About
Strong Towns is a nonprofit media and advocacy organization based in Brainerd, Minnesota, that works to change the way North American cities grow and develop. Part media organization and part bottom-up movement, Strong Towns publishes articles, podcasts, and videos and equips local advocates with tools to make their cities, towns, and neighborhoods safer, more livable, and financially resilient.
Mission
Strong Towns seeks to replace America's postwar pattern of development — what it calls the Suburban Experiment — with a pattern of development that is financially strong and resilient. The organization advocates for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable, and inviting, and works to elevate local government as the highest level of collaboration for people working together in a place. Its vision is for the Strong Towns approach to become the default way every city, town, and neighborhood pursues growth, development, and prosperity.
What they do
- Media and education — daily articles, podcasts, videos, a newsletter reaching more than 50,000 subscribers, the free Strong Towns 101 course, and an Academy with dozens of online courses
- Crash Analysis Studio — a model for responding to traffic crashes and making streets safer
- Housing-Ready Cities — a six-policy framework to help towns address the housing crisis through incremental development
- Finance Decoder — a tool to uncover the financial trajectory of a city
- Local Conversations — a network of more than 290 local advocacy groups across North America
- Events — an annual National Gathering, a Civic Leader Summit, the Local-Motive Tour, and a City Partnership Program for municipal governments
Key issues addressed include housing, street safety, parking reform, highway expansion, and municipal accounting.
Scale and impact
According to the organization, Strong Towns has more than 6,500 members, over 50,000 email subscribers, and more than 290 Local Conversation groups taking action in their communities.
Financials
Per ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (IRS Form 990 data), Strong Towns reported revenue of $2.28 million and expenses of $2.42 million in fiscal year 2024, and revenue of $2.09 million with expenses of $2.11 million in fiscal year 2025. Contributions consistently represent the largest revenue source, with program services providing most of the remainder. The IRS issued the organization's tax exemption in December 2010 (EIN 27-1459378).
Governance
Strong Towns was founded by Charles Marohn, who serves as its President. Day-to-day operations are led by Executive Director John T. Reuter, supported by Chief of Staff Carlee Alm-LaBar and Chief Technical Advisor Edward Erfurt. The board of directors includes Andrew Burleson, Gregory Good, and LeVette Fuller. Strong Towns is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a member-powered movement.