Founded in 1975, the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods Inc. (NECN) is a dynamic 501c3 nonprofit organization comprised of 12 culturally diverse and vibrant inner North and Northeast Portland Neighborhoods and their Associations. We house community programs and fulfill numerous functions: gathering place, idea and project incubator, and outreach service provider connecting community members to resources from agencies and organizations. Our 12 neighborhoods are: Alameda, Boise, Concordia, Eliot, Grant Park, Humbolt, Irvington, King, Sabin, Sullivan's Gulch, Vernon and Woodlawn.

The neighborhood associations are volunteer-run groups of community members (residents, business owners, organization representatives, etc) who advocate for their neighborhood through addressing issues such as:

land use

transportation

public safety

clean-up

mentorship of new leadership

We work to identify community priorities and opportunities. NECN staff provides resources to support, train and empower volunteer leaders. We encourage anyone to get involved and become an active part of his or her neighborhood!



Our commitment to cultural diversity, engagement, and delivering resources to the community have led to many well-known Portland programs and projects including:


The North Portland Tool Library NE Workforce Center
Rider Advocates Youth Gangs Program
Community Cross-Cultural Outreach Program Operation Outreach
Center for Intercultural Organizing Community Youth Hotline
Good in the Neighborhood Multicultural Festival Solarize Northeast
King Farmers Market FoodShare Fund Northeast


These projects came about from inspired community members motivated to contribute to creating a vibrant community and increase livability in Inner North and Northeast Portland.

Values and Goals

Our goal at NECN is to provide an open atmosphere, open-door policy where citizens can directly voice community concerns and needs and to support new initiatives that create community driven solutions. We provide outreach services, information referral and exchange, and community education.



Our committees and programs address public safety efforts, sustainability issues, and economic and community development. NECN realizes that vibrant communities are ones shaped by citizens who are able to utilize available resources and apply their talents to advance neighborhood livability.


NECN History

Edna Robertson and Sharon McCormack founded NE Coalition of Neighborhoods in 1974. Originally established as part of the Model Cities Initiative, NE Coalition was designed to be a strong component of the vibrant Portland Neighborhood System to address community issues and create effective solutions on a grassroots level.

Since our beginning we have served as an idea and project incubator, helping community innovators and volunteer leaders bring to life programs and projects such as: North Portland Tool Library, NE Workforce Center, Center for Intercultural Organizing, Kukatonan Dance Troupe, Good in the Neighborhood Fair, and Youth Creators. We work in conjunction with the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, Office of Youth Violence Prevention, and many other partner organizations and Multnomah County agencies.

Over the years, Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods' programming has been a foundation of the community:

Workforce Training Center

Youth Gangs Program

Rider Advocates Program

Center for Intercultural Organizing
The Neighborhood System

NE Coalition of Neighborhoods is one of seven independently contracted neighborhood coalitions in Portland.

Through Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI), the 7 District Coalitions, 95 Neighborhood Associations, and 40 Business Associations interact and collaborate with numerous community groups and residents to focus on various livability issues: land use and transportation issues, crime prevention, and technical support to organize neighborhood clean-ups and community gatherings.