Funding search · EIN 560529965 · Charlotte, NC

The Duke Endowment

Name: The Duke Endowment grants, 2021–2024
Creator: PaperOrbit
License: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organization-public-disclosure-and-availability-requirements

A private foundation (files IRS Form 990-PF). Most private foundations do not take unsolicited applications; the route in is usually a program officer.

1,614
grants reported: $830.3M
total given: 2021–2024
filing years: $200,000
median grant

Based on grants this organization reported to the IRS for tax years 2021–2024. This is what they filed, not a complete record of their giving, and recent years may be incomplete because filings lag.

What they fund

health care expand carolina community county north improve

Funder website ↗Full IRS filings ↗How this is built Report an error

Funding pattern

What this funder pays for, at what size, and how to position adjacent work. Read from their filings, with every number checked against the record.

Where the money goes

Duke University, Duke Health, and Duke Divinity School operations and faculty
Child and family well-being: evidence-based parenting programs in NC and SC
United Methodist rural church support, clergy health, and minister pensions
Higher education at Davidson, Furman, and Johnson C. Smith
Health care access, rural hospitals, and children's behavioral health
Hurricane Helene disaster relief in western NC and upstate SC

Typical grant

Median grant is $200,000, with the middle half between roughly $107,000 and $375,000. The multi-million checks are reserved for the four beneficiary institutions named in the indenture (Duke, Davidson, Furman, Johnson C. Smith) and for large intermediary bets like Get Ready Guilford or Children's Trust of South Carolina. Giving is heavily repeating: 1,614 grants went to only 454 recipients, and named grantees like Duke Divinity, the two NC Methodist conferences, and MUSC show up year after year.

Their words

Phrases from their own grant descriptions, worth speaking back to them.

“evidence-based programs”
“to continue support for”
“implementation support”
“child welfare system”
“rural congregations”
“system of care”

Positioning adjacent work

Frame work as implementation or evaluation of an evidence-based model already in their portfolio: Triple P, Incredible Years, Strengthening Families.
Anchor the project in North Carolina or South Carolina counties explicitly; national scope without Carolinas delivery reads off-mission.
Ask $500,000 to $900,000 for a multi-year study or RCT; that matches their UNC and MUSC research grants.
Partner with or route through a statewide intermediary (Children's Trust, NC DHHS, First Steps) rather than going solo.

Worth knowing: This is a place-bound endowment: 1,518 of 1,614 grants went to NC and SC, and the four institutions the founder named absorb the largest awards, so an outside researcher is competing for the middle tier, not the top. Recent years show growth in children's behavioral health, AI in health care, and clergy well-being research, plus one-time Hurricane Helene relief in 2024.

10 grants matching “advantage” · $26.0M

$4.3M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2024
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage.
$3.0M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2024
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage.
$2.9M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2024
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage.
$280,000
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2024
To support gallups continued evaluation of the furman advantage.
$4.3M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2023
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage.
$2.0M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2023
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage.
$280,000
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2023
To support gallups continued evaluation of the furman advantage.
$4.3M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2022
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage.
$4.3M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2021
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage
$500,000
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2021
To support gallup's evaluation of the furman advantage.

Top recipients

Repeat recipients are the strongest signal of whether a funder has an open door or quietly re-funds the same organizations.

Duke University97 grants · $201.9M
Furman University27 grants · $65.0M
Davidson College25 grants · $54.2M
Johnson C Smith University23 grants · $35.1M
Duke University Health System25 grants · $32.4M
Blue Meridian Partners13 grants · $29.0M
Duke Divinity School36 grants · $21.5M
Medical University of South Carolina Foundation64 grants · $19.0M
Ready for School Ready for Life18 grants · $18.2M
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill49 grants · $15.6M

Giving over time

$174.7M

2021

$212.3M

2022

$220.5M

2023

$222.8M

2024

Grant history

The 100 largest of 1,614 grants.

