The Duke Endowment enriches lives and strengthens communities in North Carolina and South Carolina.

We support grantees as they nurture children, promote health, educate minds and uplift spirits

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Child & Family Well-Being

All children deserve to grow up safe from maltreatment, supported by nurturing families and caring adults. The Duke Endowment is dedicated to enabling children in the Carolinas to live successful lives.

Health care

Health Care

The Duke Endowment believes that maintaining good health over time is dependent on a person’s ability to lead a healthy lifestyle and access essential health care services.

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Higher Education

The Duke Endowment supports the four institutions named in Mr. Duke’s Indenture of Trust: Davidson College, Duke University, Furman University and Johnson C. Smith University.

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Rural Church

We are committed to preserving the pivotal role churches play in rural communities. The Duke Endowment supports clergy and congregations — ensuring they have the tools they need to walk faithfully together — as they strengthen rural areas.

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Additional Focus

Through other Endowment initiatives, and particularly our strategic emphasis on early childhood, we respond to today’s needs and intervene early to keep tomorrow’s problems from taking root.

Our Renewed Grantmaking Strategies

We have just completed an intensive effort to renew the strategic approaches behind our grantmaking in each of our four program areas. President Rhett Mabry shares reflections and insights coming out of the process as we prepare for the journey ahead.

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Our Commitment to Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We are systematically reviewing our grantmaking and organizational culture through the lens of racial equity, diversity and inclusion to better understand and fight the damaging effects of historic inequities and systemic bias across our work.

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Our Strategic Focus on Ages Zero to Eight 

We believe that a good beginning for children bodes well for their lives as adults and for their communities. The Endowment seeks strong starts for more children.

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Latest News & Stories

Get the latest from the Endowment and read more about the impact of the work being done by our grantees and individuals in the field

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As Rural Hospitals Struggle, A Hopeful New Model Emerges

UNC Hospitals, with support from the Endowment, has opened the doors of an innovative new labor and delivery unit in rural Siler City, N.C.

May 12, 2022 | Martha Carlough, Ellen Chetwynd, Katie Wouk

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Fresh Start Program Tackles Type II Diabetes

Fresh Start, a partnership between East Carolina University nutrition students and free community care providers, offers free healthy food items, cooking classes, nutritional advice, learning lessons and more to low-income and uninsured diabetes patients throughout northeastern North Carolina. Read more here.

May 9, 2022 | The Daily Advance (Elizabeth City, N.C.)

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A New Mom’s View of the Importance of Child Abuse Awareness Month

In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, a new mom urges greater empathy and support for struggling parents and caregivers.

April 18, 2022 | Kate A. Gaskin

News Davidson Campus for $25 million grant news release

$25 Million Investment from The Duke Endowment Supports Three Hallmarks of Davidson College

The Duke Endowment has committed $25 million to Davidson College to fund scholarships, establish new professorships and create student experiences, such as internships and research, that connect students’ classroom work to where they will effect change in the world.

April 13, 2022 | Davidson College

News First Steps

New S.C. Initiative Aims to Reduce the Need for Foster Care

S.C. leaders have announced Connected Families, a new public-private initiative to prevent child maltreatment, strengthen families, and improve mental health outcomes for families involved in child welfare services.

April 11, 2022 | S.C. First Steps

News Duke Law

Endowment Awards $10 Million Grant to Duke Law School

The Duke Endowment has given a $10 million grant to Duke University to create new financial aid opportunities in the Law School and help remove economic barriers for students to study law and launch their careers.

April 11, 2022 | Duke Today

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Apply for a grant

Select 501(c)(3) organizations in North Carolina and South Carolina may be eligible for grants through The Duke Endowment.

Child & Family Well-Being Health Care Rural Church
Or Edit an Existing Application