Doris Duke Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $103 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Varies by program
• Grant Range: $100,000 - $1,000,000
• Geographic Focus: National (United States)

Contact Details

Website: www.ddcf.org Email: info@ddcf.org Phone: 212-974-7000 Address: 650 Fifth Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10019 Grants Inquiries: grants@dorisduke.org Grantee Portal: dorisduke.givingdata.com/portal (for invited applicants)

Overview

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) is a U.S.-based philanthropic organization established in 1996 following the death of billionaire heiress Doris Duke, who left the bulk of her $1.2 billion fortune to support charitable causes. During her lifetime, Duke gave away an estimated $400 million, often anonymously. Since 1997, the foundation has approved grants totaling approximately $1.5 billion and is currently endowed with over $2 billion in assets. The foundation's mission is to build a more creative, equitable, and sustainable future by investing in artists and the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research, child well-being, and greater mutual understanding among diverse communities. In 2023, DDCF awarded 351 grants totaling $103 million. Under President and CEO Sam Gill's leadership since 2021, the foundation has emphasized supporting the whole artist, advancing equity across all programs, and taking strategic positions as subject-matter experts in their funding areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Performing Arts

• Artist Awards: $525,000 in unrestricted funds plus up to $25,000 retirement incentive (biennial)
• Performing Arts Technologies Lab: Grants for innovative digital technology projects in dance, jazz, and theater
• General Performing Arts Grants: $100,000 - $1,000,000 for multi-year support to contemporary dance, jazz, and theater artists and organizations
• Application Method: Primarily by invitation; occasional open competitions

Medical Research

• Clinical Scientist Development Awards (CSDA): $495,000 over three years ($150,000 annual direct costs + 10% indirect costs)
• Fund to Retain Clinical Scientists: Support for early-career physician-scientists with caregiving responsibilities
• Application Method: Annual competition through institutional nomination
• Since 1998, the foundation has awarded more than $152 million in Clinical Scientist Development Awards

Environment

• Climate-Smart Forests: Grants ranging from $100,000 - $1,000,000 for forest protection, reforestation, and climate-adapted stewardship
• Indigenous-Led Conservation: Support for tribal-led conservation initiatives
• Conservation Implementation: Multi-year grants for land conservation and biodiversity protection
• Application Method: Primarily by invitation; occasional open competitions

Child Well-Being

• Prevention-Oriented Child Welfare: $100,000 - $1,000,000 for local and regional organizations working to prevent child maltreatment
• Focus Populations: Native communities and youth in or transitioning out of foster care
• Application Method: By invitation only; unsolicited letters of inquiry rarely funded

Building Bridges

• Muslim Storytelling Grants: Support for U.S. nonprofit organizations uplifting Muslim narratives across arts and entertainment
• Building Bridges Fellowship: Three-year fellowships for filmmakers (administered through Sundance Institute)
• Documentary Support: Grants to organizations like CAAM for U.S. Muslim Documentary Fund
• Over $46 million allocated since program launch in 2007

Priority Areas

Performing Arts:

• Contemporary dance companies and choreographers
• Jazz musicians and ensembles
• Theater artists and companies
• Flexible multi-year funding to support artistic development
• Innovation in performing arts technology

Medical Research:

• Early-career physician-scientists transitioning to independent research careers
• Clinical research (no animal research permitted per Doris Duke's will)
• Supportive mentoring and institutional environments
• Research time protection (75% dedicated research time)

Environment:

• Forest natural climate solutions to achieve transformative impact by 2050
• Land conservation advancing equity for Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities
• Climate change mitigation and biodiversity protection
• Indigenous sovereignty over ancestral lands

Child Well-Being:

• Preventative approaches addressing family needs before maltreatment occurs
• Systems change in child welfare
• Support for historically marginalized communities
• Youth transitioning from foster care

Building Bridges:

• Elevating U.S. Muslim voices and perspectives
• Cross-cultural understanding and community building
• Documentary film and storytelling across various art forms

What They Don't Fund

Performing Arts Exclusions:

• Visual arts, museums, or galleries
• Film or media projects (except through Building Bridges)
• Literary arts
• Symphonies, opera companies, classical chamber music, or musical forms beyond jazz
• Classical ballet companies
• Avocational arts activities
• Arts programs for rehabilitative or therapeutic purposes
• Arts education or training/conservatory programs
• Capital projects
• Research or publications (in arts)

Medical Research Exclusions:

• Research using animals or tissues derived from animals, including cell lines (per Doris Duke's will)

Child Well-Being Exclusions:

• Treatment programs or trauma services for victims
• Projects focused solely on childhood sexual abuse
• Prevention of bullying in schools and/or cyberbullying
• Self-protection or conflict resolution programs for children
• Programs related to protecting children from internet predators or human trafficking

General Exclusions:

• Most unsolicited proposals (grants rarely awarded through letters of inquiry)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Peter A. Nadosy - Chair Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. - Vice Chair