$21.5M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2023
To commemorate the duke endowment's and duke university's shared centennial (endowed).
$13.5M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2023
To provide unrestricted operating support.
$12.5M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2021
To provide unrestricted operating support.
$11.5M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2022
To provide unrestricted operating support.
$10.0M
Davidson College · Davidson, NC · 2023
To commemorate the duke endowments centennial and expand student access and experiential learning.
$9.8M
Blue Meridian Partners · New York, NY · 2023
To support the spartanburg academic movement, inc. That works to improve economic mobility by improving academic achievement across spartanburg county, south carolina.
$9.3M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2022
To commemorate the duke endowments centennial, unrestricted operating support due to financial hardship.
$8.6M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2022
To support the diversity, inclusion and anti-racism initiative.
$8.0M
Johnson C Smith University · Charlotte, NC · 2023
To commemorate the duke endowments centennial, support for implementing the new strategic plan in coordination with the charlotte mayors racial equity campaign.
$7.5M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2022
To continue to strengthen dukes capacity and reputation in the sciences by recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty for the university.
$7.5M
Duke University Health System · Durham, NC · 2022
To continue to strengthen dukes capacity and reputation in the sciences by recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty for the university health system.
$7.0M
Johnson C Smith University Incorporated · Charlotte, NC · 2021
West trade activation plan | phases 1 and 2 | land
$7.0M
Davidson College · Davidson, NC · 2022
To strengthen the james b. Duke scholarship program (endowed).
$6.8M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2024
To commemorate the duke endowment's and duke university's shared centennial (expendable).
$6.8M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2024
To continue to strengthen dukes capacity and reputation in the sciences by recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty for the university.
$6.8M
Duke University Health System · Durham, NC · 2024
To continue to strengthen dukes capacity and reputation in the sciences by recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty for the university health system.
$6.8M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2021
To continue to strengthen dukes capacity and reputation in the sciences by recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty for the university.
$6.8M
Duke University Health System · Durham, NC · 2021
To continue to strengthen dukes capacity and reputation in the sciences by recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty for the university health system.
$6.7M
Blue Meridian Partners · New York, NY · 2022
To support scaling of effective solutions for young people and families in poverty.
$6.5M
Davidson College · Davidson, NC · 2021
To strengthen the james b. Duke scholarship program. (endowed)
$6.2M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2023
To commemorate the duke endowment's and duke university's shared centennial (expendable).
$5.4M
Davidson College · Davidson, NC · 2023
To strengthen the james b. Duke scholarship program (endowed).
$5.0M
Community Foundation of Western North Carolina · Asheville, NC · 2024
To provide immediate relief in western north carolina in the aftermath of hurricane helene.
$5.0M
Davidson College · Davidson, NC · 2024
To commemorate the duke endowments centennial and expand student access and experiential learning.
$5.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2024
To commemorate the duke endowment's and duke university's shared centennial (capital).
$5.0M
Johnson C Smith University · Charlotte, NC · 2024
To commemorate the duke endowments centennial, support for implementing the new strategic plan in coordination with the charlotte mayors racial equity campaign.
$5.0M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2023
To commemorate the duke endowments centennial, unrestricted operating support due to financial hardship.
$5.0M
Davidson College · Davidson, NC · 2022
To commemorate the duke endowments centennial and expand student access and experiential learning.
$5.0M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2022
To provide additional endowment funds to the james b. Duke scholarship.
$4.9M
Ready for School Ready for Life · Greensboro, NC · 2023
To support the prenatal to age-3 evidence-based programs in guilford county.
$4.3M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2024
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage.
$4.3M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2023
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage.
$4.3M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2022
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage.
$4.3M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2021
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage
$4.2M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2021
To commemorate the duke endowments centennial, unrestricted operating support due to financial hardship.
$4.1M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2023
To commemorate the duke endowments centennial, unrestricted operating support due to financial hardship.
$4.0M
Johnson C Smith University · Charlotte, NC · 2023
To support the new strategic plan implementation in coordination with the charlotte mayors racial equity campaign.
$3.8M
Blue Meridian Partners · New York, NY · 2022
To support scaling of effective solutions for young people and families in poverty.
$3.5M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2024
To endow a full professorship in the office of black church studies at duke divinity school.
$3.4M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2021
To support the diversity, inclusion and anti-racism initiative.
$3.0M
Davidson College · Davidson, NC · 2024
To support the renovation of the e.h. Little library.
$3.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2024
To commemorate the duke endowment's and duke university's shared centennial (endowed).
$3.0M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2024
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage.
$3.0M
Duke University Health System · Durham, NC · 2021
To help the duke school of medicine advance biomedical science through artificial intelligence.
$2.9M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2024
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage.
$2.9M
Johnson C Smith University · Charlotte, NC · 2022
To support the new strategic plan implementation in coordination with the charlotte mayors racial equity campaign.
$2.9M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2021
To revitalize the master of divinity degree program.
$2.8M
Duke Divinity School · Durham, NC · 2022
To revitalize the master of divinity degree program.
$2.6M
Blue Meridian Partners · New York, NY · 2023
To satisfy anticipated blue meridian capital calls through 2024 for existing investments and any new investments supporting high-performing non-profits.
$2.6M
