FAQs

Child Care

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Q: My organization is starting a child-care program/early education program/after-school program. Can we apply for a grant?

A: The Endowment awards grants in North Carolina and South Carolina only to eligible organizations. Grants are available for child day-care centers, early education programs, or after-school programs only if they are affiliated with one of these organizations.

The Endowment's Rural Church Division also makes grants to rural United Methodist churches in North Carolina that are operating child-care programs, but it cannot make grants to churches of other denominations. If your rural United Methodist church is interested in a grant for a church-operated child-care program, please contact our Rural Church Division.

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Q: Does the Endowment make grants for public school programs?

A: No. Our child care grants can be made only to eligible organizations.

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Q: How much will the Endowment contribute in a child care grant for a capital project?

A: Such grants typically cannot exceed 10 percent of the total project cost, and 60 percent of funds necessary for the project must already be committed before the Endowment will award a grant.

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Q: Does the Endowment ever make child care grants to organizations outside the traditional beneficiary list?

A: Sometimes. Occasionally the Endowment will launch an initiative that is open to non-traditional beneficiaries.

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Q: My organization also serves children at risk for abuse and neglect. Are we eligible for a grant?

A: While there are many worthwhile organizations working on behalf of children's welfare, The Duke Endowment has chosen to focus its efforts only on the eligible organizations previously mentioned. This choice is consistent with Mr. Duke's goal of achieving the maximum benefit through grantmaking in narrowly defined areas. As he wrote in his Indenture of Trust, broader grantmaking "probably would be productive of less good by reason of attempting too much."

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Q: Our residential facility serves some children from the Carolinas, but we are located in another state. Are we eligible for a grant?

A: No. In keeping with Mr. Duke's directions, residential facilities must be located in the Carolinas to be eligible.

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Q: We are starting a group home for children. Is it eligible for support?

A: Yes, after it has been licensed and accredited.

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Q: We are starting a foster care program. Is it eligible for support?

A: Yes, after it has been licensed and accredited.

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Q: What types of accreditation does the Endowment require for children's welfare agencies?

A: For residential facilities, foster care programs, and adoption placement services, we recognize accreditation by EAGLE, the Council on Accreditation, or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. For child advocacy centers, we recognize full accreditation by the National Children's Alliance.