What Rebuild by Design does

Rebuild by Design is a non-profit research and advocacy organization affiliated with New York University's Tandon School of Engineering, founded in 2013 in the wake of Hurricane Sandy as a regional design competition. It has since evolved into a climate resilience organization that operates through place-based initiatives across multiple U.S. states (New York, New Jersey, California, Kentucky, Vermont, Massachusetts, Colorado, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Puerto Rico) and select international locations (Athens, Greece and Mexico). Its work centers on three program areas: Regional Design Competitions (e.g., Hurricane Sandy Design Competition, Bay Area Challenge), Place-Based Initiatives, and Research & Policy (including the Atlas of Disaster report, Atlas of Accountability interactive mapping tool, Atlas of Inspiration project database, and Rainproof NYC).

The organization produces a portfolio of research reports, interactive mapping tools, and educational toolkits that are made available to the public at no cost. Core products include the Atlas of Disaster (a county-by-county report on climate-driven disasters 2011-2021), the Atlas of Accountability (an interactive map of federal disaster declarations 2011-2024), the Atlas of Inspiration (a database of climate infrastructure projects), the Faith Ready Climate Adaptation Toolkit, and curated collections of climate risk maps and sample presentations. According to the organization, its work catalyzed $8.4 billion in climate infrastructure investment for the Northeast through the Hurricane Sandy Design Competition, and its Atlas of Accountability research shows 99.5% of U.S. congressional districts experienced at least one federally declared major disaster between 2011 and 2024.

Rebuild by Design operates as a community-led, grant-funded organization relying on institutional support from NYU, donations, and collaborative partnerships with government agencies, faith networks, and non-profit organizations (including Waterfront Alliance, NYDIS, and The City Sponge). It does not sell commercial products or services; all publications, toolkits, reports, and interactive tools are freely accessible on rebuildbydesign.org, and revenue is not generated from the resources it distributes. Distribution occurs through its website, location-specific email newsletters, social media (including a 2024 nationwide 50 States campaign), discussion series events, and partnerships with government and community organizations that implement programs locally.

Name

Rebuild by Design

Legal name

Rebuild by Design

Website

https://rebuildbydesign.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rebuild by Design is a non-profit climate resilience research and advocacy organization affiliated with NYU, producing free data tools, reports, and toolkits for governments, faith communities, and the public across multiple U.S. states and select international locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Resilience Research & Advocacy

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disaster Recovery, Reconstruction & Resilience Programs (BPAGAAAK), Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPADALAD)

Keywords

• Climate resilience research
• Disaster preparedness resources
• Community adaptation planning
• Climate infrastructure advocacy
• Interactive disaster mapping tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Minooka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Research and Advocacy: Rebuild by Design is a non-profit research organization affiliated with New York University that operates through grants, donations, and collaborative partnerships with government agencies and foundations. The organization produces research reports, interactive mapping tools, and educational resources that are made available to the public at no cost.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rebuild by Design is a non-profit climate resilience research and advocacy organization that develops and disseminates research reports, interactive mapping tools, toolkits, and educational resources for communities, government agencies, and faith organizations. Its portfolio centers on the Atlas Series (Atlas of Disaster, Atlas of Accountability, Atlas of Inspiration), the Faith Ready Climate Adaptation Toolkit, and place-based resilience initiatives across multiple U.S. states and select international locations.

Product overview

Rebuild by Design is a climate resilience research and advocacy organization that offers a suite of tools, reports, and resources focused on climate adaptation and disaster preparedness. The portfolio includes the Atlas of Disaster (research report), Atlas of Accountability (interactive mapping tool), Atlas of Inspiration (project database), and the Faith Ready Climate Adaptation Toolkit. These resources work together to help communities understand climate risks, access data on disaster declarations, discover model climate infrastructure projects, and prepare for extreme weather events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Atlas of Disaster: County-by-county snapshot of climate-driven disasters across the U.S. from 2011-2021, highlighting widespread impacts and gaps in federal policy.
• Atlas of Accountability
• Atlas of Inspiration
• Rainproof NYC

