Mission, Vision, & History

Mission:

CNRG is a resource network.  We connect people, communities and organizations to help individuals gain skills to act as agents of change in collaboration with others.

Vision:

As Oregon's premier network of nonprofit professionals and community members, CNRG will cultivate a vibrant, collective nonprofit sector. CNRG will build social capital in the community through:

• A clearinghouse of nonprofit involvement opportunities, resources, and collective knowledge,
• Mentoring, training, and career planning services,
• The creation of opportunities for coalition building,
• Recognition of emerging nonprofit leaders, and
• The involvement of CNRG members in the continuing development of a nonprofit sector that allows us to live and work together in a healthy, sustainable, civil society.

History:

CNRG was founded in 1998 by two colleagues who recognized that there was no outlet for young nonprofit professionals to meet each other, network and share information and best practices.  The idea was that these young professionals would soon be executives at nonprofit/government organizations and these connections would result in greater effectiveness and partnership in the future.  The group started with 40 people enjoying potlucks and speaker presentations in the homes of founders and members.

From these humble beginnings, CNRG promptly blossomed into Portland's premier resource and network for emerging young leaders in the nonprofit and government sectors. The initial core members discerned that their group was growing rapidly through word of mouth and wanted to devise a more effective means of communication and resource sharing. They decided to look towards modern technology to aid in this endeavor. To meet this need, CNRG began as an online discussion list in 1999. As of 2005, CNRG boasts a membership of more than 6,500 members from the Portland Metropolitan area.