Mission Statement
OpenPlans is a a non-profit that helps cities work better. Our project portfolio uses journalism and open source software to:
-- Give individuals better ways to shape their communities
-- Develop software that is a true public resource
-- Facilitate openness and transparency in government
OpenPlans has a particular interest in what we call 'livable streets,' the overlap sustainable transportation, civic engagement, and city planning. Creating more livable streets and neighborhoods can launch a greener economy, address climate change, reduce oil dependence, help people get to work and school, mend social fabric, and save thousands of lives. Our streets can be vibrant places where neighbors meet, kids play, and everyone can move from place to place more safely and easily.
OpenPlans projects, including Streetsblog(.org) and Streetfilms(.org), are building a powerful movement for livable streets. Today, the five Streetsblogs reach more than 175,000 monthly readers, and Streetfilms have been viewed online more than 2.5 million times.
Description
OpenPlans informs and engages communities through journalism and open source software.
Based in New York, OpenPlans is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit with a team of 60 software engineers, designers, analysts, educators, and journalists. OpenPlans (which was formerly known as The Open Planning Project) was founded in 1999.
OpenPlans is funded through a mix of philanthropic support and fee-for-service activities. We have expertise in a number of areas, and if you have an idea for a mission-aligned project, we would love to talk with you.
A significant portion of our philanthropic support comes from our founder, Mark Gorton. We have also received important support from Transportation For America, the Wallace Global Fund, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Surdna Foundation and private donors.
Our open source projects are designed to eventually pay for the cost of their development through product and consulting services. Given the enormous business challenges of journalism today, we do not expect our civic media activities to be self-sufficient in the near future, so foundation support, individual giving by patrons, sponsorships, and advertising are critical to these efforts
