C.O.I.N. (Council of Involved Neighborhoods) was organized in 1987 and incorporated on August 12, 2002.  We are an association of neighborhoods whom have joined together to support one another and to speak with a single, strong voice regarding common social, safety and economic issues.  We are an advocacy organization and provide a forum to empower neighborhoods who feel powerless.  C.O.I.N.'s purpose is to enhance the quality of life in Knoxville and Knox County neighborhoods.  We serve as an educational forum for organizations, but our base groups are part of the inner city where we strive to speak for those who feel their voices are not being heard.  Our only requirements are that the group seeking membership have distinct boundaries and a set of by-laws.  We will work with neighborhoods to develop these items and have never declined membership to anyone because of their inability to pay the $25.00 per year dues.  Our ethnic make-up is 61.5% Caucasian, 36.5% African-American, and 2% Other.

The majority of the governing board of the Center for Neighborhood Development (CND) and half the governing body of the Empowerment Zone (Partnership for Neighborhood Improvement - PNI) is comprised of representatives from C.O.I.N.  We will continue to speak out on issues that are important to the stability and advancement of neighborhoods in Knoxville and Knox County.