Grants Overview

We make grants to support effective programs and practices, enable innovation and strengthen existing systems and organizations.

The Endowment has awarded more than $4.2 billion in grants since its inception, including over $1.5 billion to Duke University. With assets, as of 12/31/21 to be $5.6B in 2021 per unaudited financials, the Endowment is one of the nation’s largest 501(c)(3) private foundations. Today, more than 80 percent of our total spending goes to grantmaking.

The Duke Endowment Supports

Indenture program area 01

We work through select North Carolina and South Carolina organizations to:

  • Ensure children grow up in families safe from maltreatment
  • Improve the health of Carolinians
  • Advance high-value education for students
  • Preserve the pivotal role United Methodist churches play in rural communities

In 2020, The Duke Endowment distributed $171.4 million through 372 grants, some of which were approved in previous years. The Endowment approved 167 new grants totaling nearly $203.6 million, some of which will be paid in future years.

Child & Family Well-Being Health Care Higher Education Rural Church

2020 Grantmaking

Grants Child Family Well Being
Grants Health Care
Grants Higher Education
Grants Rural Church
Grants Special Initiatives
Grants Total Grantmaking
Grants New Commitments
Grants North and South Carolina
Grants Grants Made

View additional information in the 2020 Annual Grantmaking Overview and Annual Grantmaking Addendum.

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