OUR ORGANIZATION

About the East Bank Neighborhoods Partnership

The East Bank Neighborhoods Partnership (EBNP) is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving and enhancing the quality of life across some of Minneapolis’s most historic and dynamic neighborhoods.

Located along the east bank of the Mississippi River, EBNP serves a unique and interconnected part of the city—where residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, parkland, and the University of Minnesota converge. This area is home to long-term residents, renters, students, families, workers, and business owners, all contributing to a vibrant and constantly evolving community.

Our Neighborhoods

EBNP serves five distinct yet highly-connected neighborhoods:

Each neighborhood has its own identity, assets, and challenges—but they are deeply linked by geography, infrastructure, and shared community life. EBNP exists to bring these neighborhoods together where it matters most.

What We Do

EBNP focuses on projects, partnerships, and programs that make our neighborhoods better places to live, work, study, and connect.

Community Engagement

We create accessible opportunities for neighbors to participate in shaping their community:

  • Quarterly neighborhood meetings and forums

  • Open houses, resource fairs, and community conversations

  • Outreach to renters, students, and historically underrepresented groups

  • Partnerships with local institutions, including the University of Minnesota

Public Realm & Neighborhood Improvements

We invest in the physical environment of our neighborhoods:

  • Neighborhood clean-ups and beautification efforts

  • Murals, public art, and placemaking projects

  • Pedestrian lighting and safety initiatives

  • Bike rack installations and active transportation improvements

Environment & Stewardship

We support environmental sustainability and green space activation:

  • Community gardens and pollinator plantings

  • Stewardship of neighborhood parks and natural areas

  • Partnerships with local environmental organizations

Business District Support

We work to strengthen local commercial areas and economic vitality:

  • Supporting small businesses and commercial corridors

  • Addressing vacant storefronts and economic gaps

  • Advancing access to affordable goods and services

  • Coordinating district-wide strategies and partnerships

Advocacy & Partnerships

We serve as a bridge between residents and decision-makers:

  • Collaboration with the City of Minneapolis, Metro Transit, and other agencies

  • Engagement on development, transportation, and infrastructure projects

  • Amplifying community voices in planning and policy discussions

How We Work

EBNP is guided by a board of directors elected by the community, supported by staff, and strengthened by volunteers, partners, and neighbors.

Our work is rooted in:

  • Equity and inclusion — ensuring all voices are represented

  • Collaboration — building partnerships across neighborhoods and sectors

  • Transparency — keeping our community informed and involved

  • Action — focusing on tangible, visible improvements

Why EBNP Exists

EBNP was officially certified by the Minnesota Secretary of State on November 4, 2024, following the merger of three longstanding neighborhood organizations:

  • Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association (MHNA)

  • Southeast Como Improvement Association (SECIA)

  • Nicollet Island–East Bank Neighborhood Association (NIEBNA)

These organizations had long served their communities with dedication. But as the neighborhoods grew more interconnected—and the demands on neighborhood organizations increased—it became clear that a unified approach would be more effective.

By coming together as EBNP, these neighborhoods:

  • Strengthened their collective voice

  • Improved coordination and efficiency

  • Expanded their capacity to deliver impactful projects

  • Created a more sustainable model for long-term community work

A Shared Future

Today, EBNP provides a platform for neighbors across the East Bank to work together toward common goals. Whether through community events, infrastructure improvements, environmental stewardship, or economic development initiatives, our work is grounded in a simple idea:

Stronger neighborhoods are built through connection, collaboration, and shared purpose.

We invite you to be part of that work.