To advance its mission of making Durham County the best place to live, work and visit, Durham Next is partnering within the community to invest in like-minded initiatives that strengthen the visitor economy, deliver meaningful benefits for residents and move Durham closer to realizing its 20-year vision. 

Primarily funded through occupancy tax revenue generated by overnight hotel stays in Durham, these investments will support projects that attract visitors, create vibrant community experiences and drive economic impact. 

This program comprises two separate funds. 

Accelerate: A Durham Festival Collective 

Accelerate is a multi-year, capacity-building program designed to strengthen Durham's festival ecosystem by supporting a small group of high-potential, homegrown festivals. The goal of this initiative is to increase economic impact, improve festival quality and sustainability and advance Durham's identity as a vibrant, inclusive and entrepreneurial destination. 

The Durham Next Impact Fund 

The Durham Next Impact Fund (IF) invests in activations and events that deliver tangible benefits to residents while attracting visitors from outside the county. Through this program, Durham Next will catalyze bold ideas and innovative experiences that contribute to a stronger, more dynamic Durham for residents and visitors alike. 

For more information on each of these initiatives, check out the full program overview.