Neighborhood Partnership
The Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership began in 1996 under Duke University President Nan Keohane as a way to engage Duke University and its people in a structured partnership with the surrounding community. In many ways, the partnership simply formalizes what has always been true: Duke, nearby neighborhoods and Durham are one big community. Many Duke employees live in the neighborhoods around campus. As neighbors, we need to help and learn from each other. We need to listen and work to keep friendships strong. This way, we can come to trust and count on each other.
Duke has learned a great deal in the first ten years of the partnership. We've listened closely to community and school leaders about what neighborhoods need, and we've tried to think of every way Duke can help make those things happen. With residents and community leaders, with charitable foundations and local non-profits, with local government and with churches, we're part of an exciting team effort. Duke has already helped to raise more than $12 million to invest in its partner neighborhoods.
Duke University President Richard H. Brodhead and the Duke Board of Trustees are committed to do even more over the next years.