Our Work
How we work with Durham Public Schools
We are an independent public school foundation that partners closely with Durham Public Schools (DPS) to support student success. While we operate separately from the school district, we work in collaboration with DPS educators, staff, families, and leadership to strengthen the system from the ground up.
Our Priorities
Preparing Students for Lifelong Success
Our students are the future leaders of Durham—and they deserve every opportunity to thrive.
Your gift helps us ensure all students have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to succeed during and after their time in DPS.
We award scholarships that open doors to college and reduce financial barriers
We build real postsecondary pathways that begin in school and lead to career success
We provide programs that equip students with the tools and networks to lead their communities
“Because of my DPSF scholarship, I’m the first in my family to go to college. I want to come back and give to my community—just like (the DPS) Foundation gave to me.”
DPSF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Supporting Teachers to Strengthen Schools from the Inside Out
Educators know what their classrooms and students need—but they often don’t have the resources.
Our grants provide direct and flexible funding to schools and educators, helping them create safe, connected, and thriving learning environments.
Supply essential classroom materials through our Crayons2Calculators Teacher Store (at no cost to our teachers)
Fund teachers’ bold ideas through our Grants and WHOLE Schools Fund—and supporting them through our Grantmaking Cohort Model
Support school initiatives that build inclusive, wellness-centered cultures
“Because of DPSF’s WHOLE Schools grant, our team created a space for student wellness that didn’t exist before. It’s now central to how we support our kids.”
DPS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Organizing Families and Building Community Power
We believe the people most impacted by public education—students, families, and educators—should also shape it.
Your gift helps us bring people together to advocate, organize, and lead lasting change in our school system.
We equip families to advocate for equity-centered district and school policies so that all students can thrive
We build multiracial, multigenerational coalitions across Durham schools
We host forums and listening sessions that elevate shared voice and collective action
“DPSF helped connect families across schools who shared the same vision for our children’s success. We went from isolated to organized—and that is making all the difference.”
DPS MOM
See the Difference
Books, Bites, & Belonging
In 2024-25, Glenn Elementary School librarian Paula Januzzi-Godfrey created special moments of connection — thanks to a DPSF Innovation Grant. Her “Around the Kitchen Table” project regularly brought 10 to 12 families together.
Families formed a sense of community. Students explored different cultures through reading children’s books. Participants then came together to make food featured in or inspired by those stories.
To this day, families continue to whip up memories from this experience with the Glenn Community Cookbook — provided at no cost to them.
We're bringing our community together to give our children strong public schools where they can learn from well-supported teachers who help all students grow and thrive.
