Our Mission & History

Our Mission
The Hawthorne Neighborhood Council’s mission is ‘To improve the quality of life in the Hawthorne neighborhood through empowering the residents in order that they can address the physical, cultural, social, and economic needs of the community’.

The Hawthorne neighborhood is located in north Minneapolis and is bounded by the Mississippi River to the east, Emerson Avenue to the west, Broadway Avenue to the south and Lowry Avenue to the north.

Our History
Named after the American writer, Nathaniel Hawthorne, the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council was incorporated as a 501©3 nonprofit organization in January 1980. The grassroots organizers, who founded the organization, sought to address the social and economic needs of the neighborhood residents.

From the humble beginning as an organization with limited human and financial resources to effectively create and nurture comprehensive programs, HNC has undergone huge program and structural transformation. Now the organization has four major programs namely Crime and Safety, Housing, Environmental Conservation and Community & Communications – all operating under their respective committees.

HNC currently works to help revitalize the neighborhood through housing opportunities and assistance, and other services to families. Our organization collaborates with community members, business owners and funding agencies to develop a vision for the future for the community and implement strategies to make that vision a reality.

HNC has become a vibrant community catalyst, inspiring, mobilizing, and supporting comprehensive redevelopment of the neighborhood.