The Duke Endowment

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Applying for Grants

Health Care


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


STEP 1. Determine eligibility of your organization.

The following North Carolina and South Carolina organizations are eligible to apply for Health Care grants: 
  • Not-for-profit hospitals
  • Academic health centers
  • Health education centers
  • Select health organizations in counties without an eligible hospital
If you have a question about your organization's eligibility, please contact a Health Care program officer.


STEP 2. Identify grant application deadlines.

The Trustees of the Duke Endowment meet to review Health Care grant applications two times per year - in June and November. Applications must be received on or before the following dates: 
  • June 15 for consideration at the November meeting 
  • December 15 for consideration at the June meeting
Upon receipt of your application, a program officer will contact your organization to coordinate a formal review of your request.


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

Programs and capital projects must support one of three funding strategies:

Improving Lives grants reflect the value we place on proven programs and strategies that address access to equitable and quality health care.

Strengthening Organizations grants reflect our commitment to investing in building the infrastructure of effective enterprises and institutions. In our efforts to improve health care facilities, systems, management and operations, we are particularly interested in supporting opportunities that show great promise for long-term gains.

Advancing Innovation grants reflect our investment in projects that advance innovation when high-achieving, successful models for supporting hospitals and health care providers are lacking.

For more information, review our Grantmaking Strategies overview.


STEP 4. Complete application.

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


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 Ronda Dwyer, Senior Administrative Assistant of Health Care, rdwyer@tde.org
  • Include your organization's name in the subject line.


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 project supports, or if you would like to discuss other details of your project.