About The Duke Endowment
Fulfilling a Legacy
Since 1924, The Duke Endowment has worked to help people and strengthen communities in North Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing children, promoting health, educating minds and enriching spirits.
Located in Charlotte, N.C., the Endowment seeks to fulfill the visionary genius and innovative legacy of James Buchanan Duke, one of the great industrialists and philanthropists of the 20th century. Mr. Duke established the Endowment in 1924 with $40 million. In 1925, it was expanded with an additional $67 million from his estate. Adjusted for present value, Mr. Duke's total gifts would amount to almost $1.4 billion today. It was by the stroke of his pen that James B. Duke created The Duke Endowment, and the integration of his signature as a graphic element underscores the legacy that is the foundation and guiding force of The Duke Endowment. The logo reflects the singular achievements of James B. Duke, and the accomplishments of the Endowment he established.
Governed by a board of trustees, Endowment staff conduct grantmaking according to guidelines in Mr. Duke's original Indenture of Trust (pdf), a legal document that remains relevant and timely after more than 80 years. In November 2011, Trustees approved six Guiding Principles for our work.
Our Work
The Endowment has awarded more than $3.7 billion in grants since its inception, including over $1.5 billion to Duke University. With assets of $3.69 billion in 2017, 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.
In addition to grantmaking work in four program areas, the Endowment shares its knowledge by publishing resources for grantees and other service organizations, including information about what we're learning from our work in various publications, reports and evaluations. We also operate a fellowship program to cultivate emerging leaders in philanthropy.
The Duke Endowment Supports
The Duke Name
James B. Duke and his family were innovative business leaders and visionary philanthropists. While distinct and independent, many organizations bear the Duke name.
The Duke Endowment
A private foundation created in 1924 by James B. Duke as his philanthropic legacy.
Duke University
Named after the same family, with its own endowment. Duke University has received nearly $1.5 billion in grants from The Duke Endowment.
Duke Energy
Also founded by James B. Duke, now a widely-held public company.
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
Founded by the daughter of James B. Duke as a separate private foundation supporting the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research and the prevention of child maltreatment.
Duke Farms
The 2,700-acre estate in Hillsborough, N.J., developed by James B. Duke, bequeathed to his daughter Doris and now owned and supported by the Duke Farms Foundation, an operating foundation of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
Duke Mansion
Built in 1915, this Charlotte, N.C., mansion was tripled in size by its most famous owner, James B. Duke. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is now operated as a nonprofit with all proceeds being used to preserve and protect this community treasure.
Duke Homestead
A restored historic site, this living museum features the home, factories and farm where Washington Duke first grew and processed tobacco. The site offers special programs and activities that demonstrate early tobacco farming and processing techniques. The homestead is operated by North Carolina Historic Sites, a division of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources Office of Archives and History.
Investments
Since James B. Duke’s death in 1925, the assets of The Duke Endowment have achieved significant growth, from $107 million to $3.69 billion. During the same time, over $3.7 billion has been distributed in grants.
Assets of The Duke Endowment are managed by DUMAC, Inc., a professionally-staffed investment organization governed by Duke University.
During 2017, the investment return on the Endowment’s portfolio was 11.8 percent. Investment performance benefited from increases in global equity, hedged strategies, private investments, commodities and fixed income. Impacted by investment returns, grants and expenses, the Endowment’s assets increased in value from $3.37 billion to $3.69 billion from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017.
For the 10-year period ending December 31, 2017, the Endowment’s investment portfolio, net of fees, returned 5.9 percent annualized, outperforming its policy benchmark by 2.0 percentage points and a 70 percent MSCI All Country World Index/30 percent Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index benchmark by 1.1 percentage points annualized over the same period.
Investment Returns (percent)
Total Assets (in $ billions)
Grants and Expenses
Over 80 percent of the Endowment’s total spending goes directly to grantmaking. This compares favorably to foundations of similar size. The chart below shows our grantmaking in the context of other spending. This grantmaking volume depends on our ability to invest assets wisely. View additional information in the 2017 Annual Financials Statement (pdf) or contact us to request further details.
