Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning
The Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning is an Ithaca-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works with New York State municipalities, community organizations, and higher education partners on climate resilience, equity, and built-environment planning through participatory programs including CR0WD, the Chusid Symposium, and Rural Regional Resiliency.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersIthaca, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning does
The Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2019 in Ithaca, New York, that operates as a project of the Center for Transformative Action. The Center works with municipalities, community-based organizations, and higher education institutions across New York State to address climate resilience, equity, and the built environment through participatory, data-driven community planning approaches. It is named after Susan Christopherson (1947-2016), an internationally renowned economic geographer and former chair of Cornell University's Department of City and Regional Planning, and was co-founded by Jeffrey Chusid to continue her work.
The Center's core offerings are programmatic rather than technology-based: CR0WD (a multi-partner circular construction economy initiative), the annual Chusid Symposium on Place (a convening that celebrates New York State sites), the "On the Frontline of Change" book club and speaker series, Coffee Conversations (small-group community engagement), and the newly launched Rural Regional Resiliency program. It does not develop a proprietary technology platform; its intellectual capital lies in convening networks, designing participatory planning processes, and connecting municipalities with Cornell faculty and graduate student researchers.
The business model is donation-based: the Center charges no fees, accepts tax-deductible contributions via credit card and check, and operates under fiscal sponsorship of the Center for Transformative Action. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the Three-Year Strategic Plan 2024-2026 includes a stated objective to double revenue by 2026 to support an increasing number of communities served. Operations are lean, led by a single Project Director with an advisory board of nine members drawn from Cornell, Empire State Development, local government, and the private sector.
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning
- Legal name
- Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning
- Website
- https://christophersoncenter.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning is an Ithaca-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works with New York State municipalities, community organizations, and higher education partners on climate resilience, equity, and built-environment planning through participatory programs including CR0WD, the Chusid Symposium, and Rural Regional Resiliency.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Planning Services
- NAICS
- Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Urban Planning & Master Planning (BPAHAKAD)
Keywords
Where Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ithaca
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the Center's work with New York State communities to strengthen planning efforts addressing climate resiliency and the built environment.
- Fiscal Sponsorship: The organization is a project of the Center for Transformative Action, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, which provides fiscal sponsorship and administrative support.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning collaborates with New York State municipalities, community-based organizations, and public agencies to strengthen community planning efforts that equitably address climate resiliency and the built environment. It delivers this through programs including CR0WD (circular construction economy), the Chusid Symposium on Place, the On the Frontline of Change Book Club and Speaker Series, Coffee Conversations, and the Rural Regional Resiliency program, using participatory, data-driven approaches.
Product overview
The Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning is a non-profit organization that operates as a collaborative platform offering multiple community-focused programs and initiatives. The core offerings include CR0WD (Circularity, Reuse, Zero Waste Development) focused on circular construction economy, the annual Chusid Symposium on Place celebrating community spaces, a Book Club and Speaker Series featuring discussions on planning and climate topics, Coffee Conversations for community engagement, and the new Rural Regional Resiliency program. These programs work together to support New York State communities in addressing climate resilience, equity, and the built environment through inclusive, participatory approaches.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CR0WD (Circularity, Reuse, Zero Waste Development) A multi-partner collaboration to create a circular construction economy in New York State by eliminating building and infrastructure demolition, promoting preservation, adaptive reuse, and deconstruction that recognizes the environmental, economic, and cultural value of salvage and reuse of building materials. For municipalities, builders, and community organizations in New York State.
- Chusid Symposium on Place An annual day-long gathering that celebrates sites across New York State where diverse voices engage with economic development, heritage, climate resiliency, and equity to recognize and build place and community. Honors Jeffrey Chusid, associate professor at Cornell University.
- Book Club and Speaker Series (On the Frontline of Change: Positive Acts in Planning) A regular book club and speaker series featuring recently published books and conversations offering inspired solutions to shared community challenges. Features workshops, speaker series, and events highlighting positive work from across New York State addressing equity and climate resiliency.
- Coffee Conversations Individual and small group conversations with community members around specific topics, designed to help the Center better understand pressing issues and strategic ways to work together to meet challenges.
- Rural Regional Resiliency A new program launched in 2024 focused on supporting rural communities across New York State with climate resilience strategies and planning efforts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Goal to double revenue by 2026 to support increasing number of communities
Companies that use Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.
- Cornell University - Department of City and Regional PlanningcoreCornell University provides essential support including graduate student interns during the academic year. The Department of City and Regional Planning is the academic home of the organization's namesake Susan Christopherson and provides faculty expertise, research collaboration, and student engagement.
- Center for Transformative ActioncoreThe Center for Transformative Action is a registered 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the fiscal sponsor for the Christopherson Center, providing administrative infrastructure and tax-exempt status for donations.
- CR0WD Partners (Circularity, Reuse, Zero Waste Development)coreMulti-partner collaboration creating a circular construction economy in New York State by eliminating building and infrastructure demolition. Partners work through education and engagement, policy and practice, research and data analysis, and green jobs creation and skills training.
