A few weeks ago DurhamCares hosted a bracket challenge as part of the NCAA tournament.  It started small but soon became a big group of neighbors in Durham and beyond.  Every time 50 new members were added to the group DurhamCares added another $1,000 to the initial pot until the group was 346 people who were all playing for a piece of $9,000 that they could donate to a DurhamCares partner!

We had a great time watching the games and following teams and players to see who would win the tournament and which DurhamCares partners would get the donations.  Congratulations to the Tar Heels for their win of the tournament, and congratulations to the winners in our bracket.  But even more, congratulations to the excellent DurhamCares partner organizations who all ended up getting a share of the winnings!

• Big Brothers Big Sisters won $5,000
• Durham Eagles won $1,100
• Habitat for Humanity won $1,000
• TROSA won $500
• Housing for New Hope won $400
• Durham Rescue Mission won $400
• Samaritan Health Center won $350
• Pregnancy Support Services won $300

We'll be back next year to play this game again and hope it will be even bigger and better! 

Today marks the relaunch of the website and the official launch of the new Success Grant initiative. 

For those of you who don't know about what the Success Grant is, here's a quick overview: 

The Success Grant program is a unique way to reward our not for profit partners to focus on planning and achievement of success based outcomes. We've worked over the past year with each organization to best understand what would constitute true success for their programs and those they seek to serve. They have come back to us with a list of goals that they've set for themselves. We've committed to grant each of these organizations $10,000 of DurhamCares money if and when they attain these goals, and have provided a platform for you to join alongside us as well to increase that number - a number that we'll all be able to grant at the end of the year ONLY upon successful attainment of THEIR goals. We hope that you'll read each program's goals and pledge generously to this innovative program that rewards, planning, outcomes, and success. 

We're hopeful that this concept will change the way that charities think about planning and focusing on outcomes and that it will change the way that donors think about giving. 

In addition, we're after significantly moving the needle with the state of giving in Durham. We'll be providing a full report on this in a later blog, but we recently commissioned a survey with FGI Research (thank you by the way to the entire staff there who gave of their time to this exercise) of 425 households to learn about the current condition of giving. We found that households making more than $100,000 in Durham give LESS than 1% away to local charities (of those who are church members, 2.4% went to tithing....of a Biblically based 10%). We think that there are two opportunities to make a major change in that number. 

First, there is a great opportunity for pastors to talk about Christ's commands to take care of the least of these (Mt 25:40) and for us as their congregants and parishioners to heed the lessons of our pastors and the commands of Scripture. Aside from that, which might seem more or less obvious, we think that there is an opportunity, maybe even an obligation, for charities to make it easier for donors to give to their organizations. We think that they might accomplish this by talking the language of their audience. 

Take this example: A businessman/doctor/attorney/professional sits in on an investment opportunity meeting in the morning and throughout a 2 hour presentation is presented with an overview of how he might make money. He/she's presented with information on the addressable market, the competitive landscape, the background of the principals in charge of the investment, forecasts based on past performance and a summation on what his/her return on the ivestment might be. They write a check for $50,000. 

This same individual then goes to a fundraising luncheon at the invitation of a friend. The Executive Director talks about the organization, shows some slides of their programs and has a number of testimonies of those that have been helped by the organization. A member of the Board of Directors then closes things out with "an ask". The presentation moved the individual. They write a check for $250. 

I'm convinced that this example happens in real life all the time in Durham. How do I know this? This person most likely makes more than $100,000 and the aforementioned survey says that they'll give less than 1% of that to local charities. What's the difference between the "ask" that got the check for the $50,000 and the one that got the check for $250?? Almost everything, but it didn't need to be. By and large the person who makes that sum of money thinks with their head about an opportunity as much as they think with their heart. The first presentation spoke to their intelligence, their mind. It answered their questions about the opportunity that allowed them to understand what their return on investment was. The first presentation spoke to their "love language" if you will. 

