Durham Cares was founded with the hypothesis that many residents of Durham have a heart to help those in need in the city that they have come to call home, but aren’t sure how.

DurhamCares seeks to build awareness among Durham’s residents of the many ways in which they can contribute resources to those who have already shown great success in helping others. DurhamCares will do so through several means:

1. This website - a well publicized website highlighting organizations that are changing Durham; lending them marketing resources to best convey their missions, communicate their successes, outline their needs and plans for the coming years; as well as putting those interested in helping in direct contact with the organizations.

2. Community outreach events in neighborhoods. Planning meetings in neighborhoods to give residents a chance to learn of organizations, hear from the leadership of those groups and see the great work that each is doing by means of a slide show and a chance to meet those that lead, and are helped by the different organizations.

3. Challenging local churches to promote active involvement with charities, both Christian and secular.

4. Challenging local businesses to encourage their employees to give of the time when they are “on the clock”, i.e. The business’ time, when the are “off the clock” (i.e. The individuals’ time), and to initiate matching gift programs for financial contributions to charities.

5. Energizing the local population, particularly those that are new to the area to contribute money, time and expertise to those that can best use it.

6. Insisting on accountability and transparency from all supported organizations, thereby increasing the confidence and resultant giving of donors.