COMMITTED TO
THE CAROLINAS

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.

Our work focuses primarily on four program areas and builds off of strong connections with our grantees and community partners.

Child family well being

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.

Health care

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.

2024 Annual Report: NEXT

In 2024, The Duke Endowment celebrated 100 years of philanthropic work. We traveled to communities across the Carolinas, seeking to deepen ties with our grantees and celebrate their achievements as we reflected on our work together. Now, we look ahead to our second century of service. In our 2024 Annual Report, our grantees survey the challenges and opportunities to come. 

Read Our 2024 Annual Report

Read Our New Newsletter

As we look ahead to our next century, we have refreshed our newsletter to better showcase the good work of our grantees and to share what we’re learning, what’s inspiring us and the promising programs and initiatives we support.

Read Our Newsletter

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

Story Ready for School Ready for Life CEO Teshanda Middleton2

More than Ready to Strengthen Guilford County’s Early Childhood System

Teshanda Middleton leads Ready for School, Ready for Life with a data-driven vision to ensure every Guilford County child and family thrives.

November 24, 2025

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Reducing Child Abuse in South Carolina

South Carolina is expanding the evidence-based Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) through a public-private partnership aimed at reducing child abuse and neglect statewide.

November 14, 2025

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Carolinas Expand Safe Babies Court Model

Safe Babies Court helps infants and toddlers in foster care find safe, permanent homes faster in North and South Carolina.

November 14, 2025

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Simple Adaptations to Expand Church Ministries

United Methodist churches in North Carolina are turning unused spaces into new ministries that support local needs like respite care and mental health.

October 27, 2025

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Healing at Home — Intensive Alternative Family Treatment (IAFT®)

The IAFT program is stabilizing foster youth and their families through trauma-informed, home-based care.

August 11, 2025

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From Empty to Essential: Repurposing Church Property to Build Community

Repurposing a closed church allowed the creation of Lydia’s Place, an independent nonprofit transitional shelter for women and children.

August 11, 2025

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