One might say, return on investment doesn't apply to the world of charities. Those people are partially right. A widget is not a kid. But, all charities can and do focus on outcomes. The impact of their work can be measured across the homeless, kids, students, those in need of job skills, etc. When charities and not-for-profits focus on these outcomes and look to communicate them effectively to the public through the Success Grant program or on their website, we think that they'll be much more effective at showing the return on their investment and getting a much bigger share of the Durham's citizens wallet. 

It's our hope that you, the citizen and donor in Durham, will resonate with this message. That you'll participate in our success grant program. That you'll endeavor to understand the impact that these (and other....this doesn't need to be just about DurhamCares charities but all charities that you give to) charities in Durham and reward excellence when it's planned for and realized. And yes, we hope that as these charities learn to talk your language that you'll reward them, and us all, by giving more of your income........because now, maybe for the first time, you'll better understand the return that these great organizations can get with your investment. Yes, not your donation, but your investment.

Welcome to the new and improved DurhamCares site and blog!
 
In this space over the coming months and years, we (Henry, David, Mike and Heather) are going to look to share some of our ideas and thoughts on Durham and the concept of caring.   We're far from authoritative, but are excited about the things that we see going on around us and want to share them along with some thoughts about what we might all do to play an active role in transforming this city that we work in, call home and have come to love.
 
From time to time, we're going to ask others to write as well……and that others includes you!! (cue the old picture of Uncle Sam).  We surely don't have a monopoly on the good ideas and perspectives and we want to provide you with a platform to get your ideas out on how we all might care as well.
 
You'll see that we already have several folks, from several walks of life that have already written and we'd very much like to have you do the same.  If interested, please e-mail us at care@bandwidthcares.org .
 
We have a good idea of some of the things that we'd like to talk about over the coming weeks, and so here's a quick preview:

1. Challenge grants……our application of the idea that folks will give more money if they can see the return they get and if their money is used to reward excellent performance just as they see in their jobs.
2. Volunteering…..as you hopefully know by now, we take our inspiration from the Parable of the Good Samaritan and it's lesson on the broader definition of neighbor.  Well, there's another application of this parable as well…..one of the example of physical love shown by the Samaritan (he just didn't leave a bag of money with the guy on the road, or pay someone to take him to the inn)….in this blog we'll look more at the call for volunteers and our program to lead to more successful volunteering

We hope that you'll stay posted (no pun intended) on what we're up to, that you will tell a friend, and that you (and your friend) will take us up on our offer to share your viewpoints, experiences and perspectives as well.
 
Your neighbor,
 
Henry

What is the ultimate goal and vision of DurhamCares?

The process of asking this question about our organization over the past weeks may prove to be a watershed in DurhamCares history.

Up until now, our main goals have been inspired by the parable of the good Samaritan: to broaden the definition of "neighbor," help people understand Durham's needs, and then "remove barriers" and "make it easy for people to give of their time and money." We wanted to increase and improve volunteerism and donation by helping people in Durham better understand how to love their neighbor. But does giving more correspond to loving your neighbor?

Looking at what our approach and our vision boiled down to, I saw in DurhamCares a mix of United Way, VolunteerMatch, VolunteerCenter, and a charity-consulting group with a strong flavor of Christian inspiration. There is nothing new about having people care for each other more, connecting needs and resources, or ultimately seeking to improve the community. Our hope is to accomplish these objectives more effectively because we work on a local and personal level. If DurhamCares is to be one more way that people can show they care, this is great. None of us could settle for that, however...and here's why:

When we get to heaven, I do not think Jesus is not going to say "When I was hungry, you gave a check to United Way and they fed me. When I was naked you gave your clothing to the Durham Rescue Mission and they clothed me." Our goal cannot only be for people to write "$5,000 checks instead of $500" if we want them to love their neighbors. Giving more and volunteering more may never get people to love their neighbors; in fact, it may placate their consciences and insulate them from the challenges of truly acting in love. Though we will encourage and help people give, our vision must be to help them see beyond their gifts and get actively involved in loving.

I Corinthians 13 says that if we sell all that we have and give it to the poor, but have not love, it is meaningless. If DurhamCares increases donations and volunteerism without helping people love, it is meaningless.

