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Employee Giving Campaign Raises $614,212

Slightly more than 1,000 donors contribute to 'Doing Good in the Neighborhood'

Elementary students in KidZNotes perform classical music at Duke in October as part of the Doing Good in the Neighborhood campaign. KidZNotes is a local organization supported by the campaign. Photo courtesy of the Office of Durham and Regional Affairs.
Elementary students in KidZNotes perform classical music at Duke in October as part of the Doing Good in the Neighborhood campaign. KidZNotes is a local organization supported by the campaign. Photo courtesy of the Office of Durham and Regional Affairs.
By Marsha A. Green

In just over a month, donors contributed $614,212 to the Doing Good in the Neighborhood campaign, which benefits local organizations that improve the quality of life in Durham. 

The campaign ran Oct. 8 to Nov. 16 and included 1,028 Duke staff and faculty donors.

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"I am grateful to each person who stretched to give something to this campaign," said Phail Wynn, Jr., vice president of Durham and Regional Affairs at Duke. "When we, as Duke employees, pool our gifts, whether they are $5 or $500, these gifts have a greater impact on projects and initiatives that are meeting real community needs."

Money raised through the Doing Good in the Neighborhood campaign goes directly to organizations and programs supported through the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership and the Duke University Health System. Donors can also designate some or all of their donations to go to the United Way of the Greater Triangle. 

Kathy Shipp, adjunct associate professor in physical therapy, was among the early donors this year, supporting healthcare in the community. Doing Good in the Neighborhood supports several school and community clinics, the City of Medicine Academy, and LATCH: Local Access to Coordinated Healthcare.

"It is so important that people who work at Duke give back to the Durham community and the organizations who improve the lives of Durham residents," Shipp said. "When I retire, I want to volunteer in person. In the mean time, being busy with work and care-giving for a 90-year-old father, I can give a bit of money each month."

While the fall campaign is the primary fundraising effort for Doing Good in the Neighborhood, donations are accepted year-round. 

To show appreciation to donors, the Office of Durham and Regional Affairs, in partnership with the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, will conduct a drawing on Jan. 18 for donated prizes. Anyone who donated during the campaign or makes a contribution before Jan. 17 will be included in the drawing. Prizes include:

  • Thirty lunches for two at the Washington Duke Inn's Fairview Dining Room or Bull Durham Bar.
  • Five one-night stays for two, including breakfast or in-room dining.
  • One Presidential Suite Package for two.
  • Ten one-year memberships in the Executive Club at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club.