- Friends of Stewart ParkcoreCommunity organization partnered with the City of Ithaca to enhance, revitalize, and maintain Stewart Park and the Cayuga Waterfront Trail. Recognized through the 2025 Chusid Symposium on Place.
- GereBlocknotableHistoric industrial property in Syracuse being revived as a community hub. Partners include Cornell University, SUNY Oswego, HopeLab, Syracuse-Onondaga Food Systems Alliance (SOFSA), and other community organizations. Recognized through the 2025 Chusid Symposium.
- Community Arts of ElmiranotableGrassroots arts organization in Elmira serving as a hub for creativity and connection. Partners include Chemung County Cooperative Extension, GST BOCES, Elmira City School District, Elmira College, and numerous community organizations. Recognized through the 2025 Chusid Symposium.
- Dove Block ProjectnotableVictorian landmark in Geneva transformed into a community arts center. Hosted the 2025 Chusid Symposium. Partners with schools, nonprofits, and arts organizations across the Finger Lakes region. Recognized through the 2025 Chusid Symposium on Place.
- Waverly Glen Park - Village of WaverlynotableVillage of Waverly partnered with Tioga County Tourism and Tioga County Economic Development & Planning for park revitalization. Includes Waverly Central School District students in design and construction. Recognized through the 2025 Chusid Symposium.
- Onondaga Creekwalk - City of SyracusenotableMulti-phase trail project following Onondaga Creek through Syracuse, connecting neighborhoods to Onondaga Lake. Partners include C&S Companies, Onondaga County, and Onondaga Earth Corps. Recognized through the 2025 Chusid Symposium.
- Clute Memorial Park - Village of Watkins GlennotableLakeside park revitalization through New York State's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). Partners include NYS agencies, Schuyler County, and local organizations. Attracts 1.4 million visitors annually. Recognized through the 2025 Chusid Symposium.
- Opendore - Howland Stone Store MuseumnotableHistoric estate of Quaker suffragist Isabel Howland, now a legacy site for activism and education. Part of the Howland Stone Store Museum and Sherwood Equal Rights Historic District. Earned 2022 Preservation League Award. Recognized through the 2025 Chusid Symposium.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Smart Growth America: National nonprofit advocating for equitable, climate-resilient, and economically inclusive community development. Comparable focus on the intersection of climate, equity, and the built environment, though operating nationally rather than state-by-state.
- ICLEI USA: Global network of local and regional governments committed to climate resilience, sustainability, and equity planning. Comparable mission advising municipalities on climate adaptation and resilience, though serving cities directly rather than via nonprofit intermediary model.
- Center for Community Progress: National nonprofit focused on community revitalization, equitable development, and reuse of vacant properties. Comparable mission around community-driven planning and built environment, though with a national rather than state-level scope.
- Cornell Cooperative Extension: Cornell University-affiliated community engagement nonprofit network operating across New York State with multiple regional offices. Direct organizational peer given shared Cornell affiliation, NY State geography, and community-based program delivery model.
- Regional Plan Association: Independent NY-based regional planning nonprofit focused on the New York metropolitan region's economic competitiveness, sustainability, and equity. Highly comparable as a planning-focused nonprofit operating in the same geography with overlapping climate and equity missions.
Broad incumbents
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): Large national community development nonprofit providing funding, technical assistance, and policy support to underinvested communities. Comparable mission footprint on community and equitable development, but at vastly greater scale and with a more commercial real estate focus.
- The Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit creating parks and protecting land for communities. Overlaps with the Center's built-environment and community resilience work, especially around Stewart Park and waterfront trail projects, but at much greater national scale and program depth.
- Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit working on affordable housing, climate resilience, and community development across the U.S. Overlapping climate-and-equity mission with significantly broader scope, program scale, and capital deployment capacity.
- American Planning Association: National professional organization and advocacy body for urban and regional planning. Related as the leading professional planning institution in the U.S., but operates as a membership association rather than a community-engaging service provider.
Regional players
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA): New York State public benefit corporation funding energy efficiency, clean energy, and climate resilience programs. Comparable NY State climate resilience focus, but as a state agency with billions in funding rather than a small nonprofit convener.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning social profiles
Digital presenceSusan Christopherson Center For Community Planning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning 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 Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning
What does Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning do?
The Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning collaborates with New York State municipalities, community-based organizations, and public agencies to strengthen community planning efforts that equitably address climate resiliency and the built environment. It delivers this through programs including CR0WD (circular construction economy), the Chusid Symposium on Place, the On the Frontline of Change Book Club and Speaker Series, Coffee Conversations, and the Rural Regional Resiliency program, using participatory, data-driven approaches.
Is Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning a public or private company?
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning founded?
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning based?
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning is headquartered in Ithaca, United States, in the North America region.
How does Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are fiscal Sponsorship.
Who are Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Smart Growth America, ICLEI USA, Center for Community Progress, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Regional Plan Association. Broad incumbents are Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), The Trust for Public Land, Enterprise Community Partners and American Planning Association. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is listed as a regional player.
Does Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning have an API?
No public API is recorded for Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning.
What industry is Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning in?
Susan Christopherson Center For Community Planning's product category is Community Planning Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAD, Urban Planning & Master Planning. Its NAICS code is 925120 and its SIC code is 8300.