Early Days
1924 - 1969
James B. Duke Establishes The Duke Endowment
On December 11, 1924, James B. Duke signs an Indenture of Trust, establishing The Duke Endowment with an initial gift of $40 million. His philanthropy builds on the giving begun by his father, Washington, and carried on by his older brother, Ben. Mr. Duke is Chair of The Duke Endowment’s Board of Trustees from 1924 to 1925.
Photo courtesy of Duke University Archives.
Duke University Cornerstone Set by Doris Duke
The Duke University West Campus cornerstone is set by Doris Duke, only child of James B. Duke. The stone was moved across the quad to the General Library tower shortly after, as it had been cut too large for the West Campus Union space.
Photo courtesy of Duke University Archives.
Duke University School of Religion
James B. Duke says he owes his success to his “daddy and the Methodist Church.” “My old daddy always said that if he amounted to anything in life it was due to the Methodist circuit riders who frequently visited his home and whose preaching and counsel brought out the best that was in him,” Mr. Duke says.
Class of 1931-32. Photo courtesy of Duke University Archives.e
Working on Behalf of Children
The Endowment begins to focus its child care efforts on placing “difficult-to-adopt” children. James B. Duke’s compassion for vulnerable children was shaped by his childhood, when his aunts and extended relatives cared for him after his mother died and his father was conscripted into military service.
Photo: Orphans at the Children’s Home in Winston-Salem eat in the Central Dining Room in the 1920s.
Securing Opportunities for Higher Education
To celebrate James B. Duke’s centennial, the Endowment creates the James B. Duke Scholarship Fund for students at Duke University. Through the 1950s and 1960s, the Endowment provides critical funds to secure the future of Johnson C. Smith University, saving it from the closures that affected hundreds of other historically black colleges. The Endowment’s work in higher education stems from Mr. Duke’s belief that educating principled people in medicine, law, education and other fields would generate individual contributions that would, in turn, benefit society. Mr. Duke designated contributions that helped build Duke University and provided major support to Davidson College, Furman University and Johnson C. Smith University.
Photo courtesy of Duke University
Investing in Higher Education
The Endowment’s work in higher education stems from James B. Duke’s belief that educating principled people in medicine, law and other fields will benefit society. His philanthropy helps build Duke University and provides major support to Davidson College, Furman University and Johnson C. Smith University, an historically Black institution in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Photo courtesy of Johnson C. Smith University.
Funding Rural Church Ministries
Since its inception, the Endowment has helped construct and renovate church buildings, train clergy and support retired ministers. In 1966, the first special grants for rural churches begin to fund specific ministries and help churches expand services to the congregation and community.
Church Expansion
A rural church in Manteo, North Carolina expands with support from The Duke Endowment.
Photo courtesy of Duke University Archives.