DurhamCares

WE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2012 AT THIS TIME.  WE MAY OPEN UP A REVIEW IN SPRING 2012.  PLEASE WATCH OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND TWITTER FEED FOR DETAILS.

We invite all registered 501(3)(c) organizations working to improve the human condition in Durham to apply to be a part of the Success Platform during our open application period each year.

Participants in the Success Platform set specific outcome related goals that directly relate to the mission of their organization.  In turn, DurhamCares publishes these goals on our website and encourages individuals and companies to donate money to the organization of their choice.  Donors can choose to give to a specific organization immediately, give to a specific organization and have the money held until the organization meets their goals, or give to the general Success Fund which is distributed at year end to organizations that meet their goals.  While DurhamCares recently helped raise over $104,000 for 2010 Success Grant organizations through a seven day bike race called Race Across America there is no guaranteed money as part of the Success Platform and it’s not the primary driver of the platform services.  We also provide marketing support, volunteer support, and networking support among other things.

The application process consists of attending a goal setting workshop, a written application, and an interview for organizations who make it past the initial screen.  The DurhamCares Board will review all applications and select organizations that fit the qualifications and provide a diverse portfolio of service to the community.

Applicants are required to attend a goal setting workshop.  Generally these workshops would be held in mid-Sept, with applications due early to mid-October and interviews conducting from mid-Oct to mid-November.  You can see a sample application here: 2011_DurhamCares_Success_Grant_Application-_New_Applicants.doc

Success
Partner Organizations must demonstrate success in reaching their targeted populations to improve the human condition, and track key metrics to celebrate their accomplishments. We believe that donors will be most willing to get involved when they can see the history of an organization and get a good sense of the impact of that organization in the community.

Committed Leadership
The organization must have a leader or leaders that demonstrate a passion for their constituents and who have proven that this energy can be translated into real results.

A Clear Vision for the Future
We believe that donors of both time and money want to be a part of a successful mission and they want to know where they are going, and what the situation will look like/feel like when they have gotten there; whether it’s a milestone or a completed mission.

Transparency and Accountability
Partner Organizations must be able to demonstrate success in reaching their targeted populations, as well as the costs associated with that success.

Genuine Interest in Participating
This may sound like an obvious point, but DurhamCares will look for organizations that have a serious interest in boosting awareness of their organization, demonstrate a willingness and capacity to work with the DurhamCares staff in designing the marketing materials used to promote the organization, and are able to meet with residents in communities that want to learn more how they can get involved.

Approval from the DurhamCares Board of Directors
Just as DurhamCares insists that its partner organizations maintain a high level of accountability and transparency as well as an independent Board of Directors, it insists on the same from itself. The Board meets every other month in person to review our own goals and strategy as well as that of our partners.

DurhamCares is an organization inspired by the Christian faith of its founders, leadership and Board of Directors.    Organizations that DurhamCares promotes on its website do not need to have an overt statement of faith, and we recognize and promote great non-faith-based organizations which you can view in the partners section of the website.  We do, however, look for organizations whose missions, practices and leadership are not at odds with Biblical values, and to this end we do seek guidance from area pastors.