The Corcoran Neighborhood Organization (CNO) unites neighbors to strengthen our community. We envision Corcoran as a place that fosters leadership, engagement, and a sense of belonging.

We ask you to contribute to our work with your volunteer time and with with a financial contribution. The end of the year is an ideal time to make a tax-deductible contribution to CNO.

Here are some highlights of our work in 2012:

To make healthy food accessible to more people, CNO:

• drew 55,000 people to 48 days of the Midtown Farmers Market's tenth season,
• broke our previous record for EBT (food stamps) accepted at the Market,
• helped Market vendors and residents donate 10,000 pounds of food to the hungry,
• equipped 4 corner stores to carry fresh fruits and vegetables, and
• planted the seed for a new community garden in 2013.

• drew 100 women to Mujeres en Acción y Poder groups at Corcoran, Powderhorn, and Sibley Parks, and
• organized 3 pavement murals and a fenceweaving project created by 350 youth and adults.

• equipped new and veteran block leaders to prevent burglaries and crime on their blocks, and
• connected homeowners to energy-saving programs, fix-up loans, and foreclosure prevention help.

• recruited residents to write, produce, and deliver The Corcoran News to your door, and
• engaged and represented residents in important land use and planning decisions at City Hall.

Why do Corcoran neighbors contribute to CNO?

"I give to CNO because the organization makes our neighborhood a better place by building, enhancing and sustaining a local community. By giving to CNO, I am making an investment in my home. And I know where the money goes - something which is very important to me."

-- Eric Lindberg, Corcoran resident

"A few years ago the gas station at Cedar and 34th became a hot spot for youth drug activity. Neighbors feared that gang rivalries could turn violent. We live about 200 yards from the gas station. Together with several neighbors we became concerned enough to call--first the police and then the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization. The police helped with immediate concerns and investigating criminal activity, but it was CNO that helped guide us to an eventual solution. Staff members provided us with the tools and resources to confront the problem and gave us a venue to bring all concerned parties together to plot a strategy. Success did not happen overnight but in the end the gas station was returned to a safe and normal place to buy gasoline, milk and bread--not drugs!

The CNO staff are an invaluable asset to our community. In times of need whether in public safety, environmental concerns, housing and other quality of life issues, CNO has the resources and knowledge to successfully guide us to a healthy solution. Please support CNO with your time and/or money. CNO makes Corcoran a better place to live."

-- Jim Walsh & Marie Eff, Corcoran residents

"I have been involved with CNO as a volunteer since I first moved to the neighborhood in 1996, so I've seen first hand how much CNO does for our neighborhood. On a very limited budget, the dedicated staff and volunteers have worked hard to make Corcoran the great place that it is. Some contributions that stand out are the great mural project to combat graffiti, the fabulous annual book sale, the work of the Housing committee to preserve and maintain our unique housing stock, the wonderful Midtown Farmers' Market, and the Lations En Acción project that reaches out to the ever growing Latino community in south Minneapolis. These are just a few examples. I feel proud to support CNO both through my volunteer work and through an annual financial donation."

-- Kath Lenk, Corcoran resident

"My block is well-connected as a result of getting tapped into the informational resources of the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization. They have provided access to people that share my ideas about positive change and want to know how to put it into reality. They have created forums for learning more about energy-efficient homes, organizing for National Night Out, and upcoming business expansions or changes. CNO is important for our neighborhood because it puts all the words into action. I donate and volunteer because our neighborhood is worth it."

-- Melanie Casiday, Corcoran resident

"Why I give to CNO: I like being involved with CNO because it keeps me informed about what’s going on in my neighborhood. It gives me a chance to get to know more of my neighbors and to see how much people do to make this a great place to live. It is a true privilege to live in a neighborhood where people care so much about their community, and work together to make it better."

-- Cynthia Frost, Corcoran resident

How about you? Why do you contribute to the work of CNO as a donor or a volunteer? How have neighbors working together through CNO improved your block or your neighborhood? Click here to share your testimonial.

Make a one-time or recurring monthly donation at CNO, 3451 Cedar Ave S or by clicking this secure link.