The Duke Endowment

The Endowment maintains a consistent focus on its four core program areas (health care, child care, higher education, rural church) within North Carolina and South Carolina. Recent emphasis includes addressing health equity, early childhood development, and strengthening community infrastructure. Geographic restrictions to NC and SC are strict, and preferred grantees are often established institutions and nonprofits within these states, including their long-term beneficiaries.

The Duke Endowment typically operates by invitation or through a structured application process, often requiring a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) or concept paper. Unsolicited proposals without prior engagement or alignment with specific program initiatives are generally not accepted.