RK DURHAM SENIORS SOCIAL CENTER

What RK DURHAM SENIORS SOCIAL CENTER does

The Durham Center for Senior Life (DCSL) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 406 Rigsbee Ave, Suite 202, in downtown Durham, North Carolina. Founded in 1949, the organization operates as a community-based senior services provider serving Durham County residents aged 55 and older, delivering free programs, services, classes, and events to more than 250 older adults each day. It is designated by the State of North Carolina as a Center of Excellence and is supported by 40+ staff across administration, programs, healthcare (RNs, LPNs, CNAs), facilities, development, and support services. Operations are anchored in a $5.5 million, 40,000 sq. ft. facility opened in 2006, supplemented by a satellite site at JFK Towers (4900 Roxboro Street).

DCSL's service portfolio is broad and delivered at no cost to participants. Core offerings include Adult Day Health services staffed by licensed clinical personnel; the DCSL EATS food assistance program; Congregate Nutrition meals served to approximately 60 individuals daily; the PEAS weekend frozen-meal program for adults with cognitive or functional impairments; Caregiver Support including respite care and support groups; Information and Assistance referrals; Options Counseling; SNAP application assistance; Health Promotion Classes (Tai Chi, Bingocize, A Matter of Balance, Powerful Tools for Caregivers); transportation; free notary services; and event-venue rental of the facility. There is no proprietary technology platform underpinning these services; technology integration is limited to partnership-driven programming such as VR headset experiences delivered with the Durham County Library.

The business model is a donation- and grant-funded nonprofit with no fee-for-service revenue from members. Funding streams include individual and corporate donations, foundation grants (Triangle Community Foundation is publicly listed as a partner), employer matching programs, planned giving, donor-advised funds, real estate and stock donations, and state government grants tied to its Center of Excellence designation. Ancillary revenue is generated through event-venue rentals. Marketing is community-led rather than sales-led: outreach is conducted via social media, a monthly newsletter, community presentations, blog content, and earned media coverage, with no paid acquisition motion. The organization holds a Charity Navigator Four-Star Rating and a 2023 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency.

Name

RK DURHAM SENIORS SOCIAL CENTER

Legal name

Durham Center for Senior Life

Website

https://dcslnc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Durham Center for Senior Life is a nonprofit providing free programs and services to Durham County residents aged 55+, including adult day health, nutrition, caregiver support, transportation, and health promotion at its 40,000 sq. ft. facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Senior Services

NAICS

Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Community-Based Senior Centers with Adult Day Services (HLADAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK), Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF), Caregiver Support & Education Programs (Center-Based) (HSABANAN), Community & Senior Center Lifelong Learning Programs (EDAAAMAB)

Keywords

• Senior services
• Adult day health
• Caregiver support
• Senior nutrition programs
• Nonprofit senior center

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: DCSL operates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The website promotes various donation methods including employer matching programs, planned giving, donor advised funds, real estate/vehicle donations, stock/bond donations, and in-kind donations.
2. Government Grants and Funding: As a Center of Excellence designated by the State of North Carolina, DCSL receives government funding to support its programs and services for older adults.
3. Event Venue Rental: DCSL rents out its 40,000 sq. ft. facility to the public for events including art exhibits, baby showers, birthdays, conferences, weddings, and workshops, generating rental revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Durham Center for Senior Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers free programs, services, classes, and events to adults aged 55 and older living in Durham County, North Carolina. Core offerings include Adult Day Health services with professional nursing staff, caregiver support and respite, multiple nutrition programs (DCSL EATS food pantry, Congregate Nutrition meals, PEAS weekend frozen meals), health promotion classes, transportation, information and assistance referrals, options counseling, free notary services, and event venue rental of its 40,000 sq. ft. facility. The organization is designated by the State of North Carolina as a Center of Excellence and serves more than 250 older adults each day.

Product overview

The Durham Center for Senior Life is a nonprofit organization designated by the State of North Carolina as a Center of Excellence, offering a comprehensive portfolio of services for adults 55+ in Durham County. The center serves as a unified hub providing Adult Day Health Services, caregiver support, nutrition programs (EATS, Congregate Nutrition, PEAS), health promotion classes, transportation, social services referrals, notary services, and event venue rental. All programs and services are offered free of charge to Durham County residents 55+.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adult Day Health Services Adult Day Health provides a structured day for adults 18 and older who have difficulty managing on their own because of frailty or the effects of disease, offering a safe and enriching environment with professional caregiver staff.
• Caregiver Support Program The Family Caregiver Support Program provides information, options counseling, Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes, Trualta education platform access, respite care, and monthly support groups for caregivers of loved ones 55+.
• Information and Assistance Certified Information and Options Specialists connect older adults with community resources including housing, home repair, legal services, transportation, medical equipment, and elder abuse support.
• Options Counseling Options Counseling provides guidance to individuals 60+ as they make informed choices about long-term services and supports, helping think through pros and cons while creating action plans.
• DCSL EATS Program EATS (Easing Access To food for Seniors) provides food assistance for adults 55+ including monthly pantry bags, Shop & Grab grocery access, cooking demonstrations, and Kitchenless Seniors EATS for those experiencing homelessness.
• Congregate Nutrition Program The Congregate Nutrition Program provides nutritious meals in a social atmosphere at no cost to senior members, serving approximately 60 individuals daily.
• PEAS Program Weekend frozen meals program providing two meals per week for older adults 60+ in Durham experiencing memory loss, cognitive impairment, or multiple ADL/IADL impairments.
• Health Promotion Classes Evidence-based courses including Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention, Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, A Matter of Balance, Bingocize, and Living Healthy Chronic Disease Self-Management Program.
• Congregate Transportation Services Transportation service providing access to congregate meals and activities for persons 60 years and older within Durham County.
• SNAP Assistance Partnership with More In My Basket to provide assistance applying for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
• Notary Services Free notary services for older adults in Durham County for documents including wills, trusts, deeds, contracts, and affidavits.
• On-Site Social Services On-site support from Durham County Department of Social Services and Durham County Veteran Services for placement, resources, and veteran benefits counseling.
• Event Venue Rental 40,000 sq. ft. event venue facility opened in 2006 with $5.5 million investment, including theater, café, exercise rooms, kitchen facilities, and spaces for various event types such as weddings, conferences, and art exhibits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 250+ older adults daily
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 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 minor, moderate and core.

