For Grantseekers

We focus our expertise and resources on vulnerable children, health care, higher education and rural United Methodist churches in North Carolina and South Carolina, balancing direct aid in the present with strategic investment for the future.

Current Grants Status

The Duke Endowment, like many philanthropic organizations has experienced a decline in assets due to the recent events in the financial markets. The downturn has impacted our ability to fund new grants. Until economic conditions become more favorable, grantmaking consideration will be limited. Please contact a Program Manager with questions.

As we face these challenging times, we will continuously evaluate our ability to support new initiatives aimed at improving life in the Carolinas.

Funding Opportunities

For those interested in applying for a grant, please review the information below.

Grant Application Guidelines and Process

Determine your organization's eligibility

Apply for a Grant

If you are applying for a new grant, you must take our eligibility questionnaire; your answers will lead you to the application that best matches your program’s objectives. Start with the eligibility questionnaire every time you submit a new application (even if you are a returning grantee).

To access information about past applications, complete "in process applications" or submit required forms for current grants, log in to our online system with your unique username and password.

Resources for Applying for Grants

Application Process Overviews

• Child Care(pdf)
• Health Care(pdf)
• Higher Education(pdf)
• Rural Church(pdf)

Grantmaking and Funding Categories

Applications for grants to replicate success must focus on accomplishing work through proven programs or effective practices.

Proven Programs

The Duke Endowment defines "proven programs" as models or interventions that have at least two randomized control trials and have a sustained effect at least one year beyond the end of the treatment.

Proven Programs Application Guidelines for all program areas (pdf)

Effective Practices

The Duke Endowment defines "effective practices" as programs that have less than two randomized control trials, but have documented information (such as pre-test data, post-test data, or comparison group data) suggesting the intervention will produce positive results.

• Child Care (pdf)
• Health Care (pdf)
• Higher Education (pdf)
• Rural Church (pdf)

Strengthening Organizations Grant Application Guidelines

Applications for grants to strengthen organizations must focus on building the infrastructure of effective organizations.

• Child Care (pdf)
• Health Care (pdf)
• Higher Education (pdf)
• Rural Church (pdf)
  • Construction and Renovation grants

Advancing Innovation Grant Application Guidelines

Applications for grants to advance innovation must focus on programs that test innovative approaches designed to outperform existing models.

• Child Care (pdf)
• Health Care (pdf)
• Higher Education (pdf)
• Rural Church (pdf)

Additional Resources for Grantseekers

• The Foundation Center Cooperating Collection at the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County is a body of resources available for research on funding opportunities from foundations and corporations.
• The Council on Foundation's CF Locator is a helpful service for connecting with a local community foundation.
• Guidestar offers deep information on the nonprofit sector, including an analysis of data about nonprofits and information about giving.
• The United Way website offers a locator for finding the United Way agency that serves a specific area or community.