About the Downtown Boston Neighborhood Association
A stronger voice for Downtown Boston.
Founded in 2014, the Downtown Boston Neighborhood Association is an independent, volunteer-led organization bringing together residents, businesses, institutions, and community partners to help shape the future of our neighborhood.
Our Mission
DBNA works to ensure that the Downtown community has a meaningful voice in shaping the future of our neighborhood — including residents, condo owners, renters and students; commercial property owners and small businesses; institutions, arts and cultural organizations; and social service providers.
We work collaboratively with elected and public safety officials, neighborhood and civic organizations, and institutional partners to address the issues and opportunities that affect quality of life across Downtown Boston.
Independent.
Volunteer-led.
Community-driven.
DBNA at a glance
Founded
2014
Members
1,200+
Volunteer-led
100%
Leadership Team
DBNA's Leadership Team provides strategic direction for the organization and works closely with residents, elected officials, public agencies, businesses, institutions, and community partners on issues affecting quality of life across Downtown Boston.
Rishi Shukla
Margaret “Peggy” Ings
George Coorssen
Paola Ferrer
Tom Courtney
Sally Rosenberg
If you’re interested in getting involved as a volunteer member of the Leadership Team, please reach out!
Our Neighborhood
DBNA serves residents and stakeholders across the heart of Downtown Boston, encompassing a diverse mix of residential, commercial, cultural, historic, and public spaces.
A Brief History
The Downtown Boston Neighborhood Association started in 2014 as a grassroots initiative to provide a voice for Downtown Boston residents in City planning processes for Downtown. What initially started out as a small, informal group of residents coming together to respond to a specific challenge quickly evolved into a robust, active neighborhood association with over 1,200 members and growing.
In September 2023, the Association announced our merger with the MPPNA — expanding our mission and membership to serve residents, including condo owners, renters, and students; commercial property owners; small businesses; institutions, arts and cultural attractions; and social service organizations across the neighborhood.