In 1996, Duke President Nannerl Keohane endorsed the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership Initiative (DDNP), hoping to build a mutually beneficial relationship between Duke and the surrounding community. The Initiative financed a number of programs, including the establishment of Walltown Children's Theatre, educational partnerships with local elementary schools, and renovation of low-income housing. In 2020, the DDNP merged with the Duke Office of Durham and Community Affairs, which now maintains Duke’s relationships with DDNP neighborhoods.