About the NeighborLink Network

The NeighborLink Network is an affiliate network of independent non-profits who share a simple mission of performing practical neighbor-to-neighbor expressions of God’s love. 

Over the past 7 years NeighborLink has been developing and refining a web-based platform for neighbors with resources to find those who need help. This website is the landing zone for all of the tangible needs that low income, aging, and people with disabilities need help with that fall through the cracks of traditional social services.

The first NeighborLink website was launched in Fort Wayne, IN in 2003 as a place where anyone could come to the website, register their information, and post a project or select one of the projects already posted. The concept has always been to eliminate the barriers to ask for help, and to be a place for local churches to connect to those asking.

Since 2003, many website refinements and additions have been made. The founders of NeighborLink quickly realized that web technology, even today, would not work without human interaction at the center of the organization. The organization needed someone to build relationships with the local social service agencies and project sources as well as answer the phones for those who didn't have internet access. It also needed someone to connect with the local churches and help those interested in volunteering connect to the website and walk them through project selection process. The Executive Director plays a vital role in making sure everything runs well.

NeighborLink was always designed to be reproduced. The desire of the founders was to have as many NeighborLinks in as many cities as it could where there was a passion and desire for connecting local churches back to the very neighborhoods in which they are planted. Although the team had many conversations since 2003 with churches and organizations interested in the technology behind NeighborLink, very few of them every got very far until the summer of 2008.

In 2008 we launch our second NeighborLink in Porter County, IN, which is in Northwest Indiana. Shortly after NeighborLink Porter County launched, we entered into a relationship with a Christian community development organization in St Louis, MO as well as a group in DeKalb County, IN about starting NeighborLinks in their community. This new interest pushed us to formalize the reproduction process and as a result the NeighborLink Network Foundation was formed. There are currently three NeighborLinks with a fourth in development as well as one non-affiliate. 

The NeighborLink Network Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization designed to be the parent of an affiliate network of like minded, independent NeighborLinks. The Network will facilitate the process of reproducing NeighborLink organizations and websites as well as reproducing non-affiliates who align in mission and only need our web technology.

Please read through what the difference is between an affiliate and a non-affiliate. If you have questions or are interested in joining the Network, don't hesitate to contact us at Andrew@nlfw.org