Applying for Grants

Higher Education

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The Duke Endowment's new grant application and submission process is designed to clearly communicate our strategies and guidelines, ultimately helping grantees submit more effective applications.

The new grant submission process includes six steps:

STEP 1. Determine eligibility of your school.
STEP 2. Identify grant application deadlines
STEP 3. Select the application that best matches your programs objectives.
STEP 4. Complete application using online resources.
STEP 5. Submit application and supporting materials.
STEP 6. Receive notification of application submission.

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STEP 1. Determine eligibility of your school.

Higher Education Grants are limited to the following North Carolina and South Carolina institutions: 

• Davidson College - Davidson, North Carolina
• Duke University - Durham, North Carolina
• Furman University - Greenville, South Carolina
• Johnson C. Smith University - Charlotte, North Carolina

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STEP 2. Identify grant application deadlines.

The Trustees of The Duke Endowment meet to review Higher Education grant applications once a year. Applications must be received on or before November 15 for consideration at the May meeting.

Upon receipt of your application, a program officer will contact you to coordinate a formal review of your request.

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STEP 3. Select the application that best matches your project objectives.

The Endowment applies its resources according to three broad strategies; to receive funding, programs must support one of the following:

Improving Lives grants reflect the value we place on proven programs and strategies that support local communities and vulnerable residents, or that directly improve individual students' lives.

Strengthening Organizations grants reflect our commitment to investing in building the infrastructure of four select colleges and universities. In our efforts to improve facilities, systems, management and operations, we are particularly interested in supporting programs that show great promise for long-term gains.

Advancing Innovation grants reflect our investment in programs that strive to outperform existing models. Virtually any challenge or opportunity related to stronger achievement of the school's mission is relevant to innovation.

Please note that many programs in Higher Education are anticipated to fall within the area of Strengthening Organizations. For more information, review our Grantmaking strategy overview.

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STEP 4. Complete application

Once you've determined which application best matches your proposed program, download it, review the corresponding guide, sample application and sample budget. Each will provide information important for framing your application responses and budget proposal. Complete and comprehensive applications increase the likelihood that a program will receive Endowment funding.

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STEP 5. Submit application and supporting materials.

Please submit all documents electronically if possible. Documents may be mailed as hard copies if necessary. To submit electronically:

• Send to Susan McConnell, Higher Education Program Officer, smcconnell@tde.org
• Include your organization's name in the subject line.

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STEP 6. Receive notification of application submission.

The Duke Endowment will acknowledge receipt of your application.

Contact us if you have any eligibility questions, if you're not sure which funding strategy your program supports, or if you would like to discuss other details.