About Us

In Rochester, Minnesota, our city’s population is over 121,000, and we continue to see an influx of immigrants and have a growing senior population. The face of our community is continually evolving. We embrace our city’s rich diversity and recognize the challenges associated with different cultures and generations sharing the same space. RNeighbors is currently learning, working, and partnering with local groups to unify neighborhoods.

Mission

RNeighbors empowers citizen leaders to create sustainable neighborhood networks that promote a vibrant, healthy, and livable community.

Vision

RNeighbors works toward a future in Rochester when community life is rooted in neighborhood networks that nurture citizen involvement for positive community change.

Our History

In 2001, the City Council of Rochester acted on an identified need to provide additional support to groups of neighbors who were working on projects that would benefit the city’s neighborhoods. The Rochester Neighborhood Resource Center was incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and began serving neighborhood associations (NAs) in 2001.

The center, now known as RNeighbors, serves as a resource center helping Rochester’s neighbors build community by providing tools to grow great neighborhoods. Today RNeighbors is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and guided by our organization’s bylaws. Here’s an brief stroll through the history of RNeighbors.

We support neighborhoods by nurturing Neighborhood Associations, reviving dormant Neighborhood Associations, and providing tools to help sustain and grow active associations. Our Statement of Purpose outlines that “Each group registered with RNeighbors is asked to uphold the Neighborhood Association Guidelines and expectations that will assist these volunteers groups in their ongoing community improvement efforts.”

Resources RNeighbors Provides

What are some things RNeighbors does to help neighbors? The organization’s directed growth focuses on helping to form new Neighborhood Associations, supporting existing Associations, and maintaining and adding programs and partnerships to improve services which support our mission.

In addition to our core programs, RNeighbors provides benefits for neighborhood organizations such as membership on the Council on Neighborhoods, access to grants, visibility on our website, liability insurance for Neighborhood Association meetings and events, meeting signs, and participation in Rochester’s National Night Out.

Accountability

RNeighbors is funded in part through the City of Rochester. The remainder of our operating budget comes from grants and donations. The Board of Directors and staff at RNeighbors believes in transparency. You can read our 2019 City Council Update to learn more about what we’ve been busy working with neighborhoods on.

Our 990 tax documents are available for the public to view at GuideStar.org, where we hold a Silver Transparency status.

RNeighbors Affiliations

RNeighbors is proud to be a member of these organizations. The excellent resources they provide assists RNeighbors and our partners, in our community building programs and projects.

One group working together has a stronger impact than many separate voices.

Be a partner in your neighborhood’s future.

Neighbors who work together build community and improve neighborhoods. Please contact us for more information about how to get involved.