environmental Policy Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Environmental stewardship advocacyAdvocates for improved environmental conditions in New York City neighborhoods, focusing on solid waste disposal challenges, tree stewardship, newsrack regulation, and ecologically enhanced waterfront infrastructure such as an ecological edge along the East River.
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Motor Vehicle Safety Education 1 activity
- Pedestrian safety outreachConducts outreach to food delivery workers and services to promote traffic safety by distributing message cards that encourage compliance with traffic laws, such as not riding on sidewalks or against traffic flow.
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Urban Resilience Planning & Advocacy 1 activity
- Research on urban design and ecologyConducts and commissions research studies on urban planning and ecological infrastructure, including the 1986 No More Tall Stories report on building scale, a three-year habitat study at the 107th Street pier with the New York Harbor School, and international design competitions and master planning for the East River Esplanade.
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Business Member Promotion Services 1 activity
- Small business support servicesProvides direct support to local small businesses by maintaining and updating a public business directory, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, listing those offering take-out and delivery with current operating hours. Also offers informational resources on federal assistance programs like the Paycheck Protection Program.
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Historic Site Designation Advocacy 1 activity
- Urban planning and land use advocacyAdvocates for urban planning policies including building height limits, landmarking of historic sites, waterfront improvements, and responsible institutional expansion in the Upper East Side and East Harlem. Engages in public hearings, issues policy positions, and collaborates with community organizations on zoning and development proposals such as the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity and Phase II of the Second Avenue Subway.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- International cultural solidarity advocacyPublicly advocates in support of Ukraine, informed by a longstanding relationship with the Ukrainian Institute of America.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$199K
Contributions & grants$174K88%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$2030%
Other revenue$24K
expenses
Total expenses$149K
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising17%
Salaries & benefits$71K
Grants paid out$1K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$216K
Cash$216K
Investments$0
Liabilities$5K
Net assets$211K
Liquid reserves17.5 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +179.5%
relationships · 24
Who they work with
- August Heckscher Foundation Partner — Namesake partner for The August Heckscher Founder Award presented annually by Civitas Citizens Inc.
- BFJ Planning Partner — Includes Georges Jacquemart, a transportation planner and principal at BFJ Planning, as a confirmed guest presenter in the Understanding Streets Academy.
- Carnegie Hill Neighbors Partner — Jointly opposed the Lenox Hill Hospital expansion plan.
- City of New York Government — Collaborates with city government on tree stewardship and solid waste management initiatives.
- Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Government — Engaged by CIVITAS for permitting guidance and receptivity review of a proposed living shoreline pilot project on the Esplanade.
- Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Government — Collaborating with CIVITAS on potential integration of a living shoreline pilot project into the 107th Street pier replacement.
- FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Partner — Jointly opposed the Lenox Hill Hospital expansion plan.
- Frick Collection Partner — CIVITAS monitors the Frick Collection's institutional expansion plans as part of its land use advocacy.
- MTA Government — Monitors and provides input on MTA planning and construction related to the Second Avenue subway.
- Manhattan Community Board 8 Partner — Collaborates on land use, zoning, historic preservation, and development applications.
- Marymount School Partner — CIVITAS monitors Marymount School's institutional expansion plans as part of its land use advocacy.
- Matthews Nielsen Landscape Architects Partner — Retained by CIVITAS to prepare the Esplanade Master Plan, released in 2014.
- McLaren Engineering Partner — Consulted by CIVITAS to conduct an engineering design study for a living shoreline project at the 107th Street pier.
- NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Government — Engages with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission regarding landmark designation and preservation decisions.
- New York City Council Government — Honored CIVITAS on its 45th anniversary for outstanding service and enduring contributions to the community.
- New York City Department of Transportation Government — Collaborates with DOT through advocacy and participation in initiatives, including engagement with Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez in the Understanding Streets Academy.
- New York Harbor School Partner — Partnered with CIVITAS on a three-year study to monitor habitat quality and test edge materials along the East River Esplanade.
- Sam Schwartz Pedestrian Traffic Management Services Partner — Engages Sam Schwartz as a guest presenter in the Understanding Streets Academy to provide expertise on pedestrian and traffic management.
- Street Plans Partner — Features Michael Lydon, a tactical urbanist from Street Plans, as a guest presenter in the Understanding Streets Academy.
- The New York Landmarks Conservancy Partner — Jointly opposed the Lenox Hill Hospital expansion plan.
- U.S. Small Business Administration Government — Directs businesses to SBA resources for PPP loan information and application guidance.
- Ukrainian Institute of America Partner — Longstanding collaborative relationship involving joint benefit events.
- Uptown Grand Central Partner — Collaborates with Uptown Grand Central to share curated guides supporting communities during the pandemic.
- Urban Land Institute (ULI) Partner — Recognized CIVITAS and the NYC Greenways Coalition as key vehicles for advancing equitable greenway development in New York City.
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.
- Community-Driven Civic Engagement and Advocacymethodology: inclusive_civic_engagementBy mobilizing inclusive civic engagement and community-based collaborations, we strengthen advocacy on land use, transportation, and environmental issues, because resident participation and partnership with civic institutions lead to more representative decision-making and sustained improvements in urban quality of life.
- Context-Sensitive and Equity-Centered Urban Planningmethodology: context_sensitive_planningBy advancing urban planning, zoning, and development policies that respond to local context and prioritize equity, we improve neighborhood quality of life and address disparities in infrastructure investment, because designs that respect environmental sustainability, historic character, pedestrian access, and community needs produce more just and livable cities.
- Ecological and Historic Preservation as Public Benefitmethodology: historic_preservationBy advocating for the preservation of historic landmarks and ecologically resilient design such as living shorelines, we enhance environmental health and cultural continuity in urban spaces, because protecting both built heritage and natural systems contributes to community identity, climate resilience, and long-term public well-being.