Strengthening Organizations

Child Care

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Through its Child Care work to strengthen organizations, The Duke Endowment invests in building the infrastructure of effective organizations and institutions. In our efforts to improve facilities, systems, management and operations, we are particularly interested in supporting opportunities that show great promise for long-term gains.

Our grants to strengthen organizations help established nonprofits and programs better accomplish their missions, thereby improving results. We often achieve this by supporting fund development, staff training, accreditation, technology and capital improvement projects.

We value projects and programs that increase organizational quality, effectiveness and sustainability. We assess both immediate costs and continuing expenses needed to sustain funded projects, and base our funding decisions on the potential for organizational improvement.

Eligibility examples
Applications in this category may include but are not limited to, grants for staff training, technology, accreditation and fund development. Approved grants in this application category will be asked to identify specified measures of the project and overall performance of the organization. Applicants should be prepared to answer the following questions:

• How will the proposed project have an organizational benefit, such as increased revenue and/or reduced cost?
• How will the project help the organization be more effective?

Downloads

Application Documents -- to be submitted

If you try to edit your answers in any of the forms, you'll find that you cannot delete individual words or sentences. If you need to edit large sections, we recommend that you create a Word document, copy your answer into that document and make changes there. You can then paste back into the original form.

• Application: Share how your project will strengthen your organization.
• Budget Form: Itemize your revenue sources and related expenses for the proposed project.
• Fund Development Readiness Checklist: If you are applying for a fund development grant, complete this checklist.

Application Resources -- for reference

• User Guide: Understand Endowment objectives and effectively frame your application.
• Sample Application and Budget: Structure your application and budget information on this example, which is mirrored in the user guide.
• Grantmaking strategy overview: Learn about The Duke Endowments funding strategies.

Reporting Documents for Active Grants -- to be submitted

If you try to edit your answers in any of the forms, you'll find that you cannot delete individual words or sentences. If you need to edit large sections, we recommend that you create a Word document, copy your answer into that document and make changes there. You can then paste back into the original form.

• Annual Reports:
  • Report Form: Report on annual results, challenges and anticipated outcomes.
  • Budget Form: Report on annual revenue and related expenses.
• Final Reports:
  • Report Form: Report on project results, challenges and lessons learned.
  • Budget Form: Report on final revenue and related expenses.

The Duke Endowment requires the following documents from all FIRST TIME grant applicants:

• brief cover letter with CEO/President's signature-acknowledges that the information included in the application is complete and accurate
• copy of the organizational articles of incorporation
• copy of your license
• copy of the deed(s) to the property (for capital projects only),
• audited financial statements for the past two fiscal years ended
• listing of the names and mailing addresses of your Board of Directors/Trustees and your Executive Officers

If your organization has received Endowment funding in the past, you only need to submit:

• brief cover letter with CEO/President's signature-acknowledges that the information included in the application is complete and accurate
• audited financial statements for the past two fiscal years ended