Partner Agencies

Durham Congregations in Action

The Congregation at Duke University Chapel is a member of Durham Congregations in Action (DCIA). DCIA is a cooperative, multi-faith network which offers care and support to the most vulnerable and forgotten in our community, while planting seeds for new initiatives to change lives in Durham. Its mission is to bring together congregations to promote understanding across boundaries of faith, race and ethnicity and to build an inclusive community of justice and peace.

NC Council of Churches

The Congregation at Duke University Chapel is a member of the North Carolina Council of Churches. The North Carolina Council of Churches, founded in 1935, is a statewide ecumenical organization promoting Christian unity and working toward a more just society. The Council’s mission is to enable “denominations, congregations, and people of faith to individually and collectively impact our state on issues such as economic justice and development, human well-being, equality, compassion and peace, following the example and mission of Jesus Christ.” While the Council itself is overtly Christian, many of the committees and task groups are interfaith, including members from non-Christian faith communities. Several committees also include members of Christian denominations which are not part of the Council of Churches. In its work, the Council strives to live its motto of “Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice.”

Local Grants

Every year the Congregation grants significant resources to nonprofits which serve the city of Durham. The Mission Committee has intentionally kept the number of agencies we support small, between ten and twelve, so that we can develop deeper connections with these partner agencies. Each year, the committee invites select agencies to apply for a grant; completed applications are followed with a personal interview. In the interview, the Mission and Outreach Committee seeks greater understanding of the work and challenges of the agency and looks for additional ways in which the Congregation can partner with the agency. The Congregation at Duke University Chapel supports local nonprofits with volunteer service, in-kind gifts, financial support, and prayers. For 2023-2024, total grants are $76,700 in grant funding. We also gave additional funds to Habitat for Humanity, as we partnered with others to build a house. We encourage our members and friends to volunteer with these worthy organizations.

Agency	Mission	Volunteer Needs
Durham Literacy Center	The Durham Literacy Center is the leading independent organization dedicated to providing free literacy services to adults and out-of-school youth in Durham County.	Tutors Instructional Support Administrative Support Volunteer for the Literacy Center:
Families Moving Forward	Families Moving Forward offers a temporary home to families with children in the crisis of homelessness and guides families to self-sufficiency.	Study buddies Enrichment Facilitators Administrative Support Volunteer at FMF
Habitat for Humanity	Seeking to put God's love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.	Assist in constructing houses Assist in deconstruction and salvaging materials Work in the ReStore Volunteer at Habitat
Meals on Wheels	Meals on Wheels enhances the quality of life for seniors, people with disabilities, and other eligible citizens in our community who are unable to provide proper nutrition for themselves.	Drive meals to clients' homes Pack hot meals or carry them to cars Administrative support Special event volunteers Volunteer for Meals on Wheels
Reality Ministries	Reality Ministries creates opportunities for teens and adults with and without developmental disabilities to experience belonging, kinship, and the life-changing reality of Christ’s love.	Be a Friend to a Friend with disabilities Assist in meal preparation Volunteer at Reality Ministry
Religious Coalition for a Non Violent Durham	The Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham is comprised of individuals who as an expression of their faith and goodwill actively seek an end to the violence that is plaguing Durham neighborhoods.	Attend prayer vigils Be a part of a faith team to assist offenders with reentry Volunteer with RCND
Ronald McDonald House	Built with love, the Ronald McDonald House of Durham and Wake offers a comforting home away from home and a community of support for seriously ill children and their families.	Offer hospitality to residents at the Durham House Provide baked goods to residents Create fellowship and family fun opportunities for residents and families Volunteer at Ronald McDonald House
Society of Saint Andrew	The Society of St. Andrew salvages fresh, nutritious produce from American farms – produce that otherwise would be left to rot – and delivers it to agencies that serve the poor.	Gathering produce from the field Distributing food to those in need Volunteer at St. Andrew
StepUp Durham	StepUp assists adults and children transforming their lives through employment and life skills training.	Tutoring Teach and assist in job skills workshops Provide meals Volunteer at StepUp Durham
Urban Community AgriNomics	Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN) engages the community of Northern Durham with skills based in agriculture and providing a place for those within the community to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.	Farm work Food distribution Volunteer at UCAN
Urban Ministries	Urban Ministries connects with the community to end homelessness and fight poverty by offering food, shelter, and a future to neighbors in need.	Clothing closet sorting Driver Data entry and/or clerical projects Donation intake Volunteer with Urban Ministries
Total Local Mission Grants for 2023-2024: $76,700