COMMITTED TO
THE CAROLINAS

Marking a Century of Giving

Commemorating our first century and looking ahead to the next, we intend to invest up to $5 billion over the next 15 years as we advance opportunities, accelerate progress, enrich lives and strengthen communities.

Visit Our Centennial Site Read the Press Release

The Duke Endowment seeks to enrich lives and communities across North Carolina and South Carolina by supporting 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.

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Health Care

The Duke Endowment believes that all people can achieve their best health when communities are designed to support healthy lifestyles and when our health care system is able to engage patients and provide holistic care that meets the unique needs of each individual.

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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.

Committed to the Carolinas: Reflections on a Century

To mark the 100th anniversary of our commitment to the Carolinas, The Duke Endowment connected with many grantee partners from across our history to hear and tell stories about the impact of Mr. Duke’s legacy. Some of the stories were personal; the whole experience was profound. In this 2023 Annual Report, we’ve spotlighted some of those grantees, who tell their stories — in their own voices.

Read Our 2023 Annual Report

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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Reimagining Church Real Estate

An adaptive reuse program is helping rural communities by giving unused church properties a new lease on life.

May 14, 2025

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North Carolina Invests in Therapeutic Foster Home Model

This month, The Duke Endowment’s Child and Family Well-being program area celebrates National Foster Care Awareness Month as time to recognize the resilience of children and youth experiencing the foster care system and the incredible caregivers who support them.

April 29, 2025

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North Carolina Expands Success Coach Program Statewide

N.C. Department of Health and Human Services takes promising child welfare program statewide.

April 4, 2025 | N.C. Department of Health and Human Services

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New Initiative Brings Dental Services to Head Start Centers Across the Carolinas

School-Based Oral Health Initiative expands, adding dental clinics in Head Start centers.

March 10, 2025

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Endowment Gives $2 Million to Advance New Project on Pluralism, Free Inquiry and Belonging

The Duke Endowment will provide $2 million to Duke University to launch the Provost’s Initiative on Pluralism, Free Inquiry and Belongin.

February 20, 2025 | Duke Chronicle

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The Duke Endowment Announces the Promotions of Three Staff Members

The Duke Endowment is pleased to announce recent promotions for Jay Kennedy, Brittany Worden and Eric Frazier.

February 6, 2025

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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