Public space has the unique power to address multiple societal challenges at once. These include issues like social isolation, health inequity, economic opportunity, and resilience, among others. That’s why Project for Public Spaces has spent nearly 50 years helping foster vibrant communities through our Placemaking and Market Cities programs.

Through your support, we empower local leaders to create well-used, well-loved public spaces through technical assistance, trainings, conferences, capacity-building networks, advocacy, and more.

Your donation helps support our work to transform public spaces into inclusive, accessible, and economically thriving hubs. This includes our Community Placemaking Grants, which enable nonprofits and government agencies to transform underperforming public spaces in partnership with community members. 

• In 2024 we facilitated 38 public space improvement projects across North America, from well-known downtown public squares to suburban parks to rural libraries.
• In 2024, we provided $240,000 in implementation funding, as well as over 1,000 hours of free technical assistance to organizations that care for public spaces across the U.S.

When public space leaders have the time and space to connect with each other, it leads to innovative ideas and collaborative solutions. That’s why we convene hundreds of advocates and practitioners each year through events such as our International Placemaking Week and International Public Markets Conference, and forums such as our Market Cities Network. 

• In 2024 we brought over 600 public space leaders together at our 4th International Placemaking Week in Baltimore, Maryland.
• 2024 also marked the first anniversary of our Market Cities Network, a diverse group of over 45 market leaders spearheading the first international forum of its kind.

We anchor the people behind great public spaces by providing trainings and webinars and informative resources like our blog and publications that help these leaders hone their skills and connect with the international placemaking community. This includes our Market Cities Resource Library, which provides over 75 reports, tools, research papers, and more for public market stakeholders.

Your donation allows us to continually create, update, and expand these offerings, as well as provide scholarships to those who would otherwise not be able to participate. 

• In 2024, we trained over 530 public space and market leaders through our online courses and awarded over $35,000 in scholarships for conference attendees and $20,000 in scholarships for training participants.
• ‍Over 2024, more than 35,000 subscribers receive newsletters from us outlining public space news, resources, opportunities, and announcements, including a curated dispatch of all things public markets. Additionally, over 500,000 individuals have visited our website to learn more about our work and public spaces.