Rapoza Associates
Rapoza Associates is a Washington, DC-based public interest lobbying firm founded in 1984 that represents over 60 community development organizations, national associations, and coalitions before Congress and federal agencies on tax, housing, and small business policy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Rapoza Associates does
Rapoza Associates is a Washington, DC-based public interest lobbying and government relations firm founded in 1984 by Bob Rapoza. The firm represents more than 60 of the nation's leading community development organizations, national associations, and coalitions before Congress and federal agencies. Operating with a lean staff of six, the firm functions as a boutique, founder-led practice focused on community development policy across tax, housing, CDFI, small business, and increasingly education and workforce development verticals. Its address is 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC.
The firm's core offering is strategic government relations counsel, including direct lobbying, coalition management, and policy advocacy. There is no proprietary technology platform, data product, or AI/ML component; service delivery rests on the personal relationships, policy expertise, and institutional memory of its principals, most notably Bob Rapoza's 40+ years of community development advocacy and his eight consecutive years on The Hill's list of top lobbyists. The firm manages several flagship coalitions on a long-term basis, including the National Reinvestment Coalition (NRHC), the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Coalition, the CDFI Coalition, and Friends of SBA Microloan, and frequently co-authors coalition policy publications.
The business model is retainer-based professional services. Revenue is generated from long-term engagements with nonprofit community development organizations, trade associations, and coalition clients. Pricing, contract values, and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. The firm is private and founder-owned. According to Bloomberg Government (2020), Rapoza Associates achieved 100% client retention over a three-year period, indicating a stable, relationship-driven revenue base rather than project-based transactional work. Strategic hires of Madison Smith (May 2024) and Molly Dorion (November 2025) suggest ongoing, incremental capacity expansion.
Rapoza Associates firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rapoza Associates
- Legal name
- Rapoza Associates
- Website
- https://rapoza.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Rapoza Associates is a Washington, DC-based public interest lobbying firm founded in 1984 that represents over 60 community development organizations, national associations, and coalitions before Congress and federal agencies on tax, housing, and small business policy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rapoza Associates industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Relations and Lobbying Services
- NAICS
- Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Civil Liberties & Constitutional Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Education Policy, Research & Advocacy Organizations (Nonprofit) (BPAGADAN), Secured Microloans (Community/Nonprofit, Collateralized) (FSAKALAJ), Corporate Finance & Capital Advisory (BPAHADAB)
Keywords
Where Rapoza Associates is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Rapoza Associates business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Lobbying and Government Relations Services: Fee-for-service professional lobbying and government relations services provided to nonprofit community development organizations, associations, and coalitions. Revenue generated through retainer agreements and project-based engagements for legislative advocacy, appropriations support, and policy consultation.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Rapoza Associates product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rapoza Associates is a public interest lobbying and government relations firm that provides legislative strategy, congressional advocacy, federal agency liaison, coalition management, and policy research services to community development organizations, associations, and coalitions. The firm secures federal funding and appropriations, drafts legislative initiatives, manages coalitions such as the New Markets Tax Credit Coalition and CDFI Coalition, and produces research and publications for its nonprofit clients.
Product overview
Rapoza Associates is a public interest lobbying and government relations firm (not a technology company) that offers four core service modules: Lobbying & Advocacy, Government Relations, Coalition Building & Management, and Research & Data Analysis. These services work together to help community development organizations, associations, and public agencies navigate federal policy, secure appropriations, and advocate for housing and economic development programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Lobbying & Advocacy Legislative strategy development, connections to key congressional committees (appropriations, banking, tax), legislative drafting, and policy analysis services for community development organizations, associations, and coalitions working on appropriations, housing, community development, farm bills, and tax legislation.
- Government Relations Research, analysis, and comment on federal regulations and policy; federal agency liaison and strategy; and convening of key policymakers and federal officials for community development clients and coalitions.
- Coalition Building & Management Develops and manages coalitions including membership recruitment, billing services, conference planning, legislative updates, and advocacy coordination for clients such as the National Rural Housing Coalition, New Markets Tax Credit Coalition, CDFI Coalition, and Friends of the SBA Microloan Program.
- Research & Data Analysis Analysis of spending and allocation patterns, survey research, case studies, publications, and GIS mapping and graphics for policy impact, supporting the firm's lobbying and government relations services.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% client retention rate over three years (Bloomberg Government 2020 Top-Performing Lobbying Firms Report)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Rapoza Associates
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Rapoza Associates technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Rapoza Associates partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- National Rural Housing Coalition (NRHC)coreRapoza Associates manages the National Rural Housing Coalition, representing the group for more than 30 years. NRHC is the umbrella organization for organizations and individuals interested in federal rural housing program and policy issues. The firm coordinates advocacy efforts, conducts research, and mobilizes membership to advance rural housing policy.
- New Markets Tax Credit CoalitioncoreRapoza Associates launched and manages the New Markets Tax Credit Coalition for more than a decade. The coalition played a central role in developing the initial concept for NMTC and successfully worked with Congress for its enactment. Coalition maintains ongoing relationship with Treasury's CDFI Fund.
