The Collegetown Community Collective is a grassroots coalition of business owners, residents, students, and civic leaders working together to write Collegetown's next chapter.
Collegetown has always been more than a neighborhood—it's been a crossroads. For over a century, it's where Cornell meets Ithaca, where students become locals, where late nights turn into lifelong memories.
But in recent years, the neighborhood has faced real challenges. Rising costs, changing habits, and a pandemic that hit small businesses hard have left gaps in the fabric of the community.
In 2025, a group of neighbors decided to stop waiting and start building. Business owners, landlords, city officials, Cornell representatives, and residents came together to form the Collegetown Community Collective—a 501(c)(6) nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing the neighborhood we love.
We're not here to preserve Collegetown in amber. We're here to help it evolve—thoughtfully, sustainably, and together.
The Collegetown Community Collective is committed to enhancing the vitality, sustainability, and prosperity of Collegetown through community-driven initiatives. By fostering collaboration among businesses, residents, and stakeholders, we aim to improve public spaces, support economic growth, and cultivate a thriving cultural and social environment.
Leadership
Join our community of neighbors working to make Collegetown thrive.