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Complete Streets Supporters,

Over the past record-breaking year, the National Complete Streets Coalition has worked with dozens of communities to adopt new complete streets policies, introduced bills into Congress, and drew the engagement of the Obama Administration. But all this success comes with a catch – we need more resources to keep up with the growing demands on our time and our small staff. We need your continued support to ensure that the Complete Streets movement is not simply a flash in the pan, but a true, sustaining movement to make our communities healthier, safer, and more livable.

Today, I ask that you and your organization to make a financial contribution to the National Complete Streets Coalition – which will be matched dollar for dollar thanks to a generous gift by Toole Design Group, a transportation planning and design firm.

Many communities and advocates depend on the resources and knowledge of the Coalition to further local efforts. The Obama Administration, through the U.S. Department of Transportation, has expressed keen interest in working with us to make our streets safe and livable for everyone. With additional resources, we can take advantage of this historic opportunity and become a strong partner in their work.

We hope to raise $5,000 by December 31st – can you help? Our Coalition’s work is sustained through annual memberships, starting at a modest $100. Organizations or individuals able to make a larger contribution are invited to join as Partners at the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum level. All donations are tax-deductible. Don’t forget – thanks to the Toole Design Group, the first individual donations will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling your impact – while the match lasts. Toole Design Group and our other corporate partners support us, knowing that a strong Complete Streets movement is essential to their mission of bringing safer streets to everyone.

With your support, and with the hard work of Coalition members and the Coalition staff, we were able to celebrate many successes in 2009 that will lead to more opportunities in 2010:

• Last spring, we introduced the Complete Streets Act of 2009 in the U.S. Senate and House (S. 584 and H.R. 1443). Our congressional briefing on the new bills was standing room only, and the audience heard from passionate local and national leaders. Co-sponsorship continues to rise and our next task is getting a Complete Streets provision in a draft Senate transportation bill.
• In November, we met with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, who said, “It turns out a complete streets approach offers the perfect intersection of my twin guideposts: safety and livable communities.” We are talking to his staff about specific ways to advance Complete Streets inside the U.S. Department of Transportation.
• Advocates won state laws in Connecticut, Hawaii, and Wisconsin, and several state Departments of Transportation developed new internal policies. Nine state bills were introduced in 2009. We are working with coalitions in Minnesota, Louisiana and other states on new bills for 2010.
• In total, thirty-six jurisdictions nationwide adopted policies in 2009 – a record-breaking year. Many communities became the first in their state to commit to complete streets, including Hennepin County, MN, North Little Rock, AR, Ada County, ID, Montclair, NJ, and Fairhope, AL. And after celebrating reaching the 100-policy milestone at a Congressional reception in October, we returned to the office to field more and more requests for information and help.

With your financial contributions, we can take advantage of this growing complete streets activity and transform our transportation landscape. Your donation will make it possible for us to work on the adoption of complete streets policies across the country, increase our workshops and other resources for transportation professionals, and be sure that a strong Complete Streets measure is in the next federal transportation law.

We don’t have big government or foundation grants – we rely on our members to support our efforts. Our Coalition structure means we are extremely efficient, with member groups stepping up in their area of expertise to advance Complete Streets. This year the Association of Bicycle and Pedestrian Professionals, AARP’s Public Policy Institute, the American Planning Association, Transportation for America, America Bikes and others have all contributed to major Complete Streets initiatives, coordinated through the Coalition. We expect such collaborations to increase – and that will require our staff time and resources.

We welcome contributions of any amount. Please donate today and help us achieve our goal: $5,000 by December 31st. Remember – if you act quickly your donation will be matched dollar for dollar by Toole Design Group.

Thank you in advance for your support. It makes a real difference in the growth of the complete streets movement. Let’s make 2010 a year to remember.

Sincerely,

Barbara McCann
Executive Director, National Complete Streets Coalition

To donate by credit/debit card, visit our donation page.

If you’d prefer to write a check, donations must be made out to Smart Growth America (Tax ID No. 270038938) with a notation that the funds are for the National Complete Streets Coalition.

Mail all checks to:
National Complete Streets Coalition, 1707 L St NW Suite 1050, Washington DC 20036