About
Project for Public Spaces (PPS) is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has spent five decades helping communities create and sustain great public places. Founded in 1975, PPS pioneered the community-driven practice now known as placemaking and has worked with thousands of communities around the world to turn streets, parks, markets, and plazas into vibrant gathering places.
Mission
PPS co-creates outstanding gathering places with community members and supports public space champions everywhere through convening, learning, and advocacy.
What they do
- Placemaking — a community-driven approach to designing and managing public spaces, developed and refined by PPS since introducing the placemaking methodology in 1995.
- Market Cities Program — technical assistance, training, and resources for public markets, building on the International Public Markets Conference that PPS first hosted in 1987.
- Grants, training courses, conferences, technical assistance services, and publications for public space practitioners and advocates.
History
PPS was founded in 1975 by Fred Kent, with co-founders Kathy Madden and Steve Davies. Key milestones the organization highlights include the transformation of New York City's Bryant Park beginning in 1980, the first International Public Markets Conference in 1987, the introduction of the placemaking methodology in 1995, the launch of the Placemaking Week conferences in 2013, and the 2019 spin-off of PlacemakingX as a separate global network. In 2025 the organization marked 50 years of placemaking.
Scale and impact
PPS reports that it has helped more than 3,500 communities across 50 countries and all 50 U.S. states create better public spaces.
Financials
According to ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer (IRS filings), Project for Public Spaces Inc (EIN 13-2808114) reported total revenue of $2,869,759, total expenses of $2,698,720, and total assets of $1,893,784 for fiscal year 2024. The IRS issued its 501(c)(3) tax exemption in September 1975.
Governance
The organization is led by Co-Executive Directors and is headquartered at 49 5th Avenue #1025, Brooklyn, NY 11217.