To put it in more concrete terms, at DurhamCares our foremost goal is not to get you to increase your giving from 1.8% of your income to 4.3%. That may coddle you into thinking that you are doing better and we may be keeping you from seeing what it means to love. Do you love someone who is "poor"? Do you love those around you enough to know their needs? Have you ever been to a neighborhood where the needs are completely different from yours? What would you think if I told you that we are encouraging you to get involved not because of what you can offer, but because we want to meet your needs?

That's right, DurhamCares is going to change you-the donors. We are going to take you half way across the world or maybe just half way across town and get you involved in a person's life that you could not have imagined. We are not doing this just so you will write a larger check, but to give you an entirely new perspective on life-how you spend your waking hours, how you view the city, poverty, need. We are going to show you that the people you saw as "needy" have things to offer you. We are going to get you actively involved in caring for your neighbors, your city, and the world. As you get involved, I am sure that you will give more of your time and money-not because we have convinced you, but because you have experienced what it is to truly care. Do not settle into "giving to charity," let DurhamCares challenge you.

So why is this a watershed moment for DurhamCares? Now that we have set our sights on "Love thy Neighbor"-an incredibly unique and compelling vision-we need to develop our programs to reach this audacious goal. Our mindset has shifted from helping people give more to providing opportunities that will challenge and enable them to love. Naturally, giving will be part of this, but giving alone won't cut it.

I knew long before Friday that I don't naturally think big ideas. The audacious doesn't come easily to me. I'm much better at launching an idea than coming up with it. Pragmatic in implementation and relational in communication, that's me, and I like that role. So, this exercise of thinking about bold and audacious mission and vision stretches me in a good way, and it is part of the reason I'm excited about the new adventure at DurhamCares.

Some specific things resonated for me in our conversations: 

1. To find yourself you must lose yourself. That's audacious, bold and frankly a little crazy sounding. It's not original, but it is true. Jesus said it back in the day. How do we help people believe that losing themselves and giving to others is really the way to find yourself, and can you really invoke that if you are losing yourself in good things but not losing yourself in Christ? Or are we just offering a "noble idol" at whose feet to worship?
2. I may not easily come up with big ideas, but I do know I want to be part of them. Something different or something new connects with me and I'm ready to join in. I don't want to do something that's already been done in the same old way or be involved with mediocrity. I suspect that's true of most of us. So, we've got to nail something that resonates and truly engages not only us but others to join.
3. I can't underestimate my need to pray through this process. Maybe it seems too obvious to actually say it, but I need to. It's easy for me to think that the most important work in this process is sitting in a conference room, hammering through ideas and words to funnel a clear and understandable mission and vision, and then set up an organization to move people to action. No doubt that's important, but the reality is the most important work here is for us to humbly seek wisdom through prayer and trust that God is sovereign and involved - not only in our process but in the hearts and minds of all those people who may in some way connect with DurhamCares in the future and bring glory to Him (whether they know it or not).
4. This process takes time. Even when other people come up with the big ideas it takes time for me to process them. What do I really think? Why? How is my opinion informed? I need to spend some significant time turning over in my mind all the things we've talked about in the past couple of weeks. Admittedly, I'm kind of tired of talking about it, and I'm ready for the pieces to come together. But the reality is that I know I need to sit with this stuff and let it form because the implementation will be so much easier and the work so much more effective when it's anchored.

The value for me of this exercise was in a continued, lively discussion on how we really want to transform Durham in a way that truly glorifies God.

Here is what really resonated:

1. "Love Thy Neighbor". That statement is right on, and for good reason. As we know, the greatest command is to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your Mind, and the second one is like it: Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" We know that we want to use these 3 words in our vision. More importantly, we know that we want the vision and mission of DurhamCares to be completly in sync with this concept.

We want to help folks, all of whom have almost, without fail, heard this commandment, to understand it, make it easy for them to apply it, and just as importantly to work hard to make sure that living out this commandment is a joyful one.

