Downtown Explosion Victims to be Funded By Durham One

Durham, N.C. – In the aftermath of the explosion in downtown Durham on April 10, the community banded together to raise thousands of dollars through grassroots fundraising efforts to support those affected. To help facilitate the organized and equitable collection and distribution of those funds, United Way of the Greater Triangle collaborated with the City of Durham, Durham County, Triangle Community Foundation and community nonprofit organizations to create the Durham One Fund to serve as a centralized funding source.

 

“The Durham One Fund has collected nearly $250,000 to date,” said Eric Guckian, President and CEO of United Way of the Greater Triangle.”  “The Fund was launched with a generous donation anonymously, and all of our friends and neighbors who continue to step up in this time of crisis for our city.” We are grateful for this impactful gift and for the rallying support of businesses, donors, the Durham Bulls event, and all who have joined in support of those impacted by the explosion.”  

 

“With the help of our community partners who serve on the Durham One Fund Advisory Committee, we have created the following guidelines so that we can begin getting these funds to the businesses, residents, and organizations that need financial support.”

 

· Business owners who have experienced economic injury related to their business (e.g. revenue loss and/or property damage), should apply for financial assistance through the City of Durham’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) at https://durhamnc.gov/3873/Durham-One-Fund. Contact Brian Smith at Brian.Smith@durhamnc.gov with any questions. 

 

· Individuals who have been affected by the explosion should apply for financial assistance through Upstream Works Collaborative (the 501(c)(3) nonprofit behind local resident Rebekah Miel’s fundraising effort, Bull City Rebuilds) at https://www.bullcityrebuilds.com/claim. Funds are available to help with costs associated with housing safety and repair/displacement; lost or reduced wages; support for a deceased family member; or support for medical costs incurred, e.g. hospital stays, outpatient services, physical therapy, and mental health support.

 

· The Durham One Fund Advisory Committee will make decisions from nonprofits request in early July. If you are involved with a nonprofit or governmental entity that has experienced an unbudgeted, unforeseen increase in critical services as a result of the Durham Explosion and would like to request funding from the Durham One Fund, please reach out to United Way of the Greater Triangle’s Program Leader, Nick Allen. Allen can be reached at nallen@unitedwaytriangle.org.

 

“When disasters happen, our fundholders want to help and they look to the Foundation for guidance on where to direct their donations,” noted Lori O’Keefe, President of Triangle Community Foundation.  “The Durham One Fund, hosted by United Way of the Greater Triangle, allowed us to direct fundholders to a trusted, charitable organization that could get financial support to those in need. We hope this can be a model in other counties should another disaster strike the Triangle.”

 

Though formed in response to the explosion, the Durham One Fund will continue to accept donations here for nonprofit organizations providing short and long-term human services for residents of Durham County in response to future natural and/or large-scale disasters as well. Its Advisory Committee is made up of representatives from Triangle Community Foundation, the City of Durham, Durham County, Upstream Works Collaborative, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Durham, Inc., Discover Durham and United Way of the Greater Triangle.

 

“It has been an honor working in collaboration with these entities to create the Durham One Fund, and it will be great to see those affected by this tragedy getting the financial support they need,” said Advisory Committee member Leslie O’Connor, Durham County Emergency Management Division Chief. “We have worked to ensure that Durham has a plan and is prepared for any catastrophic events that may occur, and a funding resource like the Durham One Fund is an important part of that plan.”

 

With a mission to eradicate poverty and increase social mobility through the power of partnerships, United Way of the Greater Triangle strives to provide solutions to the clear and evident needs of vulnerable populations with a path towards meeting those needs by working with a wide network of partners. United Way’s Durham One Fund is rooted in the clear and evident needs created through this unforeseen disaster within the Durham community and our desire to help the individuals and families impacted stabilize and rebuild their lives.