Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for higher education grants?

Eugene W. Cochrane Jr., President, The Duke Endowment, discusses the Endowment's history and work strengthening higher education.

Higher Education grants are limited to the following North Carolina and South Carolina institutions:

• Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina
• Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
• Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina
• Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, North Carolina

What kinds of projects does the Endowment fund?

Three broad categories define how we fund efforts supporting higher education.

1. Replicating success grants reflect the value we place on proven programs and effective practices that support local communities and vulnerable residents, or that directly improve individual students' lives. Possible grant requests for this application could include, but are not limited to, programs that support:
   
   • Leadership development programs for students
   • Support of local community initiatives
2. Strengthening organizations grants reflect our commitment to investing in building the infrastructure of four select colleges and universities. 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. Possible grant requests for this application could include, but are not limited to, programs that support:
   
   • Scholarships
   • Endowed professorships
   • Academic programming
3. Advancing innovation grants reflect our investment in projects that strive to outperform existing models. Virtually any challenge or opportunity related to stronger achievement of the school's mission is relevant to innovation. Possible grant requests for this category may include evaluating new models or testing strategies to enhance a promising practice.

When are grant applications due?

In 2010, Higher Education will not be accepting new grant requests. The Trustees of The Duke Endowment meet to review Higher Education grant requests in May. Generally, applications must be received by December 15 for consideration at the May meeting.

Why isn't Higher Education accepting grant applications at this time?

In response to the current economic situation, we're making efforts to honor all of our current commitments and to preserve our endowment for future funding. We will not be accepting applications for new grants in 2010.

When will Higher Education accept new grant requests? How will I know?

We will reevaluate our situation in 2011.

Why does the Endowment only give higher education grants to four institutions?

All of our grants benefit organizations in the Carolinas. In the field of education, our founder Mr. Duke chose to direct all grants to private, church-affiliated institutions of higher education that were known and respected by him or his business associates.

Is there a process by which other colleges and universities can become eligible for Endowment funding?

No. Our education grants are limited to the four institutions named in 1924 in the Indenture of Trust (pdf). You can learn more in the About us section about how the work we do today is connected to Mr. Duke's life and continues to honor his philanthropic intentions.

Does the Endowment fund primary or secondary education?

No. While he obviously appreciated the importance of high-quality primary and secondary education, Mr. Duke chose to focus his philanthropy on higher education. This choice is consistent with his 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."

Does the Endowment award scholarships to individuals?

No. We provide scholarship support to the four eligible institutions, which in turn award scholarships to individual students.

Does the Endowment provide education grant support to after-school programs, teacher training programs, adult education programs, or others?

No. We are restricted to making education grants only to the four eligible institutions. While these other programs are certainly worthwhile, Mr. Duke did not choose to provide education grants to support them.