ANNUAL REPORT 2025 BUILDING A MOVEMENT TOGETHER AUGUST 2026
2TABLE OF CONTENTSSTAFF & BOARD OVERVIEW3849510611712A MESSAGE FROM USWHY WE DO WHAT WE DOOUR CORE VALUESWALKING THE WALKCOMMUNITY IN MOTIONFINANCIALS & SPONSORSMOVING FORWARDSUPPORTERS & PARTNERSHOW YOU CAN SUPPORT US
James Rath Executive Director Jackie Gonzales Kyle Hatch Planning Lead Giselle LoraDiana SearlPresidentLauren OertelBoard MemberTimothy GailieVice PresidentMara DroganBoard MemberSaadia SantosSecretary Dennis GaffneyBoard MemberSachin MitraTreasurer Csilla Aglaure- SzekelyhidiBoard Member Benjamin MackrellBoard MemberDylan CareyBoard Member Project Manager Casey Allen Communications Manager Operations Manager Amber Sickles Development LeadSTAFF & BOARD OVERVIEW 3DIANA SEARLBoard President Capital Streets I am honored to serve an organization that pursues change with both vision and joy, is willing to question long-held assumptions, and whose passion, professionalism, and commitment shine through in every project and initiative. With continued community support, Capital Streets can help unlock and enhance many of the Capital Region's greatest assets through connected communities, a more vibrant quality of life, and streets for all. Diana Searl
Executive Director Most importantly, our job is to lead a movement focused on building better communities, where people can get where they need to go safely and comfortably, with dignity and sometimes even joy. This has become absolutely core to the work, because decision makers need to know what is important to community members to inform their priorities. They need to know inaction will be met with frustration, and positive change will be celebrated. Building this movement is also the most rewarding part of the work: seeing rooms full of community members passionate and engaged in how we can reshape our neighborhoods, hearing people wield new additions to their lexicon, and being in public meetings where the message from the crowd is clear as day - we need more livable streets. On behalf of everyone at Capital Streets, thank you for being engaged in this work. Your support fuels this organization, and we are filled with gratitude. When Kyle and I first identified the need for an advocacy organization focused on the Capital Region’s streets and transportation system, we had a clear idea of the issues, but how the organization could really drive change in the region still felt evasive. Honestly, it took years to figure this out. We were both juggling careers as professional planners, frustrated with the lack of progress in our communities. We pieced together things in between work and pandemic living while Kyle was also planning for a family, and I was eyeballs deep in rehabbing a previously abandoned 130 year old house. Eventually we piqued the interest of some incredible community members, formed a board, and the concept began to take shape. It was time to share the idea with the Capital Region. I can’t say it felt like sink or swim - more like “will other people want to get in the pool?” We put together a presentation, rented an old storefront for the night, and started inviting everyone we could think of. It was too early in the year for a pool party, but turned out to be the perfect time to launch an organization focused on streets and transportation issues. People showed up. A bike helmet was passed around, collecting small donations like at a church mass. People started asking how they could get involved. Capital Streets was launched in early 2023 and since then the path has become clear - our job is to fight for better infrastructure and policy, to break down nuanced issues and decipher documents containing esoteric planning and engineering language for the masses. CS has also grown into a resource for municipalities by providing technical support when we’re asked (and feedback when we’re not).capitalstreets.org 4 James Rath JAMES RATH It’s a long road ahead, but one that we are so grateful to walk alongside with you.
OUR WORK IS ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION...¹NYS Comptroller 2024: https://www.osc.ny.gov/files/reports/pdf/traffic-fatalities-are-growing-in-new-york-state.pdfIT’S ABOUT PEOPLE.capitalstreets.org 5 Our neighbors are acutely aware of infrastructure barriers to accessing basic needs like groceries, healthcare, employment, education, and recreation, in our communities. These barriers are not questions of engineering capabilities, they are byproducts of budgetary constraints and a lack of municipal bandwidth, leadership, political will, and overall vision for the region. Car-centric infrastructure is not only inconvenient for people biking to work, children walking to school, or anyone traveling our streets without a vehicle - it is dangerous. Those not in a single-occupancy vehicle are disproportionately affected by unsafe street design. Traffic fatalities and injuries to vulnerable road users are a major public health problem in the Capital Region. In fact, we have the second worst road fatalities per capita¹ in New York State.