2. It is better to give than to receive. We all agreed that we want to articulate the feeling of the mutual blessing that occurs when someone loves their neighbor. In effect the giver receives, and the person who receives gives. This point was driven home for me last night when I attended the Durham Rescue Mission fundraiser that featured a number of testimonies...one from a volunteer who talked about how much he had been blessed by Alonzo, the person that he was teaching how to read. I think that God wants us to be happy, and that it truly is "better to give than to receive". We at DurhamCares want to work tirelessly to ensure that the donors and volunteers are indeed blessed, just as those who they help are.

3. We want to be Bold. When David and I got together to launch Bandwidth.com almost 8 years ago and I asked him what our mission was...he told me it was to "change the world". Wow, I thought at the time, this guy is over the top. But you know what, I've never forgotten it, and it's challenged us to make sure that Bandwidth.com is indeed something very special and successsful. We want to work our hardest to make sure that DurhamCares is just the same.

4. We want our vision statement to give someone a powerful mental picture of what Durham is like when DurhamCares acting in accordance with God's plan is successful in transforming Durham. We want people to hear the vision statement and get it AND want it.

5. We care. We've wrestled a bit in the past with the word "care" and what it means to our mission and to our name. After much dialog, we've decided that it stays. Why? Because it means two things: a. We care....as opposed to we don't care, or apathy b. We care in the sense of the word where care is an active doing word. So, if we are married to Care as a part of our name and getting folks to care, in both senses of the word, is our goal, then we have to use "care" in our vision statement.

Lastly, we all agreed to ask our friends, neighbors and pastors about what "Love Thy Neighbor" meant to them so that it might help refine our thinking about how to best articulate this concept as a part of our vision statement.

We're just out of a lunch session to further refine our vision statement. We've each come away with the task of summarizing our thoughts in a blog format so that we can share it with whoever reads this blog and have it for posterity, but also knowing that the exercise of summarizing all our thoughts will be good for the process and the organization. We actually thought that by the close of today's session that we would have breezed right through the vision and mission statements and made our way through the drivers, strategic objectives and functional imperatives that make up the nuts and bolts of a plan, but........ we were wrong. What ensued instead was a lively conversation for 2 hours about just the vision statement! None of us felt that the current one,

"To transform Durham into a community of people who truly live the value of "Love Thy Neigbor," meaning that they generously give of their time and resources to helping each other"

really cut it. It isn't/wasn't edgy enough for all of us and the words didn't seem to inspire anyone. Not that it was bad, but we all knew that we didn't want just another vision statement full of platitudes that would make folks gloss over.

The strange thing is that after 2 hours we're actually further away from having a vision statement than when we walked in, BUT that we all feel that we've made great progress in understanding what our organization will do and how we all feel about it. We'll be interested to get your take. What follows next is my take of that, and in the following blogs you'll see the take of Heather, Mike and Chris...............David may even weigh in with some of this thoughts as well)

Sometimes it's just fun to share cool things, but not in that "forward an email to a million people or you'll have bad luck for 10 years" kind of way. More in the "this is totally worth 2 minutes of your time" kind of way. So, here it goes. . .

The Extraordinaires aren't live with their service yet, but I'm intrigued enough by the idea that I'm sure I'll sign up to see how it works when they launch. And who knows, maybe DurhamCares and the groups we work with can utilize some "mobile volunteering."  

Mostly though, I'm enjoying the way in which I connected to them - via a blog link and a youtube video. Sure getting information this way isn't unusual in 2008, but I graduated from Carolina just over 10 years ago without owning a computer and without having ever sent an email. I did own a mobile phone, but if memory serves me correctly it was in a giant bag, had a cord and barely fit underneath my passenger seat. There's no question that in a short period of time we've totally changed many of the ways we communicate, interact and connect with one another.

So, that really begs the question about ways that we at DurhamCares communicate, interact and connect with all of our Durham neighbors right?

How can we intelligently and artfully wield the Web 2.0 tools at our disposal? Right now we're using Facebook and this blog but we're not really promoting ourselves yet. Regardless those are clearly the tip of the iceberg, and just like any technology if you don't use it well it can be more of a burden than a help.

What about you - how do you connect, communicate and interact these days? Can you point us to cool things that worked for you - a video, a blog, a website, a facebook page, a twitter feed or an iPhone app? Why did it connect and why did you watch, read, surf, post, follow or download?