- CDFI CoalitioncoreRapoza Associates manages the CDFI Coalition, the unified national voice of community development financial institutions. The coalition advocates for fair access to financial resources for America's underserved people and communities.
- Friends of SBA Microloan ProgramcoreRapoza Associates manages the Friends of the SBA Microloan Program, advocating for the program that provides loans to nonprofit microlenders. The firm conducts biennial surveys of microlenders to document program outcomes.
- Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP)coreRCAP is made of six regional organizations working with rural communities on water, sewer and community facilities issues. Rapoza Associates has worked with RCAP since 1981 to ensure rural water/sewer issues remain on the federal agenda and funding is available for their important work.
- Center for Rural AffairsminorCollaborated with Center for Rural Affairs to draft and persuade Congress to include the Rural Micro-Entrepreneur Assistance Program in the 2007 farm bill.
- US Conference of MayorsminorProvided content and background information for a resolution in support of NMTC adopted at the 83rd Annual Meeting of the US Conference of Mayors.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Rapoza Associates competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Keelen Group: The Keelen Group is a DC lobbying and public affairs firm serving nonprofit, association, and corporate clients on appropriations, tax, and community/economic development policy. Comparable to Rapoza for its coalition-style representation model.
- Heather Podesta + Partners: Heather Podesta + Partners is a DC government relations firm focused on appropriations, tax, and advocacy for nonprofit, coalition, and corporate clients. It is comparable to Rapoza in its coalition-style engagement model and policy areas.
- Van Scoyoc Associates: Van Scoyoc Associates is a DC government relations firm specializing in appropriations, defense, science, and community development advocacy for associations and coalitions. Comparable to Rapoza in mission-driven client focus and appropriations-heavy practice.
- Forbes Tate Partners: Forbes Tate Partners is a bipartisan lobbying and public affairs firm that represents corporate, nonprofit, and association clients on policy, appropriations, and advocacy matters. It competes with Rapoza for the same coalition and association retainers and offers overlapping services.
- Subject Matter LLC: Subject Matter is a bipartisan DC lobbying and strategic advisory firm representing associations, nonprofits, and coalitions on policy and funding matters. It is a direct peer to Rapoza in size, mission-driven client focus, and federal appropriations advocacy.
- Capitol Counsel LLC: Capitol Counsel is a DC-based bipartisan government relations firm that represents coalitions, trade associations, and nonprofits on appropriations, tax, and community development issues. It is directly comparable to Rapoza as a similarly sized, similarly focused public affairs shop serving mission-driven clients.
Broad incumbents
- Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is a major DC law and lobbying firm with a deep appropriations and tax practice serving associations, coalitions, and corporations. Comparable to Rapoza on overlapping policy areas (NMTC, LIHTC, community development) but at far greater scale and with a broader portfolio.
- Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP: Vorys is a Midwest-based law firm with a DC government relations practice focused on appropriations, tax policy, and association representation. Comparable to Rapoza on policy domains and association-style engagements.
- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Akin Gump is a leading global law and lobbying firm with one of the largest DC public law and policy practices, including deep expertise in appropriations, tax credits, and community development. Comparable to Rapoza on overlapping policy areas, but as a broad incumbent competitor.
- Holland & Knight: Holland & Knight is a large national law firm with a significant DC public policy and lobbying practice covering appropriations, tax, housing, and community development. Comparable to Rapoza in policy domains but as a broad incumbent with significantly larger bench and resources.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Rapoza Associates social profiles
Digital presenceRapoza Associates financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rapoza Associates leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Rapoza Associates funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rapoza Associates M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rapoza Associates
What does Rapoza Associates do?
Rapoza Associates is a public interest lobbying and government relations firm that provides legislative strategy, congressional advocacy, federal agency liaison, coalition management, and policy research services to community development organizations, associations, and coalitions. The firm secures federal funding and appropriations, drafts legislative initiatives, manages coalitions such as the New Markets Tax Credit Coalition and CDFI Coalition, and produces research and publications for its nonprofit clients.
Is Rapoza Associates a public or private company?
Rapoza Associates is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Rapoza Associates founded?
Rapoza Associates was founded in 1984. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Rapoza Associates based?
Rapoza Associates is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rapoza Associates make money?
One revenue line is on record: lobbying and Government Relations Services.
Who are Rapoza Associates's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Keelen Group, Heather Podesta + Partners, Van Scoyoc Associates, Forbes Tate Partners, Subject Matter LLC and Capitol Counsel LLC. Broad incumbents are Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Holland & Knight.
Does Rapoza Associates have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rapoza Associates.
What industry is Rapoza Associates in?
Rapoza Associates's product category is Government Relations and Lobbying Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAA, Civil Liberties & Constitutional Rights Advocacy, with a secondary code of BPAGADAN, Education Policy, Research & Advocacy Organizations (Nonprofit). Its NAICS code is 8133 and its SIC code is 8742.