Duke Divinity School · Durham, NC · 2023
To revitalize the master of divinity degree program.
$2.6M
Get Ready Guilford · Greensboro, NC · 2024
To build an early childhood system of care and sustain evidence-based programs in guilford county, nc.
$2.5M
Central Carolina Community Foundation · Columbia, SC · 2024
To provide immediate relief in south carolina in the aftermath of hurricane helene.
$2.5M
Duke University Health System · Durham, NC · 2022
To help the duke school of medicine advance biomedical science through artificial intelligence.
$2.4M
Get Ready Guilford · Greensboro, NC · 2024
To build an early childhood system of care and sustain evidence-based programs in guilford county, nc.
$2.4M
Get Ready Guilford · Greensboro, NC · 2024
To build an early childhood system of care and sustain evidence-based programs in guilford county, nc.
$2.4M
Childrens Trust of South Carolina · Columbia, SC · 2024
To continue intermediary support for the strengthening families program implementation in south carolina.
$2.4M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2024
To commemorate the duke endowments centennial, unrestricted operating support due to financial hardship.
$2.4M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2024
To develop a signature, university-wide initiative to that helps students and faculty gain greater understanding of purpose, character and vocation.
$2.4M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2024
To support flexible funds for strategic initiatives of three senior administrative leaders.
$2.3M
South Carolina Department of Social Services · Columbia, SC · 2022
To continue implementation support for the strengthening families program in 30 south carolina counties.
$2.2M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2021
To develop and implement a new holistic approach to undergraduate advising.
$2.2M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2023
To develop a signature, university-wide initiative to that helps students and faculty gain greater understanding of purpose, character and vocation.
$2.1M
Johnson C Smith University Incorporated · Charlotte, NC · 2021
To support student financial aid and scholarships.
$2.0M
Get Ready Guilford · Greensboro, NC · 2024
To support the 2024 ready ready backbone operations.
$2.0M
Blue Meridian Partners · New York, NY · 2024
To satisfy anticipated blue meridian capital calls through 2026 for existing investments and any new investments supporting high-performing non-profits.
$2.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2024
To support graduate student fellowships.
$2.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2024
To support the renovation of lilly library.
$2.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2024
To support duke law schools scholarships and public interest assistance challenge.
$2.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2024
To continue to strengthen dukes capacity and reputation in the sciences by recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty for the university.
$2.0M
Duke University Health System · Durham, NC · 2024
To continue to strengthen dukes capacity and reputation in the sciences by recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty for the university health system.
$2.0M
Feeding the Carolinas · Clemmons, NC · 2024
To provide immediate relief to western north carolina and south carolina in the aftermath of hurricane helene.
$2.0M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2024
To provide operating support.
$2.0M
Johnson C Smith University · Charlotte, NC · 2024
To support the new strategic plan implementation in coordination with the charlotte mayors racial equity campaign.
$2.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2023
To support flexible funds for strategic initiatives of three senior administrative leaders.
$2.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2023
To commemorate the duke endowment's and duke university's shared centennial (capital).
$2.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2023
To support graduate student fellowships.
$2.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2023
To continue to strengthen dukes capacity and reputation in the sciences by recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty for the university.
$2.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2023
To support duke law schools scholarships and public interest assistance challenge.
$2.0M
Duke University Health System · Durham, NC · 2023
To help the duke school of medicine advance biomedical science through artificial intelligence.
$2.0M
Duke University Health System · Durham, NC · 2023
To continue to strengthen dukes capacity and reputation in the sciences by recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty for the university health system.
$2.0M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2023
To continue to support strengthening and expanding the furman advantage.
$2.0M
Children'S Trust of South Carolina · Columbia, SC · 2022
To continue implementation support for the positive parenting program in south carolina.
$2.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2022
To support flexible funds for strategic initiatives of three senior administrative leaders.
$2.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2022
To support the renovation of lilly library.
$2.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2022
To support duke law schools scholarships and public interest assistance challenge.
$2.0M
Upstream USA · Boston, MA · 2022
To reduce unplanned pregnancies in north carolina.
$2.0M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2021
To support the renovation of lilly library.
$2.0M
Get Ready Guilford · Greensboro, NC · 2024
To build an early childhood system of care and sustain evidence-based programs in guilford county, nc.
$1.9M
Duke University · Durham, NC · 2022
To develop a signature, university-wide initiative to that helps students and faculty gain greater understanding of purpose, character and vocation.
$1.9M
Mdrc · New York, NY · 2024
To evaluate the work of ready for school, ready for life in 2024
$1.9M
Children'S Home Society of North Carolina · Greensboro, NC · 2022
To expand healthy steps in guilford county in 2022.
$1.8M
Ready for School Ready for Life · Greensboro, NC · 2023
To support the routes to ready navigation system in guilford county.
$1.8M
Davidson College · Davidson, NC · 2023
To provide unrestricted operating support.
$1.8M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2023
To provide unrestricted operating support.
$1.8M
Johnson C Smith University · Charlotte, NC · 2023
To provide unrestricted operating support.
$1.8M
Davidson College · Davidson, NC · 2022
To provide unrestricted operating support.
$1.8M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2022
To provide unrestricted operating support.
$1.8M
Johnson C Smith University · Charlotte, NC · 2022
To provide unrestricted operating support.
$1.8M
Davidson College · Davidson, NC · 2021
To provide unrestricted operating support.
$1.8M
Furman University · Greenville, SC · 2021
To provide unrestricted operating support.

View all 1,614 grants →

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Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part XV, as filed by the foundation. These are grants already paid — a record of what this funder backs, not an open call.