AT OUR CORE WE VALUETo create a better transportation system for all residents of the Capital Region, by pushing for infrastructure and policy changes at the local, regional, and state levels in order to foster safer, more accessible and vibrant communities.OUR VISIONOUR MISSION A Capital Region connected by a network of safe, accessible streets that promote healthier, more enjoyable, and more accessible communities. A region where streets are intentionally designed for people of all ages and abilities, to support public and active transportation — where streets, trails, and transit are seen as valuable public resources worth investing in as means to improve quality of life and increase economic growth in the region. capitalstreets.org 6 Our work is rooted in what is actually possible. While we are radically optimistic people, we remain solidly pragmatic and thoughtfully realistic in our approach to problems and projects. We are dedicated to building an equitable movement that puts vulnerable road users first and includes people that may not traditionally consider themselves transportation advocates.A SOLUTIONS-ORIENTED APPROACHINCLUSIVITY OF EXPERIENCE We seek to collaborate and partner with communities, organizations, stakeholders, and decision makers whenever possible to strengthen our collective voice.COMPREHENSIVE COLLABORATION
WALKING THE WALKWith the support of community partners, Capital Streets was able to influence over 20 significant transportation projects and initiatives across the Capital Region in 2025 alone, including: Our efforts to create a better transportation system in the Capital Region are focused on pushing for more infrastructure and policy on local, regional, and state levels, to create communities that are more walkable, bike-friendly and transit-oriented. To better understand the full depth and breadth of our work, visit capitalstreets.org/our-work to view our past, present, upcoming and ongoing work.capitalstreets.org 7 25 MPH SPEED LIMITS (ALBANY) REIMAGINE I-787 RT 2 CONGRESS & FERRY (TROY) RT 378 (TROY- MENANDS) BRIDGE SPEED HUMPS (ALBANY) SCHOOL ZONE SPEED CAMERAS (ALBANY) REGIONAL TRAIL NETWORK PROSPECT PARK TRAILS (TROY)ERICA SCHNEIDER Advocate of the Year (2026) “I feel so honored to have been the recipient of the Advocate of the Year award recognizing my work in 2025 in the region. The cornerstone of my advocacy work has been about building community, whether through weekly social bike rides or memorial events to show victims of traffic violence that they're not alone. But I couldn't have imagined the community that Capital Streets would end up creating when they came on the scene three years ago. I am so lucky get to share the advocacy space here in the Capital Region with such incredible organizations and fellow active transportation and transit lovers.”
COMMUNITY IN MOTIONcapitalstreets.orgTROY COMMUNITY WALK GRAVEL PITT AARP COMMUNITY WALK AUDIT SUMMER SOCIAL ANNIVERSARY PARTY CRANKSGIVING (ALBANY & TROY) 8 Whether online or in person, Capital Streets has engaged with thousands of our neighbors through social media and social events. We’re grateful for this incredible community that continues to grow, and for the mounting support we have received as we continue to strive for a more connected and vibrant future in the region by building a movement to help make tangible change, together.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 SPONSORSIndividual Donations ( $ 125,327 )Event Revenue ( $ 11,920 )Corporate & Foundations Contributions ( $ 16,100 )**Unaudited figuresProfessional Services ( $ 79,641 )Other ( $ 2,361 )5%34%53%7%$235,348TOTAL REVENUE1%Programs - Community Engagement & Advocacy ( $ 148,140 ) Fundraising ( $ 39,353 )**Unaudited figures Mangement & General ( $ 45,302 )64%17%$ 232,794TOTAL EXPENSES19% 9 FINANCIALS & SPONSORSHIPcapitalstreets.orgOPERATING REVENUEOPERATING EXPENSES
MOVING FORWARDAlign professional staff with a healthy financial plan to ensure long-lasting community support. To build upon earlier successes, the Capital Streets team gathered at the end of 2025 and beginning of 2026, to develop a clear 3- Year Strategic Plan. This convening of board and staff included a deliberate process to chart how the organization can best execute our mission and realize our vision for a safer, more interconnected Capital Region. Core to this plan (Capital Streets’ first strategic plan) are the five key components that were identified for building a solid organization with a lasting impact. SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONScapitalstreets.org 10 Inform and engage with people and like- minded community partners to build a livable streets movement. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Be a resource for municipal improvements to streetscape and trail infrastructure, and advocate for local policy that breaks systemic barriers and provides lasting transportation equity. EDUCATE & ADVOCATE Spearhead transformative transportation projects that broaden the scale of our work’s impact on communities. IMPACTFUL PROJECTS
WHAT OUR SUPPORTERS & PARTNERS HAVE TO SAY...MARY A. ROSCHERIN WATERHOUSEAlbany Resident and Co-Founder of Jane Jacobs Walk AlbanyAlbany Parent Teacher Advisory Council (PTAC) Member “Proudly born and raised in Albany, NY, I have spent time living in Paris and New York City; I know access to safe and diverse pedestrian and transit options makes a place more livable, dynamic — and fun! Capital Streets analyzes what works, what doesn't, and then brings everyone who needs to be at the table together to actually effect real change. I am so grateful for Capital Streets for taking on this work.” “In the City of Albany, the Parent Teacher Advisory Council (PTAC) strives to help students across the city have the best school experience possible which starts with getting them safely to and from school. Many of our students do not qualify for bussing, making pedestrian safety paramount. PTAC truly appreciates the commitment to our students’ safety that Capital Streets has shown, advocating for increased safety measures around our schools, and offering creative solutions to complex problems that keep pedestrians out of harm’s while minimizing detrimental impacts on traffic flow. We look forward to seeing future Capital Streets proposals for traffic calming measures that will have a positive impact on pedestrian safety.” 11
info@capitalstreets.org Ryan Allen, Julia Alvarez, Rasheed Anderson, Isaac Anzures, Nicole Banach, Ian Banatoski, Lise Bang- Jensen, Lisa Barone, Julia Battista, Chester Bennett, Dr. B. Wayne Bequette, Eric Bergin, Cody Bloomfield, Shaina Brassard, Alex Brooks, Alicia Brown, Michelle Bruck, Troy City Councilmember Greg Campbell-Cohen, Jasmine Ceniceros, Dash Chrisner, Sara Constantineau, Jamie Crouse, Kenneth DeVoe, Catherine Dickert, Kelli Donohue, Edmund Doyle, Kevin Eherts, Ari Eherts, New York State Senator Patricia Fahy, Fernanda Farche, Troy City Councilmember Jona Favreau, City of Albany Chief City Auditor Sam Fein, Lindsay Felt, Tom Ferguson, Peter-John Ferrebee, Noreen Fisk, Paul Fisk, William Fitzgerald, Leah Gapp, Eric Gonzales, Kent Gonzales, Aaron Gotlieb, Ben Gotman, Brendon Grates, Hailey Hamias, Rob Hanks, Carey Hatch, Lauren Hirsch, Samuel Johnson, Albany Common Councilmember Meghan Keegan, David Kindlon, Daniel Kirk-Davidoff, Ethan Koval, Ian Kundel, Chris Lavery, John Leach, Sagan Leggett, Dele Loucks-Best, Andrew Lynn, Caitlin Lyons, Arthur Lysomirski, Caitlin Mantica, Stephen Maples, Josh Marcil, Bonnie Mariano, Willis Matis, Andrew Matrai, Matthew McGowen, Elijah McGowen, Rachelle McKnight, Kara McKnight, Troy City Councilmember Katie Spain-McLaren, Albany County Legislator Carolyn McLaughlin, Amy McLean, Amanda Messineo, Loretta Mirandola, Marti Mirandola Mullen, Rohini Mitra, Kelli Moore, Jennifer Morton, Barbara Nelson, Dalila Oliver, Jonathan Owens, Sophie Patka, Anthony Pelegrino, Nancy Perini, Tobias Pettinelli, Keith Pickard, David Pynchon, Susan Rice, Alexandria Richart, Mary Rosch, Erica Schneider, Cris Schrader, Christine Schudde, Ethan Sedano, William Shy, Mariana Staines, Troy City Council President Susan Steele, Benjamin Stein, Stephannie Stoyle, Tyler Suchan, Shannon Sutorius, Nate Taylor, Emma Terwilliger, Scott Terwilliger, TIMBER, Hallie Thomas, Rebecca Thomas, Representative Paul D. Tonko, Abby Townend, Troy Innovation Garage, Brooks Upham, Allison Valiquette, Adam Vanderminden, Former Troy City Councilmember Aaron Vera, Ian Walkinshaw, Barbara A. Walton, Larry Winchester, Nick Winget, Kate Wood, Albany Common Councilmember Deborah Zamer SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2025 SUPPORTERS As a community-powered organization, we rely on public support to further our mission. Collectively, we can fund the lean operations of this important work if we all chip in. Every dollar counts toward safe, accessible, and equitable streets for all people in the Capital Region. Thanks to your support, we saw in 2025: ⟶ 10% More Monthly Donors ⟶ 24% More Donors Acquired ⟶ 21% Growth In Donor SupportWE ARE POWERED BY YOU SUPPORT US BY DONATING capitalstreets.org/support capitalstreets.org @capitalstreetsny 106 Jefferson St, Troy, NY 12180