Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership

An Evolution of Listening and Learning

The Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership was created as an office in 1996 under the direction of President Keohane. Established as Duke’s first official vehicle for engagement with Durham, the work initially included twelve neighborhoods with direct proximity to East and West Campus and recognized the mutual benefit of communication and connection among those areas.

In 2008, the DDNP Office became a sub-unit of the Office of Durham and Regional Affairs and continued working with neighborhoods around identified areas. Between 2018-2020, the Office of Durham and Regional Affairs, DDNP, and Duke Community Service Center merged to form the Duke Office of Durham and Community Affairs (DCA).

The legacy of the office’s origin continues to be honored through the DDNP Collaboration. Many of these neighborhood associations have been partners since 1996. In 2020, two additional neighborhoods were added to the group as a result of the University playing a specific role in housing and community development priorities in those areas. It was essential to add these groups in order to hold high level conversations accountable to on the ground experiences.

DDNP Collaborative

The DDNP is a collaborative open to 14 neighborhood associations close to Duke’s campus facilitated by our office. This collaborative grounds our neighborhood and housing work in the experiences of grassroots organizations and individuals. Through a consensus workshop this group identified key needs and priorities that will be the focus of the groups work for the next few years. The broad categories of work include: Equity and Justice, Health and Safety, Education, Neighborhood Communication Tools, People First Development, Respect and Preserve History.

*Active Members

These 14 neighborhoods are eligible to submit Community Requests that align with the shared vision developed in the consensus workshop. Requests that are approved are funded by the Duke Doing Good Employee Giving Campaign. Learn more about funded projects and opportunities to give to the Neighborhoods and Housing Category.

1/5

Impact Stories

Southside: Preserving a Legacy

Utilizing a Doing Good grant, Southside Neighborhood Association honored Brother Ray and preserved his spirit of bringing people together by installing two dedicated benches in the neighborhood.

Read the Story

Impact Stories

Trinity Park: Rain Garden

Utilizing a Doing Good grant, Trinity Park Neighborhood Association partnered with George Watts Elementary PTA to implement rain garden maintenance to support continued playground accessibility and lessened harmful neighborhood runoff.

Read the Story

Impact Stories

Burch Avenue: Garden Rejuvenation

Utilizing a Doing Good grant, Burch Avenue rejuvenated their garden to support a space that will offer continued opportunities for neighbors to pursue physical and mental health as well as provide social connection.

Read the Story

Impact Stories

Tuscaloosa-Lakewood: Strengthening Neighborhood Connections

Utilizing a Doing Good grant, Tuscaloosa-Lakewood Neighborhood Association worked to strengthen neighborhood connection and communication by translating newsletters into Spanish and building a neighborhood community stage.

Read the Story

Impact Stories

DDNP Spotlight: Corporal Jack Wagstaff

Corporal Jack Wagstaff formerly served as the liaison between the Durham Police Department and Durham Neighborhoods United, an organization of neighbors experiencing problems from party houses.

Read the Story

Funding Items

Neighborhoods: 2023 Community Request Form

This grant application is open September 2, 2022- January 31, 2023. Neighborhood funds are intended to support the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership (DDNP) neighborhood associations by improving quality of life through a focus on affordable housing and economic development.

Read the Story