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VAN ALEN INSTITUTE PROJECTS IN PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE
BROOKLYN, NY · EIN 131655152 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A40 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · vanalen.org
revenue
$2.2M
expenses
$2.4M
net assets
$37.0M
employees
27
volunteers
21
program ratio
75%
mission · from form 990

VAN ALEN INSTITUTE HELPS CREATE EQUITABLE CITIES THROUGH COMMUNITY-LED INCLUSIVE DESIGN. IN AN EQUITABLE CITY, COMMUNITIES ARE ENGAGED IN THE CONCEPTION AND CREATION OF THEIR BUILT ENVIRONMENT, REGARDLESS OF INCOME OR PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. COMMUNITY-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING BUILDS RESILIENCE, SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, AND ULTIMATELY, MORE JUST CITIES. WE PARTNER WITH LEADERS OF HISTORICALLY DISINVESTED COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND LONG TERM VISIONS WITH OUR NETWORK, KNOWLEDGE, AND RESOURCES. WE SHAPE DIVERSE INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAMS, BUILD CROSS-SECTOR PUBLIC/PRIVATE COALITIONS, AND INVEST OUR OWN FUNDS TO SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD PRIORITIES. BY CENTERING COMMUNITY IN EVERYTHING WE DO, OUR INCLUSIVE DESIGN METHOD RESPONDS TO THE URGENT NEED FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE IN CITYMAKING. FOR 130 YEARS, OUR PURPOSEFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, CONVENING CAPACITY, AND GLOBAL NETWORK HAVE PRODUCED PROFOUND TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE PUBLIC REALM OF NEW YORK CITY AND BEYOND. WITH AN INTERDISCIPLINAR

profile · synthesized from sources

Van Alen Institute advances equitable cities through community-led urban design, partnering with historically disinvested communities to shape inclusive public spaces. The organization supports emerging designers and fosters cross-sector coalitions to address social justice in citymaking. Based in Brooklyn, it implements public realm projects, exhibitions, and programs that center local knowledge and expand access to design.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2022

