named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Automated Curb Enforcement
Supports policies enabling street sweepers to ticket illegally parked vehicles, improving curb compliance and street efficiency.
Low Traffic Neighborhoods (LTNs)
Promotes the creation of low-traffic neighborhoods that reduce cut-through traffic, prioritize local access, and improve walking and biking conditions.
School Streets
Advocates for closing streets around schools during school hours to reduce traffic, improve safety, and create space for children to learn and play.
Summer Streets
Advocates for expanding the Summer Streets program, which opens car-free routes across the city for people to walk, bike, and play.
Year-Round Outdoor Dining
Campaigns to make outdoor dining permanent and accessible by streamlining applications, reducing fees, and expanding access to underserved neighborhoods.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Transportation Policy Advocacy & Infrastructure Reform 3 activities
- Advancing people-centered street design through legislative advocacyAdvocates for city and state legislation that promotes safer, more equitable streets and public spaces in New York City, collaborating with allied organizations and coalitions to advance policy initiatives.
- Supporting on-the-ground campaigns for safer streets and public space reformRuns hybrid, in-person campaigns focused on school streets, low-traffic neighborhoods, and curb reform, engaging staff and interns in organizing, communications, and policy work to transform New York City’s streets.
- Transforming urban street experience through advocacy and design initiativesWorks to reimagine New York City’s streets by promoting people-first design, challenging auto-centric policies, and advancing systemic changes in public space management.
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Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 1 activity
- Building civic capacity through internships and community engagement programsHosts graduate and undergraduate interns from NYU and Hunter College and supports community members in participating in local governance, including Community Boards, to influence street design and public space policies.
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Urban Policy and Equity Research 1 activity
- Conducting research on urban mobility and public space policyProduces data-driven reports and policy analyses on topics including autonomous vehicles, school streets, curb management, micromobility, and vehicle miles traveled to inform equitable urban planning in New York City.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Organizing public events to promote car-free and vibrant public spacesHosts and organizes community events such as the Public Space Awards, rooftop garden parties, and Car-Free Carolers to foster public engagement and celebrate grassroots leadership in reimagining urban streets.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Advocating for equitable outdoor dining and economic recovery policiesChampioned outdoor dining initiatives that supported over 12,500 restaurants, expanded access in underserved neighborhoods, and contributed to job preservation and local economic benefits in New York City.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.30M
Contributions & grants$3.13M95%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$166K5%
Other revenue$6K
expenses
Total expenses$3.34M
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$2.75M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.42M
Cash$4.39M
Investments$0
Liabilities$114K
Net assets$4.31M
Liquid reserves15.8 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -33.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LISA ORMAN | CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $218K |
| SARA LIND | CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $206K |
| GERSH KUNTZMAN | EDITOR IN CHIEF | 40 | $194K |
| JACKSON CHABOT | DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY & ORGANIZING | 40 | $136K |
| CLARENCE ECKERSON | DIR OF VIDEO PRODUCTION | 40 | $117K |
board members · 6
- CHRISTINE BERTHET — VICE CHAIR
- JOSEPH LIPMAN — DIRECTOR
- JUAN MARTINEZ — DIRECTOR
- MARK GORTON — CHAIR
- RAUL LARIOS — TREASURER
- SEBASTIAN DELMONT — DIRECTOR
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- 31st Ave Open Streets Partner — Co-hosts Nerd Night: The Future of Queens Streets to discuss people-first street design.
- 34th Ave Open Streets Partner — Co-hosts Nerd Night: The Future of Queens Streets to discuss people-first street design.
- BetaNYC Partner — Collaborates on a panel at NYC School of Data 2026 to explore Low Traffic Neighborhoods in New York City.
- City Council Government — Recipient of advocacy efforts regarding school streets funding and outdoor dining policy.
- Civic Pulse Partner — Co-hosts Nerd Night: The Future of Queens Streets to discuss people-first street design.
- Hunter College Partner — Hosts graduate student interns from Hunter College for summer programs supporting Open Plans campaigns.
- Hunter College Partner — Hosts graduate student interns from Hunter College working on School Streets and Low Traffic Neighborhoods initiatives.
- Hunter College Partner — Source of graduate student interns in urban planning who contribute to Open Plans campaigns and projects.
- NYC Council Government — Target of advocacy campaigns related to outdoor dining and street safety policies.
- NYC DOT Government — Collaborates with NYC DOT on street redesigns and safety improvements, such as the West 72nd Street project.
- NYCDOT Government — Decision-making agency engaged in campaigns for Summer Streets and street redesign initiatives.
- NYU Partner — Collaborated on research showing curbside dining expanded access in communities of color and lower-income neighborhoods.
- NYU Partner — Hosts graduate student interns from NYU for summer programs supporting Open Plans campaigns.
- NYU Partner — Hosts graduate student interns from NYU working on School Streets and Low Traffic Neighborhoods initiatives.
- NYU Wagner Partner — Source of graduate student interns in urban planning who contribute to Open Plans campaigns and projects.
- New York City Comptroller Government — Cited for economic impact data on jobs, wages, and tax revenue from outdoor dining program.
- New York City Department of Transportation Government — Evaluated the agency's Curb Management Action Plan and issued progress recommendations.
- Project for Public Spaces Partner — Collaborated with Open Plans to launch the New York City Streets Renaissance Campaign in 2008–2009.
- Transportation Alternatives Partner — Collaborated with Open Plans to launch the New York City Streets Renaissance Campaign in 2008–2009.
- allied organizations Partner — Collaborates with allied organizations on legislative advocacy at city and state levels
strategies · 2
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.
- Grassroots Advocacy + Policy Reform Dual Strategymethodology: community-policy dual approachBy combining community-driven civic engagement with targeted policy advocacy, we produce systemic urban change because grassroots activation builds legitimacy and demand, while municipal-level reforms institutionalize equitable public space design.
- People-First Urban Designmethodology: people-first urbanismBy prioritizing community needs and active mobility over car-centric infrastructure, we produce safer, more equitable, and livable urban environments because streets designed for people foster dignity, reduce harm, and increase public ownership of shared space.