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 networking and resource-gathering tool, CNRG cultivates a vibrant, collective nonprofit community.  CNRG serves the Portland metropolitan area with:

* A dynamic website that has opportunity listings, nonprofit & consultant directories, community resources,

* A clearinghouse of nonprofit involvement opportunities and resources on the Daily Digest,

* Quarterly low-cost trainings,

* Monthly networking evenings for Portland-area professionals, volunteers, and job seekers.

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 leaders of all ages 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.