Products and services

• Atlas of Disaster A research report providing a county-by-county snapshot of climate-driven disasters across the U.S. from 2011–2021, highlighting widespread impacts, gaps in federal policy, and the urgent need for pre-disaster investment. Targeted at policymakers, government agencies, and researchers.
• Atlas of Accountability An interactive mapping tool that tracks federal disaster declarations and post-disaster assistance obligations for every county in the U.S., with overlays by congressional district between 2011-2024. Intended for government officials, advocates, and the public.
• Atlas of Inspiration A growing collection of climate infrastructure projects, planning strategies, and funding approaches helping communities across the U.S. build resilience. Includes projects ranging from green infrastructure to affordable housing and resilient transportation.
• Faith Ready: Climate Adaptation Toolkit A flexible resource for faith leaders of all traditions and communities to learn about severe weather impacts, access resources from governments and nonprofits, identify language for advocacy, and plan ahead for extreme weather events. Co-created with the NYC Faith Sector Climate Adaptation Working Group.
• Climate Risk & Vulnerability Maps A collection of interactive maps and tools for identifying climate risk and vulnerability, including NYC Heat Vulnerability Index, Stormwater Flooding maps, Hurricane Evacuation Zones, Coastal Flood Hazard Mapper, Environmental Justice tools, and climate displacement maps.
• Sample Presentations Downloadable presentations on climate topics including impacts of climate change, preparing for inland flooding, extreme heat and air quality, disaster preparedness training, climate relocation and buyouts, and navigating government.

Quantifiable outcome

• Catalyzed $8.4 billion of climate infrastructure investment for the Northeast through design competitions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• New York University (NYU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRebuild by Design is a research project from NYU's Tandon School of Engineering. The organization conducts climate resilience research and develops tools and frameworks under the university's academic umbrella.
• Waterfront AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the 'Affordability and Climate in NYC' Discussion Series addressing flooding impacts and small property owner needs in New York City.
• The City SpongecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Affordability and Climate in NYC' Discussion Series focused on flooding and property owner solutions for NYC.
• Con EdisonsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides support for the 'Affordability and Climate in NYC' Discussion Series and community education initiatives on flooding and climate resilience.
• NYC Faith Sector Climate Adaptation Working GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-created with NYC faith leaders of diverse traditions representing all five boroughs. The Working Group developed the Faith Ready Climate Adaptation Toolkit for NYC religious communities.
• New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYDIS and Rebuild by Design co-convene the NYC Faith Sector Climate Adaptation Working Group, bringing together faith leaders across all boroughs.
• Blessed TomorrowminorOthersClimate change organization referenced in the Faith Toolkit as a resource for faith organizations strengthening moral connections between climate and faith.
• National Immigration Law CenterminorOthersPartner organization providing 'Know Your Rights' resources for immigrants during disasters, linked in the toolkit resources.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Climate Central: Nonprofit climate research and communications organization producing interactive mapping tools (e.g., Surging Seas) and policy-grade climate data. Closely comparable mission of translating federal and scientific data into accessible tools for policymakers and communities.
• Regional Plan Association: NY-based urban planning and research nonprofit that produces the NYC Resilience Mapper alongside Rebuild by Design. Directly comparable as a regionally focused urban resilience research organization tied to the New York metro.
• Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN): Peer network of local government sustainability and resilience directors that convenes cities around climate adaptation practice. Comparable as a place-based climate resilience intermediary serving municipal government stakeholders.

Broad incumbents

• Global Resilient Cities Network: International network of cities pursuing urban resilience (formed from the legacy 100 Resilient Cities program). Comparable as a city-focused resilience strategy and design competition operator with global scope.
• C40 Cities: Global network of mayors focused on climate action and urban resilience with policy research and accelerator programs. Comparable as a city-facing climate resilience advocacy and research organization with international reach.
• NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council): Large environmental advocacy organization with major climate resilience and infrastructure programs. Comparable as an environmental NGO producing policy research, advocacy, and toolkits.
• RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute): Large independent research and advocacy nonprofit working on energy transition and climate solutions. Comparable as a high-impact climate research and policy organization with practitioner-facing toolkits.
• World Resources Institute (WRI): Global environmental research organization producing data, tools (e.g., CAIT, Aqueduct), and policy analysis on climate and resilience. Comparable as a research-driven nonprofit producing widely used climate datasets and tools.
• ICLEI USA: U.S. office of ICLEI supporting local governments on climate, energy, and resilience. Comparable as a local-government-facing climate resilience capacity-building organization.

Others

• Aspen Institute: Policy-focused nonprofit that convenes leaders on climate and community resilience. Comparable in mission as a convening and policy thought-leadership organization, though broader in scope than climate adaptation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rebuildbydesign
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPznVOo9jxeW0i9ImEMrlwA
• Facebookfacebook.com/rebuildingbydesign
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rebuild-by-design

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rebuild by Design