About us
We are Caris Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established and incorporated in North Carolina. Our organization is dedicated to supporting the Durham community by providing emergency rental assistance and covering other essential housing-related expenses, such as electric and water bills.
Caris maintains its operations through generous donations, mostly from private individuals. Caris is a nimble organization with no significant operating expenses, allowing our leadership maximum flexibility to donate nearly all our operating income to folks in the community.
Our recent contributions to neighbors in need have exceeded $50,000 per year enabling hundreds of families in Durham to avert the threat of eviction and remain in their homes. In 2025 alone, Caris paid out $87,793 on behalf of 118 families for rent, electricity, transportation, and other living expenses.
Housing needs are vast, and rental assistance needs are no exception. We have carved out a specific niche, concentrating on families and individuals who are struggling temporarily to pay their rent due to unforeseen circumstances—such as health problems, job transitions, or even relatively mundane issues like car trouble. We've been able to step in and fill this crucial gap, offering rental assistance that provides tenants with the crucial time they need to keep a roof over their heads.
Board of Directors
- Charles Holton, President — a Durham attorney. Professor Emeritus at Duke Law School, and former Director of the Duke Civil Justice Clinic, now retired
- Dr. Janice Massey, Vice President — Professor of Neurology and Senior Vice-Chair of the Department of Neurology at Duke Medical Center
- Andrew Holton, Secretary — Executive Vice President and COO of the Research Triangle Foundation
- John Holton, Treasurer — a civil litigation attorney with Miller Monroe Holton & Plyler in Raleigh
- Ben Holton, Technology Manager