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $257K
    "PUBLIC REALM R&D" SURFACES THE WORK OF EMERGING DESIGNERS AND TESTS NEW STRATEGIES TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN PUBLIC SPACE. WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE, AND SOME OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE PRACTITIONERS IN DESIGN, WE CREATE SPACES THAT FOSTER TRUST AND SOCIAL COHESION IN LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS. IN 2022, VAN ALEN LAUNCHED COMMON GROUND BY CHERYL WING-ZI WONG IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN PARTNERSHIP.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Friends from the Canal
Public art installation by Mookntaka featuring illuminated sculptures in Gowanus, Brooklyn, accompanied by a scavenger hunt and community events to encourage neighborhood exploration
Public Realm R&D
Surfaces work by emerging designers and tests new strategies to bring people together in public space through community-collaborative installations like Friends from the Canal and Common Ground
Urban Room Exhibitions
Hosts traveling and locally produced design exhibitions such as The House Transformed and NOT NOT at Van Alen’s 303 Bond Street space in Brooklyn
Van Alen Vanguard
Network of 21 emerging design leaders who develop public programs and exhibitions that reimagine designers’ roles in civic life; includes exhibitions like NOT NOT
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Neighborhood Revitalization Initiatives 2 activities
    • Community-led urban design initiatives
      Leads and facilitates community-driven urban design programs such as Neighborhoods Now and Points of Promise, partnering with local organizations in neighborhoods including Jackson Heights, Bed-Stuy, Upper Manhattan, and the Northwest Bronx to co-develop public realm improvements through inclusive, participatory processes.
    • Support for community-led design collaborations
      Provides project scoping, hands-on guidance, seed funding, and coordination support to coalitions of designers, community stakeholders, and city leaders to advance locally driven urban design projects.
  • Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 1 activity
    • Capacity-building programs for emerging design professionals
      Runs cohort-based programs such as the Van Alen Vanguard and other design sprints that support emerging professionals in reimagining urban design and civic engagement, focusing on equity, resilience, and local knowledge.
  • Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
    • Curating research-based design exhibitions
      Curates and presents exhibitions such as "The House Transformed" and "Open Access" that explore historical and contemporary themes in domestic architecture and American design, contributing to public discourse on urban life and design innovation.
  • Site-Specific Artistic Installations and Performances 1 activity
    • Design and installation of public space projects
      Designs, installs, and manages temporary public art and design installations in urban spaces across New York City, including projects such as "Common Build," "Friends from the Canal," "Point of Action," and upcoming Eco-Mutualism at Mitchel Square. These projects often involve community collaboration and address civic issues like public gathering, environmental challenges, and neighborhood identity.
  • Artist Support Grants 1 activity
    • Funding and support for design teams and projects
      Funds shortlisted designers with $1,000 upon proposal submission and awards winning teams up to $33,000 total ($8,000 for development and $25,000 for production, fabrication, and installation) to support the realization of public design projects.
  • Professional Development & Advocacy for Designers 1 activity
    • Maintaining professional networks for urban design innovation
      Operates the Van Alen Council, a global network of systems-thinking design professionals focused on knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving around urban and regional challenges.
  • Architecture and Design Public Education Programs 1 activity
    • Operation of civic exhibition and event spaces
      Operates flexible public venues such as the Urban Room in Gowanus, Brooklyn, and hosts exhibitions, offices, workshops, panel discussions, and events—including the NOT NOT series—to engage communities and emerging design practices. Spaces are made available to nonprofits and community groups on a sliding scale.
  • Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
    • Public programming and community engagement events
      Organizes block parties, scavenger hunts, workshops, and interactive activities—such as the "Creatures from the Canal" block party and the Gowanus Mookntiles scavenger hunt—to foster public interaction with urban design and art, often tied to specific installations or exhibitions.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.22M
Contributions & grants$535K24%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$1.66M75%
Other revenue$30K
expenses
Total expenses$2.38M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$1.26M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$40.86M
Cash$191K
Investments$35.87M
Liabilities$3.87M
Net assets$36.98M
Liquid reserves181.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +55.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DEBORAH MARTON EXECUTIVE DI 40 $197K
KATHLEEN E OVERBECK DIRECTOR OF 40 $182K
ANDREW BROWN DIRECTOR OF 40 $129K
board members · 20
  • ALLISON FREEDMAN WEISBERG — TRUSTEE
  • BYRON BELL — TRUSTEE
  • CARLA SWICKERATH — CHAIR
  • CARLOS MENCHACA — TRUSTEE
  • CAROL E ROSENTHAL — TRUSTEE
  • CLAIRE WEISZ — TRUSTEE
  • DANIEL MALDONADO — TRUSTEE
  • DIANA REYNA — TRUSTEE
  • HANA KASSEM — TRUSTEE
  • JENNIFER L GUSTETIC — TREASURER
  • KATIE SWENSON — TRUSTEE
  • KIA WEATHERSPOON — SECRETARY
  • LATOYA NELSON KAMDANG — TRUSTEE
  • MARK GARDNER — TRUSTEE
  • MARK JOHNSON — TRUSTEE
  • MITCH MCEWEN — TRUSTEE
  • NNENNA LYNCH — TRUSTEE
  • R MAY LEE — CHAIR
  • ROBERT BERNSTEIN — TRUSTEE
  • THOMAS YU — TRUSTEE
relationships · 58

Who they work with

  • 82nd Street Partnership Partner — Collaborates on urban design and public realm improvements in Jackson Heights.
  • 82nd Street Partnership (Jackson Heights) Partner — Collaborated on the Neighborhoods Now initiative to support community development in Jackson Heights.
  • AIANY Partner — Collaborates on public events such as "An Evening with NOT NOT."
  • AIANY Committee on Residential Architecture Partner — Co-presented an event on residential architecture and design practice.
  • ANFA Partner — Co-hosts events including "Public Space as a Living Lab."
  • Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture Partner — Co-organizes the "Public Space as a Living Lab" workshop with Van Alen Institute Projects in Public Architecture.
  • Albany Hive Partner — Collaborative project partner focused on community-driven design in Albany.
  • Arts Gowanus Partner — Collaborated through joint participation in the selection committee for the Friends from the Canal public art installation.
  • Asian Americans For Equality (AAFE) Partner — Thomas Yu, Executive Director of Asian Americans For Equality (AAFE), serves on Van Alen Institute's Board | Executive Committee.
  • Asian Americans for Equality Partner — Partnered through the Neighborhoods Now program to advance equitable design in Chinatown.
  • Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association Partner — Partnered through the Neighborhoods Now program to support neighborhood revitalization in the South Bronx.
  • Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Partner — Collaborates on urban design and public realm improvements in Bed-Stuy Gateway.
  • Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation Partner — Collaborates on urban design and public realm improvements in Bedford Stuyvesant.
  • Bell Donnelly Architects & Planners Partner — Byron Bell, Partner at Bell Donnelly Architects & Planners, serves on Van Alen Institute's Board Members.
  • Broadway Mall Association Partner — Collaborates with Van Alen Institute on the production of a temporary public design installation at Mitchel Square in Washington Heights.
  • Buro Happold Partner — Provided electrical engineering support for the Friends from the Canal installation.
  • Common Build Partner — Project partner advancing community-informed design and construction practices.
  • Community League of the Heights Partner — Collaborates on urban design and public realm improvements in Upper Manhattan.
  • Design Sprints Partner — Collaborative initiative partner focused on rapid urban design solutions.
  • District Design Fellowship Partner — Program partner supporting design professionals in community development projects.
  • Downtown Brooklyn Partnership Partner — Collaborated on the launch of Common Ground by Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong in 2022.
  • Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Partner — Collaborated on the launch of Point of Action by Studio Cooke John in 2020.
  • Fourth Arts Block Partner — Collaborated on the Neighborhoods Now initiative to support cultural and community space development on the Lower East Side.
  • Fourth Arts Block Partner — Collaborates on urban design and public realm improvements on the Fourth Arts Block.
  • Friends from the Canal Partner — Community design partner engaged in neighborhood-based urban projects.
  • Goldman Sachs Funder — Supports Van Alen Institute as a Community Design Ally and through the Goldman Sachs Community Development Grants Program.
  • Gowanus Yearbook Partner — Project partner documenting community and environmental narratives in Gowanus.
  • Jared Della Valle Funder — Provides support that makes the Urban Room possible.
  • LTL Partner — Featured Marc Tsurumaki, Principal of LTL, as a speaker in the NOT NOT closing talk series.
  • Los Circulos Partner — Collaborative design partner focused on community engagement in urban spaces.
+ 28 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.

  • Care-Centered and Transparent Design Practice
    methodology: care_centered_design
    By centering care, transparency, and visibility of labor and climate impacts in architectural practice, we produce more ethical and sustainable design outcomes because making hidden systems visible fosters accountability and deeper community trust.
  • Community-Led Design for Just Urban Environments
    methodology: community_led_design
    By centering community-driven decision-making and local knowledge in urban design, we produce more resilient, socially connected, and just cities because inclusive processes empower historically disinvested communities and ensure culturally grounded, equitable outcomes.
  • Interdisciplinary Science-Informed Design
    methodology: design_science_integration
    By integrating scientific research from neuroscience, environmental psychology, and behavioral data into design practice, we produce human-centered public spaces because measurable insights about cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses improve the functionality and inclusivity of the built environment.
  • Play-Based Public Engagement
    methodology: playful_public_engagement
    By using play, curiosity, and whimsical public art to engage people in urban spaces, we produce greater social connection and re-engagement with shared environments because playful experiences lower barriers to participation and foster collective imagination.