The goals of the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership are determined by concerns of residents who live near campus:

• provide educational enrichment for young people
• encourage home ownership
• revitalize, renovate neighborhoods
• broaden access to quality healthcare
• promote safety and security
• engage more Duke students and staff in community service

In 1995, Duke engaged Bill Bell, now mayor of Durham, and Sandy Ogburn, a former Durham City Council member, to sit down with leaders from the partner neighborhoods and listen. Residents, neighborhood association board members, ministers and school officials identified priorities for their
communities. Then Duke leaders studied their conclusions and asked, "What can Duke do to help?" The Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership was created in response in 1996.