irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $455KCONGESTION PRICING - AFTER YEARS OF ADVOCACY AND PLANNING TO ENSURE THE PROGRAM WOULD SUCCESSFULLY REDUCE TRAFFIC, FUND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, AND IMPROVE AIR QUALITY, THE NATION'S FIRST CONGESTION RELIEF PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN NYC IN JANUARY 2025. SO FAR, THE PROGRAM HAS GENERATED MORE THAN $215 MILLION IN REVENUE AND IS ON TRACK TO RAISE $500 MILLION IN 2025 ALONE. RPA HAS CHAMPIONED THIS POLICY FOR DECADES, AND OUR ADVOCACY CONTINUES ON THROUGH THE CONGESTION PRICING NOW COALITION.
- #2 $266KNEW JERSEY ISSUES - RPA'S NEW JERSEY PROGRAM FOCUSES ON STATEWIDE POLICY AND SYSTEM CHANGES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S PROSPERITY, OPPORTUNITY, AND GENERAL COMMUNITY WELL-BEING. RPA ENGAGES AND COLLABORATES WITH DIVERSE PARTNERS INCLUDING ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, BUSINESS LEADERS, CIVIC STAKEHOLDERS, AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ADVANCE KEY PRIORITIES INCLUDING: PROMOTING POLICIES TO INCREASE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND REDUCE SEGREGATION AND INEQUALITY; INCREASING PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH INVESTMENTS IN THE BUILT AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS; TRANSITIONING TO A DECARBONIZED ECONOMY WITH ROBUST CLEAN ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES; ADVOCATING FOR SMART RESILIENCE PLANNING, PARTICULARLY WITH FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES; AND EXPANDING TRANSPORTATION CAPACITY AND PUBLIC TRANSIT FUNDING, AMONG OTHERS.
named programs · 9 · from sources
What they call their work
Alfresco NYC
Coalition of planning, design, and open space advocates working to ensure equitable development and implementation of permanent open streets and open restaurants programs in New York City.
Build Gateway Now Coalition
Coalition of over 40 civic, business, and labor partners supporting the Gateway Program, the nation's most critical infrastructure project. RPA leads research, communications, and advocacy efforts to advance the project.
Congestion Pricing
Advocated for the nation's first congestion pricing program in New York City, launched in January 2025, aimed at reducing traffic, funding public transit, and improving air quality. RPA continues advocacy through the Congestion Pricing Now coalition.
DesegregateCT
Coalition of nearly 80 nonprofit and neighborhood groups advocating for land use reform in Connecticut to promote economic growth, racial equity, and environmental sustainability, especially near transit hubs.
Destination Meadowlands 2050
Urban design vision reimagining the Meadowlands Sports Complex as an interconnected landscape that integrates entertainment, recreation, and ecological preservation, aligning with climate resilience goals.
Healthy Regions Planning Exchange
Brings together planners, public health officials, and community advocates from 11 regions across the U.S. to share best practices on integrating health equity into regional planning, with a focus on transit equity, climate justice, and housing affordability.
New City Parks
Initiative incubated by RPA that helps small cities create or revitalize parks and park programming in low-income communities lacking green space.
New Jersey Program
Focuses on statewide policy changes to improve prosperity, opportunity, and community well-being in New Jersey, including housing affordability, public health, decarbonization, resilience planning, and transit funding.
Public Housing Analysis - NYCHA
Research initiative identifying solutions to the crisis at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), including financing, land-use, and urban design options to bring 400,000 residents’ homes back to a state of good repair.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Transportation Policy Advocacy & Infrastructure Reform 3 activities
- Advocate for major regional infrastructure projectsLeads advocacy campaigns for transformative infrastructure initiatives such as the Gateway Program through the Build Gateway Now coalition and the implementation of congestion pricing in New York City, which began generating revenue in January 2025 with projected annual revenues of $500 million.
- Promote transit expansion and connectivityProposed and advocated for the Triboro Line (later adopted as the MTA’s Interborough Express) to connect the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn, advancing regional transit equity and access through planning and public engagement.
- Support open streets and public space programsCo-led the Alfresco NYC coalition to advocate for permanent Open Streets and Open Restaurants programs in New York City, providing technical assistance and ensuring equitable benefits for local businesses and communities.
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Housing Policy Advocacy & Tenant Organizing 1 activity
- Advance equitable land use and housing policySupports land use reform and affordable housing through initiatives like DesegregateCT, which operates a coalition of nearly 80 groups to promote housing diversity near transit hubs, and advocates for NYCHA repair and financing strategies to build political support for equitable housing solutions.
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Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 1 activity
- Advocate for sustainable redevelopment of public spacesSupports the transformation of Rikers Island into green infrastructure and proposed reimagining of the Meadowlands Sports Complex as an integrated destination combining recreation, entertainment, and ecological preservation, promoting environmental justice and climate resilience.
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Urban Policy and Equity Research 1 activity
- Conduct research on urban policy and regional systemsProduces independent, objective research on regional challenges including housing (e.g., NYCHA crisis), transportation, utility rates, transit-oriented development, and environmental resilience. Research informs policy solutions and planning frameworks across the tri-state region.
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Community Health Equity Initiatives 1 activity
- Convene regional leaders and practitioners on health and equityLeads the Healthy Regions Planning Exchange, convening planners, public health officials, and community advocates from over 10 regions nationwide to integrate health equity into regional planning and address structural inequities in urban development.
