Our History

Each phase of our growth has contributed to the Foundation becoming what it is today and what it will become in the future. Indeed, we have a rich history and an active present, but we believe the greatest work of Triangle Community Foundation lies in the years yet to come.

Click on timeline to scroll through the years.

The Beginning: Vision Becomes Reality

In 1983, Dr. George Hitchings inspired a group of Durham’s leading citizens to launch the Greater Durham Community Foundation. Twenty-five years later his vision has evolved into Triangle Community Foundation—our region’s largest general funder. The Foundation’s 25th anniversary year marked a significant moment in our history. Triangle Community Foundation is a very dynamic organization, much like the region we serve. We are extremely grateful for the enthusiastic support of the nonprofits with which we are privileged to work, and to our fundholders for making the Foundation what it is today.

If we were scholars studying the evolution of the Triangle Community Foundation, we might break it down into five distinct epochs:

The Formative Years (1983-1987)

Growing Into The Triangle (1988 - 1993)

Becoming a Catalyst for Change (1994 - 1998)

Engaging the Donor as Entrepreneur (1999 - 2003)

Adopting The Balanced Model (2004 - 2008)