At Student U, we believe in the boundless potential of every Durham student. That’s why we’ve launched our annual campaign, Invest in Bright Futures – Empower Durham’s Youth, with an ambitious but necessary goal: to raise $3.5 million in the next eight months.
This vital funding ensures that our students have consistent access to transformative educational opportunities, mentorship, and the resources they need to thrive—not just academically, but as leaders, and changemakers in their communities.
Thanks to a generous $130,000 matching challenge from longtime supporters, every donation from:
will be matched dollar for dollar—up to $130,000 total. Your gift today goes twice as far in helping us build a brighter Durham.
For questions regarding your charitable contribution, please contact our Executive Director, Elena Maina at elena.maina@studentudurham.org.
We’re calling on our entire community—educators, alumni, families, neighbors, local businesses, and partners—to come together and invest in Durham’s future. Whether you’re making a one-time gift or starting a monthly contribution, your support provides consistent, life-changing opportunities for students to succeed and lead.
Your Gift. Real Impact.
The examples below highlight just a few of the meaningful ways gifts to our Annual Fund support students and families. While your contribution may not fund these exact items or activities, every gift—no matter the size—directly powers the transformative work we do each day. We’re so grateful to have you as part of this impact!
Fund the full cost of Summer Academy staffing, empowering hundreds of students to thrive during a pivotal academic season.
Ensure our entire school-year staff is in place to walk alongside students as mentors, educators, and champions.
Fully fund the staff who support our middle schoolers—building strong foundations during a critical time in their academic journeys.
Provide daily transportation for 350 students so they can access after-school learning, meals, and mentorship without barriers.
Cover all the school-year supplies needed for tutoring, enrichment, and academic programming.
Provide emergency support to families facing housing instability, food insecurity, or other urgent needs.
Provide college scholarships for all graduating seniors—launching their next chapter with confidence and care.
Support paid internships for high school students, giving them real-world experience and meaningful summer opportunities.
Fund professional development for 75 aspiring educators who are shaping classrooms today and tomorrow.
Provide a personal check-in visit for every first-year college student from our program, helping them feel seen and supported.
Fund enrichment activities like music lessons, sports, or robotics for one student—expanding their horizons.
Cover the cost of a transformative field trip for one student—opening their eyes to what’s possible.
Donate by Check:
Please make the check out to “Student U”. Checks can be mailed to: 600 E. Umstead St., Durham, NC 27701
Donate by Stock or Bequests:
We accept donations of commonly held, publicly traded stocks. You can donate stock by electronic or certificate transfer. Please contact us, and we will assist you with the process.
Donate by Employer Matching:
Did you know many companies offer a matching gift program to encourage philanthropy among their employees? There are many systems employers use for their giving programs. Here is the most common information requested:
Tax ID Number (EIN):
27-3460491
Contact:
Elena Maina, Executive Director, elena.maina@studentudurham.org
Address:
600 E. Umstead Street, Durham, NC 27701
Student U is a Durham nonprofit 501(c)3 organization (tax ID # 27-3460491). All donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-814-5400. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
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