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Global Sustainability Convenings & Forums 1 activity
- Host regional forums and public engagement eventsOrganizes the annual Assembly conference to convene civic, business, and government leaders to discuss pressing regional challenges and foster collaborative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Develop and publish long-range regional plansCreates comprehensive long-range planning visions for the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut metropolitan region, including four major regional plans since the 1920s, with the most recent released in November 2017. These plans guide growth, infrastructure, land use, and sustainability across the tri-state area.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$6.09M
Contributions & grants$5.25M86%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$269K4%
Other revenue$573K
expenses
Total expenses$5.87M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$4.09M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$8.37M
Cash$2.41M
Investments$4.15M
Liabilities$1.31M
Net assets$7.07M
Liquid reserves13.4 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -2.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS K WRIGHT | PRESIDENT & CEO | 35 | $509K |
| KATHERINE SLEVIN | EXECUTIVE VP | 35 | $244K |
| ROBERT FREUDENBERG | VP FOR ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT | 35 | $185K |
| TIFFANY-ANN Y TAYLOR | VP OF TRANSPORTATION | 35 | $176K |
| MOSES GATES | VP OF HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING | 35 | $174K |
| JAMES FINCH | VP FOR FINANCE AND ADMIN. | 35 | $174K |
board members · 19
- ADITYA SANGHVI — DIRECTOR
- ALISON SANT — DIRECTOR
- ANA RUA — DIRECTOR
- ANAITA KASAD — DIRECTOR
- ANDREA WOODNER — DIRECTOR
- ANGELA PINSKY — DIRECTOR
- ANTHONY BORELLI — DIRECTOR
- ANTHONY CASCIANO — DIRECTOR
- ANTHONY COSCIA — DIRECTOR
- ANTHONY SHORRIS — VICE CHAIR
- BARRY LANGER — DIRECTOR
- BLAIR DUNCAN — VICE CHAIR, NEW YORK COMMITTEE
- CHANNON LUCAS — DIRECTOR
- CHERYL MCKISSACK DANIEL — DIRECTOR
- CHRIS LEVENDOS — DIRECTOR
- CHRISTINA PIOCOSTA-LAHUE — DIRECTOR
- CLAIRE WEISZ — DIRECTOR
- CLINT PLUMMER — DIRECTOR
- DAN KENT — DIRECTOR
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Amtrak Partner — Partner organization supporting the Build Gateway Now Coalition.
- Assembly Coalition — Annual conference convening government, business, and civic leaders to debate regional challenges.
- Association for a Better New York Funder — Funder of the Alfresco NYC coalition.
- Bloomberg Philanthropies Funder — Funder of the Healthy Regions Planning Exchange initiative.
- Build Gateway Now Coalition — Member of a coalition advocating for the construction of a new rail tunnel connecting New York, New Jersey, and the Northeast Corridor.
- Build Gateway Now Coalition — RPA leads the Build Gateway Now coalition of civic, labor, and business leaders to support the Gateway Program.
- Connecticut State Committee Coalition — State committee that provides local context, shapes political strategies, and advances strategic priorities in Connecticut.
- Hackensack Riverkeeper Partner — Works alongside Hackensack Riverkeeper in promoting stewardship and public understanding of the Meadowlands ecosystem.
- Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Funder — Local community foundation supporting the DesegregateCT program.
- Healthy Regions Planning Exchange Coalition — Convening platform hosted or co-led by RPA that brings together practitioners and community representatives to advance health and equity in regional planning.
- Healthy Regions Planning Exchange Network — RPA-led initiative that convenes regional planners and advocates to address health and equity in planning.
- JPB Foundation Funder — Funder that seeded the New City Parks initiative through a fellowship.
- MTA Partner — Collaborates on regional transit planning, with RPA's proposed "Triboro Line" adopted as the MTA's "Interborough Express."
- NYCHA Government — Proposes strategies to increase funding and improve management for NYCHA.
- New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority Government — Collaborates with NJSEA on planning initiatives for the Meadowlands District, aligning with its District Master Plan goals.
- New Jersey State Committee Coalition — State committee that provides local context, shapes political strategies, and advances strategic priorities in New Jersey.
- New York Community Trust Funder — Funder of the Alfresco NYC coalition.
- New York State Committee Coalition — State committee that provides local context, shapes political strategies, and advances strategic priorities in New York.
- Open Philanthropy Funder — Funder of the DesegregateCT program.
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Funder — Funder of the Healthy Regions Planning Exchange initiative.
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.
- Climate Resilience through Infrastructure and Ecosystem Integrationmethodology: integrated_climate_adaptationBy advancing climate adaptation through combined infrastructure upgrades, natural system restoration, and decarbonization of energy, transportation, and buildings, we produce resilient regions because systemic threats require coordinated physical and ecological responses.
- Empirical Research-Driven Advocacymethodology: empirical_research-driven_advocacyBy grounding advocacy in empirical research, we produce more credible and influential policy recommendations because data-informed strategies gain greater traction with policymakers and stakeholders.
- Equity-Centered Planning as an Experienced Outcomemethodology: equity-centered_regional_planningBy intentionally designing policies that reduce segregation, expand affordable housing near transit, and enforce fair housing protections, we produce equitable communities because equity requires proactive structural intervention, not just inclusive rhetoric.
- Integrated Regional Planning for Holistic Systems Changemethodology: integrated_regional_planningBy integrating transportation, housing, economic development, and environmental systems across jurisdictional boundaries, we produce more sustainable and equitable regional outcomes because siloed planning fails to address interconnected challenges.