ESNDC Presents: Payne Avenue Festival 2026

About Us

East Side Neighborhood Development Company ( ESNDC ) is a community development corporation dedicated to creating economic opportunities and improving the quality of life for residents and businesses on the East Side of St. Paul. For over three decades, we have been working to build a vibrant, equitable, and thriving East Side through various programs and initiatives focused on economic development, small business support, and community engagement.

The 2026 Payne Avenue Festival: Connecting Community and Commerce 

The Payne Avenue Festival directly fulfills ESNDC's core mission by creating economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs while bringing our community together to celebrate East Side culture and support the diverse businesses that make our neighborhood unique. This event has the potential to become a cornerstone of our community-building efforts, strengthening both economic development and community engagement while increasing attendance and participation each year.

(a peek of what the vision could look like)

Why is it important? 

• Economic Impact: The festival provides significant exposure and increased revenue for Payne Avenue businesses, many of which are small, immigrant-owned enterprises that form the backbone of our local economy.
• Community Cohesion: In our diverse East Side neighborhood, the festival creates space for cross-cultural exchange and strengthens community bonds across different backgrounds.
• Neighborhood Pride: By showcasing local talent, businesses, and culture, the festival fosters a sense of pride and belonging among East Side residents.
• Business Development: The event offers a platform for entrepreneurs in our ETAP program to showcase their products and services to a wider audience.

Your Support Makes a Difference

By contributing to ESNDC's Give to the Max campaign, you are directly investing in:

• Supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses along Payne Avenue
• Creating economic opportunities for East Side residents
• Strengthening community connections and cultural celebration
• Enhancing the vibrancy and sustainability of the Payne Avenue corridor
• Building leadership capacity within our diverse community

Join Us in Building a Stronger East Side

Your donation, no matter the size, will help ensure the 2026 Payne Avenue Festival creates meaningful connections between community members and local businesses, while showcasing the vibrant cultural diversity that makes the East Side special. Together, we can continue building a thriving, equitable, and connected community for all East Side residents and businesses.

Giving Levels and Recognition

Community Supporter: $25-$99

Recognition on ESNDC website

Festival e-newsletter acknowledgment

Neighborhood Champion: $100-$250

All Community Supporter benefits

Name listed on festival program

ESNDC tote bag

East Side Partner: $500-$750

All Neighborhood Champion benefits

Social media shout-out

Two VIP festival passes

Payne Avenue Patron: $1,000-$2,500

All East Side Partner benefits

Logo on festival materials

Four VIP festival passes

Invitation to pre-festival reception with community leaders

Festival Sustainer: $5,000+

All Payne Avenue Patron benefits

Prominent logo placement on main stage

Speaking opportunity at festival opening

Custom recognition opportunity tailored to donor interests