• Central Pines SCminorOthersLocal partnership supporting senior services in the Central Pines region of North Carolina.
• Triangle Community FoundationmoderateOthersPhilanthropic foundation supporting nonprofits in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Partner logo displayed on DCSL website.
• BlueCross BlueShield of North CarolinamoderateOthersMajor health insurance provider in NC. Partner logo displayed on DCSL website indicating funding or programmatic partnership.
• HumanamoderateOthersHealthcare company providing Medicare plans and senior health services. Partner logo displayed on DCSL website.
• Duke HealthmoderateOthersMajor healthcare system in Durham. Partner logo displayed on DCSL website indicating collaborative relationship.
• AARP North CarolinamoderateOthersAdvocacy organization for Americans 50+. Partner logo displayed on DCSL website indicating alignment in serving older adults.
• State Employees Credit Union (SECU)moderateOthersSECU representatives conduct monthly financial workshops at DCSL including 'Understanding Credit' and other finance education sessions.
• Durham County Department of Social ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site social worker available Wednesdays to provide resources and support for placement of older adults into facilities. Veterans Services available Mondays and Wednesdays.
• More In My BasketmoderateOthersPartnership to provide assistance applying for SNAP (food stamp) benefits. DCSL refers seniors to More In My Basket for application support.
• Durham County LibraryminorOthersDurham County Library staff provide VR headsets and activities at DCSL, including virtual reality experiences, 3D painting, and virtual travel.
• Museum of Durham HistoryminorOthersMuseum staff conduct history presentations at DCSL, including presentations on local Durham history topics.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• LeadingAge: National association of nonprofit aging-services providers spanning senior housing, home care, adult day, and community services. Overlaps with DCSL's nonprofit senior-services positioning and adult day health programming.
• National Council on Aging: National nonprofit advocating for and supporting community-based aging programs including senior centers, benefits access, and evidence-based health programs. Comparable mission and many overlapping service categories at national scale.
• Meals on Wheels America: National umbrella organization supporting senior nutrition programs including congregate meals and home-delivered meals. Overlaps with DCSL's congregate nutrition, DCSL EATS, and PEAS food-security programs at scale.

Others

• AARP Foundation: National nonprofit arm of AARP focused on low-income 50+ adults, addressing food insecurity, social isolation, and caregiver support — mission areas that overlap with several DCSL programs. Functions as both a peer in mission space and a partner/funding entity for community-based aging services.

Emerging players

• National PACE Association: National organization representing Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which combine adult day health, medical care, and social services for nursing-home-eligible seniors. Comparable in adult day health and integrated care approach, though PACE is a clinical/Medicare-funded model.

Direct peers

• Senior Services, Inc. Winston-Salem-based nonprofit operating a senior center with adult day health, caregiver support, and similar community-based programming for older adults in NC. Most direct comparable given shared state, similar service bundle, and comparable Center of Excellence-style mission.
• Council on Aging of Buncombe County: Western NC nonprofit providing senior centers, adult day programs, caregiver support, and community education for older adults. Directly comparable operating model and program portfolio at similar scale.
• Chatham County Council on Aging: Regional NC aging-services nonprofit offering congregate meals, transportation, caregiver respite, and senior-center programming. Comparable community-based nonprofit model and service bundle for a county-level population.
• Resources for Seniors: Wake County, NC nonprofit providing information and assistance, options counseling, transportation, and caregiver support to older adults. Highly comparable in service mix and target population, operating in the same regional market.

Regional players

• Orange County Department on Aging: Adjacent-county NC government agency offering congregate nutrition, transportation, caregiver support, and senior-center programming. Comparable services but government-run rather than nonprofit, and serving a neighboring Triangle county.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCESZBPGcAGk9ZYOpC_4MRAw
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Durham-Center-for-Senior-Life/120739417999563
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/durham-center-for-senior-life
• Instagraminstagram.com/dcslnc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 RK DURHAM SENIORS SOCIAL CENTER