![1949 RPA Comic cropped, new focal point](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/general/Timeline/1949_RPA-Comic_cropped.png?bossToken=a9996959142bedbca2301f1a05f9f6b1637511f7b4f64a00865969ecd9db2666 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/general/Timeline/1949_RPA-Comic_cropped.png?bossToken=f1410820628298f2d78ffd98ed306dfe838102e9de2386709934e559ce4d66c9 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/general/Timeline/1949_RPA-Comic_cropped.png?bossToken=36c02e1559dad04b314cb3299494dd7ab874ce3a1837eda1093947ac715804c4 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/general/Timeline/1949_RPA-Comic_cropped.png?bossToken=f3afbabb5a33c11efcaecf34f6b936980ea7a091f03bfca48763ae36e9c34dfb 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/general/Timeline/1949_RPA-Comic_cropped.png?bossToken=8432d7b28fa247a3458b0032ae67a5cef441e8c8a4fe1effab0ea497fb996837 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/general/Timeline/1949_RPA-Comic_cropped.png?bossToken=80b54ca07925606951f60a295a8d2d1115de693406e5dc7b0cd3dec3e378a35c 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/general/Timeline/1949_RPA-Comic_cropped.png?bossToken=435c9a22d1e64111a76a7540817a4ed65f283fbb7a7e21b3407c4a4f1406ae67 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/general/Timeline/1949_RPA-Comic_cropped.png?bossToken=f7294cf0187646a213cfb9d889958567d992809d72da080570f54ddcc771b362 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/general/Timeline/1949_RPA-Comic_cropped.png?bossToken=3d1106155d22177a7a922422a2183de9b434ca22a50989e02705bbd4f551a523 1543w)
Image from the RPA Timeline
RPA Board Structure
The Board is governed by five administrative committees: Centennial, Audit & Finance, Communications, Executive, and Nominating & Governance. Board members may also join state committees and working groups. All Board members are elected to three-year terms.
Participation & Meetings
Board members are expected to attend three Board meetings a year. They are also invited to participate in a variety of special programs and briefings throughout the year. Board members are encouraged to serve on RPA’s committees, including the administrative committees and working groups, to address pressing issues. Board members are expected to help staff with project proposals in their areas of expertise.
![Screen Shot 2023 11 21 at 9 32 49 AM](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Screen-Shot-2023-11-21-at-9.32.49-AM.png?bossToken=9a6660ed62fd290cffd80a37ddba6974618b96b7595cd7c5c7a77263958e4fe6 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Screen-Shot-2023-11-21-at-9.32.49-AM.png?bossToken=c79761f3dc70e8c28d2b885a47606a448d7faa18a3d40f621ad04a48333f167d 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Screen-Shot-2023-11-21-at-9.32.49-AM.png?bossToken=dc3b43998a6687b19f0b8a88e1baca8fa664ad9cab06f374ddc0970b0849cc4d 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Screen-Shot-2023-11-21-at-9.32.49-AM.png?bossToken=b2c6420a9ce5b39a02e73c18647681cc6d51cf1914a1bb527ab9d2fd69e36efe 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Screen-Shot-2023-11-21-at-9.32.49-AM.png?bossToken=3ea6c3e31caee414a7d43bafb4ec7b30e51d5c1a533f90efecf3b390eb63658c 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Screen-Shot-2023-11-21-at-9.32.49-AM.png?bossToken=e857db81e19316d96c33966b1a843bfc8a55a13edd9bf7d82f2f30409f340088 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Screen-Shot-2023-11-21-at-9.32.49-AM.png?bossToken=4a79a28a5cb7d4ce374bd0922994db072de3ee76b2584207b599df16f40df4d5 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Screen-Shot-2023-11-21-at-9.32.49-AM.png?bossToken=47e84ab18ee5199057052c05d4b9c628b4d631fa4b1750419af159d78ace7b42 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Screen-Shot-2023-11-21-at-9.32.49-AM.png?bossToken=aecd3e378f49143e1dce0a3419c560d63ce7210d3b2298e3fc473a916f52ac22 1543w)
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We think long-term and cross-sectionally. We understand that urgent issues such as housing, transportation, infrastructure, climate change, and COVID recovery are intertwined, and our work transcends political and capital budget timelines to create transformative ideas and multi-year advocacy efforts to bring about positive change with multigenerational impacts
Our independent research is world renowned and guides our advocacy. Our independence and research excellence define us, and ensure we remain respected by public, business, civic and community groups as a trusted advisor, advocate and convener.
We are regional thinkers. We are the only civic organization in the area whose work is driven by a deep understanding of the connectedness of NY, NJ and CT and the New York metropolitan area. We also bring together key stakeholders from across the region to drive action. This happens not only on our board and our staff, but in our collaborative work with both NGOs and governmental leaders and entities.
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No. As a leading independent, civic voice in the region for more than a century, our influence lies with our strong track record of research, planning, advocacy, and deep relationships across the public and private sectors built over decades. We have no governmental charter or dedicated public funding.
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RPA’s work is recognized by urban planners and related entities all over the world. While most of our work focuses on the tri-state metropolitan region, we do occasionally engage at a broader level. This work ranges from our current Healthy Regions Planning Exchange that includes 10 regions across the United States to representation on international panels and projects addressing COVID recovery in cities across the world.
