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March Alumni of the Month: Danielle Purifoy
Learn more about our March DPS Alumni of the Month, Danielle Purifoy (Northern High School)!
Mar 244 min read


Lo que el desmonte del Departamento de Educación de Estados Unidos podría significar para los estudiantes de Durham
El presidente Trump ha firmado una orden ejecutiva que pide disolver el Departamento de Educación. Lea nuestra respuesta sobre la razon por la cual Durham necesita el DOE y cómo puede actuar.
Mar 214 min read


What Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education Could Mean for Durham’s Students
President Trump has signed an executive order calling to dismantle the Department of Education. Read more about why Durham needs the DOE and how you can act.
Mar 213 min read
Student U Takes Up the Mantle as Lead Agency for DPSF's Community Schools
Student U is now overseeing and managing the Community Schools program for DPS. This will allow Student U to continue expanding this promising model throughout Central North Carolina.
Mar 184 min read


DPSF Launches New DPS Bus Driver Certification Fund
The new fund seeks to cover the certification costs for up to 50 drivers.
Mar 102 min read


Aquí Estamos de Pie - Supporting Immigrant Families
Resistance includes our right to joy — a reclamation of the happiness and self-expression that we all deserve, in spite of attempts to take it away. Today we are proud to showcase the artwork of Roan Boucher and other local artists through our “Standing Strong/Estamos de Pie” community art campaign.
Mar 62 min read


Giving Back: Public Education Advocate Erika Wilkins Returns Home to Support DPS
Born and raised in Durham, Erika Wilkins left home to pursue a career in education. In 2022 she returned to serve at the DPS Foundation, an organization she’s led as the executive director of since 2023.
Feb 55 min read
La Fundación de las Escuela Públicas de Durham apoya a las familias inmigrantes: Un mensaje especial de La Fundación de DPS
Las escuelas deben ser lugares donde cada educador esté seguro, cada estudiante pertenezca y cada familia sea tratada con dignidad. Pero las recientes órdenes ejecutivas federales dirigidas contra los inmigrantes están poniendo en peligro esa seguridad y tienen el potencial de perturbar la vida de la comunidad a todos los niveles, incluidas las aulas de clases.
Jan 313 min read
DPSF Stands with Immigrant Families: A DPSF Special Message
At Durham Public Schools Foundation, we believe every child, every person—no matter where they come from or how they got here—deserve to feel safe, supported, and valued. Schools must be places where every educator is safe, every student belongs and every family is treated with dignity. </p>
Jan 313 min read
January Alumni of the Month: Audrey Hawkins
Learn more about our January DPS Alumni of the Month, Audrey Hawkins (Southern High School ‘07)
Jan 213 min read
DPS Foundation Joins Forces with Crayons2Calculators to Support Teachers
As of Jan. 1, 2025, DPSF has welcomed Durham nonprofit Crayons2Calculators (C2C) into the organization as an official program. This provides Durham teachers with a one-stop shop for needed school supplies.
Jan 162 min read
December Alumni of the Month: Sonie Guseh Osagie
Learn more about our December DPS Alumni of the Month, Sonie Guseh Osagie (Jordan High School)
Dec 12, 20242 min read
November Alumni of the Month: Pilar Hurtado Gutierrez
<p>Learn more about our November DPS Alumni of the Month, Pilar Hurtado (JD Clement ‘22)!</p>
Nov 18, 20244 min read
A message from DPSF following last Friday's School Board Meeting
On Friday, the school board met to determine next steps for classified staff pay. The passion and dedication displayed by our community members in that meeting was undeniable, and we share in the disappointment that key issues were not fully addressed.
Feb 5, 20242 min read
A message from Erika about the DPS crisis
Durham is going through an incredibly challenging time. Hear from DPS Foundation’s Executive Director about the current crisis.
Feb 1, 20242 min read
DPSF Awards $233,000 to 47 schools in fall of 2023
Each year, DPSF holds a grants cycle where we are giving funding directly to schools to lead the charge with their ideas. This year we awarded...
Oct 17, 20232 min read
An Important Announcement from DPS Foundation
After five years of galvanizing community support for public schools and building DPS Foundation (DPSF) from idea to a vital reality, founding executive director Magan Gonzales-Smith has shared that she will be stepping aside on July 31, 2023. Longtime education advocate, Durham native, and current Deputy Executive Director Erika Reese Wilkins will take the helm as the next leader.
May 23, 20233 min read


WHOLE Schools Impact Report
It’s been one year since WHOLE Schools launched. We’re sharing what we accomplished in 2022, and the road ahead in 2023 and beyond.
Feb 8, 20231 min read
DPS Foundation Launches Corporate Leaders for Public Education
On May 11, 2022, the Durham Public Schools Foundation will launch Corporate Leaders for Public Education, a new network of companies that are collaborating with the Foundation and DPS to build strategic corporate partnerships with our public school district.
May 11, 20223 min read
WHOLE Schools Partnership Reimagines Mental Health Supports in Durham Public Schools
The Durham Public Schools Foundation (DPSF) has launched a partnership with Duke University Health Systems (DUHS) and Durham Public Schools (DPS) to focus on urgent mental health needs of public school communities. The WHOLE Schools Campaign (Wellness | Healing | Opportunity | Learning | Equity) is creating new ways for the school environment to be a holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive support system for everyone.
Apr 5, 20223 min read
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