DIAPER BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA

What DIAPER BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA does

Diaper Bank of North Carolina (DBNC) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2013 and headquartered in Hillsborough, NC, that distributes essential hygiene products — diapers, period products, adult incontinence supplies, and formula — to families in need across North Carolina. The organization operates a partner agency distribution model, routing products through more than 145 social service organizations, healthcare systems (Duke Health, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Novant Health), early childhood programs, shelters, schools, and military family services rather than distributing directly to individuals. It maintains regional branches in the Triangle (Hillsborough), Lower Cape Fear (Wilmington), Charlotte, and the Greater Triad, with 15 employees.

DBNC's product surface has expanded from its diaper-distribution origin to include Period Power (menstrual products to menstruating individuals and 1,000+ public schools), Adult Incontinence (which has seen a 2000% increase in distribution requests since 2020), and Formula. In 2026 the organization introduced two new direct-distribution programs: the Free Period Pantry in Durham (no forms, no appointments, no barriers) and the Essentials Hub (designed with under-resourced communities for direct delivery). DBNC also operates the Period Power Coalition, a youth-led advocacy initiative holding an annual Period Advocacy Day at the NC General Assembly.

The business model is fundraising-driven rather than revenue-driven: DBNC raises funds through individual donations (including a monthly Circle of Change recurring giving program), corporate and foundation grants, and physical supply donations via drop-off locations. All products are provided free of charge to qualifying families through partner agencies. The organization reports that 89 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to programs. DBNC holds a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (GuideStar) and maintains a research function staffed by a PhD researcher, claiming to be the only diaper bank in the country publishing peer-reviewed research on program outcomes.

Name

DIAPER BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA

Legal name

Diaper Bank of North Carolina

Website

https://ncdiaperbank.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Diaper Bank of North Carolina is a 501c3 nonprofit that distributes diapers, period products, adult incontinence supplies, and formula free of charge to families across North Carolina through a network of 145+ partner agencies, plus new direct-distribution programs including the Durham Period Pantry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Hygiene Product Distribution

NAICS

Child Care Services (62441), Community Food Services (62421)

akta.pro primary industry

Postpartum Newborn Care & Parent Education (NCS) (HSAAACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Infant & Toddler Sleep, Feeding & Diapering Support Programs (EDACAGAJ)

Keywords

• Diaper bank services
• Period product distribution
• Adult incontinence supplies
• Nonprofit hygiene assistance
• Essential supplies program

Headquarters

HQ city

Hillsborough

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization raises funds from individual donors through one-time and recurring donations. The Circle of Change program allows donors to give monthly to sustain programs.
2. Supply Donations: DBNC accepts physical product donations (diapers, period supplies, adult incontinence products) from individuals and organizations through designated drop-off locations.
3. Corporate and Foundation Grants: The organization receives support from corporate sponsors and foundation grants to fund operations and product distribution.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Diaper Bank of North Carolina is a 501c3 nonprofit that distributes free essential hygiene products — including diapers, period supplies, adult incontinence products, and formula — to families in need across North Carolina. Products are sourced through donations and grants and delivered through a network of over 145 partner social service agencies, with new direct-access channels such as the Period Pantry and Essentials Hub.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Diapers Program Free diaper distribution for families with infants and toddlers in North Carolina facing diaper need, delivered through partner social service agencies across the state.
• Period Power Free menstrual product distribution for menstruating individuals across North Carolina, including distribution through over 1,000 public schools, addressing period poverty.
• Period Pantry Walk-in free period product pantry in Durham, NC providing pads, tampons, and menstrual hygiene products with no forms, no appointments, and no barriers, co-located with other trusted neighborhood resources.
• Adult Incontinence Program Free adult incontinence supplies distribution for seniors and adults on limited incomes in North Carolina, distributed through partner agencies including NC MedAssist's OTC Free Store in Charlotte.
• Formula Program Free infant formula distribution to families in need across North Carolina through the partner agency network.
• Essentials Hub Community-designed direct-to-neighborhood distribution program delivering essential hygiene products directly to under-resourced North Carolina communities to remove access barriers.
• Disaster Response Emergency hygiene supply distribution responding to natural disasters and crises affecting families in North Carolina.
• Research Program Outcomes research program evaluating the impact of hygiene assistance, with publications in academic journals including SAGE Journals; DBNC is the only diaper bank in the country publishing research on outcomes of giving hygiene products.

Quantifiable outcome

• 76% of families receiving diapers are working families
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• A Guided Journey (Care Ring)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partner that distributes hygiene products to families through wrap-around social services.
• Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist - Birth CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealthcare provider integrating diaper distribution into maternal health services.
• Duke HealthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealthcare system distributing hygiene products to patients in need.
• Novant HealthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealthcare system partner including NHRMC Neonatal Family Advisory Council.
• Smart Start of Mecklenburg CountycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEarly childhood organization serving families with young children.
• Freedom CommunitiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoms Moving Forward program providing family support services.
• Oak City CarescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorComprehensive services to individuals in need in the Raleigh area.
• Armed Services YMCA Fort BraggcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorServes military families who report high rates of diaper need (70% felt they didn't have enough diapers).
• Nourish UpcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCharlotte-based partner operating multiple distribution locations including Eastern Hills Baptist Church, Statesville Ave. Presbyterian Church.
• NC MedAssistcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdult incontinence supplies distributed through OTC Free Store in Charlotte.
• Catholic Charities Diocese of CharlottecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides diaper assistance as part of comprehensive family support services.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank: Regional diaper bank serving Ohio and Kentucky with a comparable partner-agency distribution model. Directly comparable in scale and product offerings.
• Cradles to Crayons: Nonprofit providing essential goods to children from birth through age 12, including diapers and hygiene items, via a partner agency model. Comparable distribution architecture and target demographic.
• Greater Chicago Diaper Bank: Regional Chicago-area diaper bank serving families across Illinois through a partner network. Comparable mission, distribution model, and emphasis on diaper need as a public health issue.
• Helping Mamas: Atlanta-based nonprofit distributing diapers, period products, and baby essentials to families in need through partner agencies. Direct peer in product mix and diaper-bank distribution model.
• Austin Diaper Bank: Regional diaper bank serving Central Texas with similar partner agency distribution model. Comparable in scale, mission, and operational approach to DBNC.
• National Diaper Bank Network: Umbrella network of more than 200 diaper banks across the U.S., of which DBNC is a member. Directly comparable in mission and distribution model, with the network providing aggregated national advocacy and supply sourcing.
• Baby2Baby: National nonprofit distributing essential items including diapers, clothing, and formula to children in need. Highly comparable mission and product mix; operates at significantly larger scale across multiple states.

Regional players

• Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina: Regional food bank serving the same North Carolina geography as DBNC. Comparable in distribution through partner agencies and serving low-income families, with overlap in donor base and corporate partnerships.
• NC MedAssist: North Carolina-based nonprofit distributing over-the-counter medications and adult incontinence supplies. Direct operational partner of DBNC and comparable in serving low-income North Carolinians through OTC Free Store model.

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: National nonprofit addressing food insecurity through a similar partner-agency distribution model. Comparable operational architecture and donor base, though different core product (food vs. hygiene).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dbnclcapefear
• Facebookfacebook.com/LowerCapeFearDiaperBank
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diaper-bank-of-north-carolina

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DIAPER BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA