One Year In, Durham One Fund’s Nearly $452,000 In Community Contributions Demonstrates The Importance Of Supporting Neighbors In Crisis

Directly following the 2019 explosion in Downtown Durham, the Durham One Fund – established by United Way of the Greater Triangle – invited partners including Triangle Community Foundation, Downtown Durham Inc., local government, and nonprofit organizations to address the needs of residents impacted by the disaster. One year later, the Fund has raised $566,777 thanks to individuals and corporations that supported the mission of providing short-term and long-term support to help residents stabilize and rebuild their lives following unforeseen disasters.

Over the past year, the Durham One Fund has awarded nearly $452,000 to local nonprofits including Upstream Works Collaborative, Diaper Bank of North Carolina, Durham Partnership for Children, Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, MAAME: Mobilizing African American Mothers Through Empowerment, and The Salvation Army of Durham, Orange and Person Counties – all of which worked hard to meet the various needs of the families and children in need of relief.

Upstream Works Collaborative, was granted $287,000 over the past year to support those experiencing economic distress and medical expenses as a result of the April 10, 2019 explosion.

“Upstream Works Collaborative was and is proud to step up to support our neighbors in their time of need,” said Rebekah Miel, Collaborator at Upstream Works Collaborative and Bull City Rebuilds. “We’re so grateful for the sincere generosity of so many donors and to the Durham One Fund for swiftly providing the support that we needed to help. Thanks to their support, we’ve been able to help these folks on their long road to recovery.”

Currently, Durham One Fund is focused on relief efforts for the 285 McDougald Terrace housing complex residents displaced in early 2020. In partnership with Durham Housing Authority and the McDougald Terrace Resident Leadership Council, $150,000 has been allocated to that neighborhood’s relief efforts. Individual donations and generous contributions from corporate partners, including Blue Cross NC, Duke Energy, Duke University and Duke University Health System employees, Episcopal Housing Ministry, Golden Corral, North Carolina Central University, Pacific Western Bank, State Employees Credit Union, and many more were essential to the immediate response.

“We are proud to see how the Durham community unites to support each other, especially during times of need,” says Kaia Clarke, Leader, Philanthropy at United Way of the Greater Triangle and leader of the Durham One Fund Committee. “When we partnered with local organizations to launch the Durham One Fund one year ago today, we never could have envisioned how many individuals would show up in support. Thank you for stepping up to help our neighbors recover.”

The Durham One Fund continues to support residents throughout future times of crisis. Those interested in donating can visit www.unitedwaytriangle.org/durham.