Q: What are my giving options?
A: Doing Good in the Neighborhood gives you six giving options. Through Duke Community Giving, you can donate to programs and organizations supported by the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership and Duke University Health System, in the following five categories:
- Partnering with our Schools
- Supporting our Neighborhoods
- Supporting our Young People
- Partnering for a Healthier Durham
- Community Care Grant Making Funds
Also, as in years past, you can choose to donate to charitable organizations through the United Way of the Greater Triangle. A complete list of United Way of the Greater Triangle supported agencies can be found on the United Way website.
Q: Why did Duke change the annual United Way Duke Partnership campaign?
A: Participation in the annual employee giving campaign had declined from a high of 22 percent in 2001 to just 7 percent in 2008. Faculty and staff indicated that they would be more likely to donate if provided with more options. As a result, the annual campaign was expanded to include the Durham non-profit organizations that serve the community in partnership with Duke University and Duke University Health System.
Q: If I divide my donation between the Duke and the United Way, can I still become a Leadership Donor?
A: Yes. Donations to Duke-supported organizations and the United Way of the Greater Triangle will be combined to determine Leadership Circle membership. Membership begins with a total combined gift of $1,200 or more.
Q: Where should I send my completed United Way or Duke Giving Options pledge form?
A: All pledge forms should be sent to: Doing Good in the Neighborhood, Box 104352, Durham, NC 27708.
Q: I am currently giving via payroll deduction. Will my deduction keep going into 2011?
A: During past campaigns, you were able to select whether you wanted your pledge to end in December 2010 or to keep going until you opt out. If you selected the latter, your deduction will continue until you cancel or change it. If you are unsure which option you chose last year, please e-mail doinggood@duke.edu for assistance from campaign administrators.
Q: I elected to give via payroll deduction. When will my deduction begin?
A: Unless otherwise requested, all payroll deduction donations that are pledged during the Fall 2010 campaign will begin in January 2011. All payroll deduction pledges received after January 2011 will begin with your next available pay period, contingent upon processing time. If your deduction does not appear when you expect it to, please contact doinggood@duke.edu.
Q: I am a Duke employee who would like to nominate an organization for the Community Care Grant fund. How do I do this?
A: Duke’s Office of Durham and Regional Affairs will be calling for nominations of non-profit organizations in the early spring of 2011. Nominations will be accepted from Duke employees who are Doing Good in the Neighborhood donors and who volunteer with the area non-profit organization they’re nominating. Once you nominate an organization, we will provide funding criteria and an application for the non-profit to submit for review by a committee of Duke employees. The proposals must be for a specific project in need of funding. The non-profit will be asked to submit follow-up information as needed, and we hope to award grants of up to $2,000 by July 1, 2011.
Q: How much of any money I give is used for administrative costs?
A: No administrative fees are deducted from donations to “Duke Community Giving” options (programs supported by Duke University and Duke University Health Systems). An administrative fee of 16% is deducted from donations to the United Way of the Greater Triangle. The Duke family is fortunate to be able to transfer 100% of donations directly to the agencies that we sponsor thanks to the generous support of external and internal funding sources. Although the grant making committee strives to ensure that agencies that receive funds through Duke Community Giving use the majority of their allotment for direct service, it is possible that they will use a portion of their allotment to cover their own administrative costs.
Q: What if I am not a Duke University or Duke University Health System employee, but would like to donate?
A: Community members may donate to Duke’s work in the Durham community through the Duke-Durham Campaign.