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We have approximately 25 full-time staff members and several part-time Senior Fellows and Interns. RPA staff are experts on a variety of topics, including transportation, housing, community design, economic development, energy and environment. Most of our research and advocacy staff have graduate degrees and have worked in the public sector.
Our annual budget is about $6.5 million, with about 30% coming from foundations, 45% from corporations, and the rest from individual donors, government, and special events. Of this funding, approximately 55% is unrestricted, while the remaining 45% is for specific projects or programs.
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When the issue:
Significantly advances RPA’s four core values: Equity, Health, Prosperity and Sustainability
Leads to long-term, region-shaping outcomes
Leverages short-term opportunities
Attracts support from key partners and/or decision-makers
Fills a need that no other organization can address as well as RPA
Generates enough funding to support RPA’s work
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The RPA Board is made up of about 110 civic, business, philanthropic, and academic leaders from a range of industries and backgrounds. Several board members are former public officials, but our by-laws disallow anyone who is currently in a paid public position from being on the board.
The RPA Executive Committee includes about 24 board members, including the leadership of the subcommittees – Nominating & Governance, Finance & Audit, Centennial (for fundraising purposes) and Communications – and the state committees.
Board members are elected to three-year terms. There are no term limits to serving on the RPA Board, but committee chairs are generally limited to two three-year terms.
In recent years the Nominating & Governance Committee has made a concerted effort to attract new members from sectors that are underrepresented, including technology, health care and environmental policy, as well as geographies outside New York City. The Committee has also put a special emphasis on increasing the racial and gender diversity of the board, so that our board will better represent the region we serve.
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In addition to exercising fiduciary duties in accordance with the NYS Not-For-Profit Corporation Laws, board members are asked to attend three board meetings a year: the annual meeting in February, the end-of-the-fiscal-year meeting in June, and a full-day retreat in October. In addition, we ask that board members serve as an ambassador for the organization and support RPA financially.
RPA Board members are also encouraged to support the organization in a variety of ways: by providing expertise to resolve key policy issues; providing access to policymakers and key stakeholders; hosting meetings or events; and inviting members of their networks to events.
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Upon joining the RPA Board, individuals commit to an annual financial contribution for each year of their three-year term. This funding provides RPA with the reliable, unrestricted income necessary to implement our priorities and attract and retain our expert staff—enabling us to advance our shared mission to improve the New York metropolitan region’s economic growth and quality of life.
Levels of Support
Builders’ Circle — $10,000+ Individual Sponsorship
- Insider virtual roundtables offering previews of upcoming RPA reports
- Infrastructure and project tours to witness our mission in action
- Partner sponsorship at the Assembly conference (a $5000 value)
- Exclusive in-person RPA lectures, workshops, and roundtable discussions
- Special infrastructure and project tours to witness our mission in action
Leadership Circle — $25,000+
- All Builder’s Circle benefits
- Upgraded Silver sponsorship at the Assembly conference (a $15,000 value)
- One tailored briefing by RPA executive leadership
President’s Circle — $50,000+
- All Leadership Circle benefits
- Upgraded Gold sponsorship at the spring Assembly (a $25,000 value)
- Two Private consultations by RPA executive leadership
- Invitations to select Chair’s Circle intimate dinners with special guests
Chair’s Circle — $100,000+
- All President’s level benefits
- Upgraded Platinum sponsorship at the Assembly conference (a $100,000 value)
- Quarterly consultations with executive leadership and presentations by senior RPA staff
- Invitations to quarterly Chair’s Circle intimate dinners with special guests
Opportunities to Contribute Above and Beyond the Annual Board Commitment
- The annual fall Celebrate the Tri-State benefit honoring key leaders and projects across the region. Board Members sponsor this event through table, ticket, and ad purchases.
- Program and Project Support. Many Board Members provide grants to specific programmatic initiatives that align with their personal and professional interests.
- Enhanced Assembly Sponsorships. Each year, Board Members are invited to enhance their Assembly presence through increased sponsorship of virtual panels, the Speakers & Sponsors reception, Friday lunch program sessions, the closing cocktail reception, and more.
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Board members can participate in any of our state committee meetings. The New York, Connecticut and New Jersey Committees each meet approximately four times a year. The state committees discuss major policy issues and provide an on-the-ground presence for the organization.
Board members can also help advance RPA’s policy agendas by participating in special task forces on particular topics (for example, NYCHA, urban design, or energy policy), or participating in any of the policy strategy sessions, special briefings and tours that are organized throughout the year.
Lastly, board members can help amplify RPA’s reach by supporting our communications efforts (speaking to the media on our behalf, providing social media updates, etc.), hosting an event, or introducing us to political leaders, new colleagues and potential supporters.
- List of RPA Board members and state committee members
- Regional Plan By-Laws
- Board Guide to Giving
- FY 2023 budget
- Annual Reports
- 2023 state campaign and issue cheat sheets: New York | New Jersey | Connecticut
- State committee fact sheets: New York | New Jersey | Connecticut
- RPA Staff contact information and full staff list
Contact Lacey Cotter: [email protected]