Burnsville Launches Neighborhood Organizations to Strengthen Community Ties
Provided on the City of Burnsville’s Neighborhood Organizations page.
BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA—The City of Burnsville announces they are taking a proactive step in fostering community connections with the launch of Neighborhood Organizations, a new initiative aimed at uniting residents, local businesses, and institutions to build stronger, more engaged communities. This program seeks to empower neighbors to collaborate, address local issues, and create lasting positive changes within their neighborhoods.
The Vision Behind Neighborhood Organizations
The primary goal of Neighborhood Organizations is to bring people together to establish meaningful relationships, solve challenges, and enhance the overall quality of life in Burnsville. By providing resources, support, and grants of up to $10,000, the city hopes to encourage residents to take an active role in shaping their communities.
Defining a Neighborhood
According to the Neighborhood Organizations’ page, they define a neighborhood in Burnsville to be within a one-square-mile walking distance typically and include at least 200 households or approximately 500 residents. Neighborhoods encompass single-family and multi-family homes, local businesses, parks, and other amenities that contribute to a shared sense of identity.
What is a Neighborhood Organization?
A Neighborhood Organization is a collective of homeowners, renters, businesses, churches, and schools that work together to foster a sense of community and improve neighborhood life. These organizations often:
Facilitate connections among neighbors
Address specific neighborhood concerns
Undertake physical improvements such as park clean-ups or beautification projects
Organize crime watch groups
Enhance communication and collaboration with city officials
Neighborhood Organization vs. Homeowners’ Association (HOA)
Unlike HOAs, which are typically established by a developer and governed by a set of rules for a specific subdivision, Neighborhood Organizations are open to all residents within a designated area. These groups focus on community-building, advocacy, and collaborative projects rather than enforcing property regulations.
How to Get Started
The City of Burnsville offers extensive support to residents interested in forming a Neighborhood Organization with their toolkit. Here’s how to begin:
Step 1: Contact the City Residents can reach out to Burnsville’s neighborhood liaison for assistance in defining neighborhood boundaries, recruiting leaders, and coordinating initial meetings.
Step 2: Form a Startup Team A group of three to four committed individuals should come together to plan and promote neighborhood meetings. Tasks can include reaching out to existing neighborhood groups, organizing activities, and recruiting members.
Step 3: Engage the Neighborhood Promoting neighborhood meetings is essential to gaining widespread participation. The city will assist in creating promotional materials, and organizers can spread the word by posting flyers, knocking on doors, and conducting surveys to gauge community interests.
Step 4: Hold a Neighborhood Meeting During the first meeting, neighbors get acquainted, identify leadership roles, and submit a Neighborhood Recognition Request. Meetings may also include brainstorming sessions, activity planning, and discussions led by city representatives.
City Support and Grant Opportunities
To help Neighborhood Organizations succeed, Burnsville provides various forms of assistance, including:
Hosting startup meetings
Leadership development
Free meeting space
Access to city leaders and officials
Dedicated neighborhood webpages
Printing and mailing services
An annual all-neighborhoods meeting
Continuous support for neighborhood initiatives
Additionally, eligible organizations can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to fund projects that benefit their neighborhoods. The grant application process involves submitting a Neighborhood Recognition Request, collaborating on project ideas, and completing a grant application.
Get Involved
Residents looking to join or start a Neighborhood Organization can visit burnsvillemn.gov/neighborhoods for more information. The city encourages all residents to take part in shaping their communities and working together to make Burnsville a stronger, more connected place to live.
For further assistance, contact the neighborhood liaison at neighborhoods@burnsvillemn.gov.
The cover photo was provided on the City of Burnsville’s Neighborhood Organizations page.
Written by: Will Wight
