Since 1974, we have been creating the building blocks of community in Northeast Portland and beyond by empowering residents from all walks of life to get informed, get involved, and take action in their city.

Our Mission

Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN) fosters healthy communities by engaging citizens to become directly involved in determining how their neighborhood evolves, and giving them the tools to have their voices heard by policy makers and the public at large. 

We believe in the power of every citizen, in every community, to create the world they want to live in, one neighborhood at a time. 

Who we are

Founded in 1974 by Edna Robertson and Sharon McCormick as part of the Model Cities Program, NECN has earned a reputation as a pillar of the Northeast Portland community and operates as an independent nonprofit organization. Comprised of 12 neighborhoods in the inner North and Northeast sectors of Portland, it was the first of seven neighborhood coalitions, all of which are affiliated with Portland's Office of Community and Civic Life. 

We have evolved over the years into being an incubator of civic action and by connecting residents with grassroots organizations, like-minded individuals and local policy makers to effect change in their communities. We believe a city is more than the sum of its parts and we strive to make those parts whole.

Find our Annual Report HERE.