Board Members:

• Afsaneh Beschloss
• Mary Schmidt Campbell
• Vishakha N. Desai
• Clive Gillinson
• Edward P. Henry (ex-officio)
• Nannerl O. Keohane
• Marie Lynn Miranda
• Angela K. Mwanza
• William H. Wright II

Recent Appointments:

• Brooke Jones (September 2023) - First Chief Investment Officer at Bryn Mawr College, experienced in philanthropic investments
• JT Batson (December 2022) - CEO and Secretary General of U.S. Soccer Federation

Executive Leadership

Sam Gill - President and CEO (since April 2021)

Prior to joining DDCF, Sam Gill served as senior vice president and chief program officer at the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Board Chairman William H. Wright II described Gill as "a smart and compassionate leader" whose "leadership trajectory has been marked by strong strategic acumen, clear and compelling communication skills, and an ability to drive effective partnerships."

Leadership Quotes

Sam Gill on Supporting Artists: "That the whole artist needs to thrive in order for our society to obtain the greatest possible benefit of the creativity and vision that artists are offering to us."

Sam Gill on Foundation Accountability: "Because foundations aren't accountable to voters or the broader public, they have a responsibility to become subject-matter experts with a definite point of view."

Sam Gill on Medical Research Innovation: "We are inviting you, exhorting you, to be the Vannevar Bushes of today. To look up and out over the long arc of time, to ask what kind of science we need—not just for today, but for tomorrow."

Sam Gill on Mission: "Doris Duke's vision and values are more relevant than ever, and I am humbled and excited to be part of the next chapter in honoring and extending Duke's inspiring legacy."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Unsolicited Proposals (Letter of Inquiry):

• Available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Submit through the foundation's website to the appropriate program area
• Must align with stated funding priorities
• Note: Grants are rarely awarded through unsolicited letters of inquiry
• The foundation takes a proactive approach, supporting organizations with which it has forged strong relationships

For Invited Proposals:

• Foundation uses GivingData Grantee Portal (dorisduke.givingdata.com/portal)
• Invited applicants receive email with registration and submission instructions
• Complete proposal submission through online portal

For Open Competitions:

• Monitor foundation website and sign up for email newsletter for announcements
• Recent examples: Performing Arts Technologies Lab (745 applications received in 2024)
• Application windows are time-limited when competitions open

Medical Research CSDA Applications:

• Institutional nomination required
• Applications accepted annually with specific deadlines
• Must be submitted by eligible U.S. academic institutions

Decision Timeline

Typical Process:

• Decision timelines vary significantly by program and funding mechanism
• Invited proposals are reviewed by DDCF staff and approved by Board of Trustees
• Questions submitted by email are answered within two business days
• No specific decision timeline publicly disclosed for general grant applications

Medical Research CSDA:

• Annual competition with set review periods
• Highly competitive process with institutional vetting

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose overall success rates. However, specific data points include:

2023 Grantmaking:

• 351 awards made
• Total giving: $103 million
• Most grants by invitation rather than open application

Performing Arts Technologies Lab (2024):

• 745 applications received
• 20 grants awarded
• Success rate: approximately 2.7%

Medical Research Context: "The award is highly competitive and successful applicants have outstanding research plans, mentors and institutional support to facilitate the transition to independent research funding."

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish a formal reapplication policy for unsuccessful grant applicants. Given that most grants are awarded by invitation and the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with grantees, interested organizations should:

• Continue to align work with foundation priorities
• Sign up for email updates to learn about new opportunities
• Build relationships within the field and with foundation program officers
• Consider submitting a new letter of inquiry if organizational work evolves to better match funding priorities

Application Success Factors

Key Evaluation Criteria

When reviewing proposals, the foundation considers:

1. Strategic Alignment: Is the project designed to achieve both the objectives of the applicant organization and the program goals of the foundation?

2. Long-term Impact: What is the project's potential for long-term impact in terms of replication, reach, visibility, or changes in the field?

3. Organizational Capacity: Does the applicant organization have the capacity to effectively execute the project?

4. Leverage Opportunity: What opportunity exists to leverage additional resources as a result of DDF funding?

For Medical Research Applicants

Successful Clinical Scientist Development Award applicants demonstrate:

• Outstanding research plans
• Exceptional mentors and mentoring plans
• Strong institutional support to facilitate transition to independent research funding
• Supportive institutional environment critical to building successful research careers
• No use of animals or animal-derived materials (per foundation requirement)

Recent Funded Projects (2024 Examples)

Performing Arts:

• 2024 Artist Awards to Nataki Garrett (theater), Shamel Pitts (dance), Acosia Red Elk (dance), esperanza spalding (jazz), Chay Yew (theater), and Miguel Zenón (jazz)
• Alaska Native Heritage Center - Using motion capture technology for Yuraq dance preservation
• ChromaDiverse, Inc. - CD SmartCapture™ software for digitizing dance company archives
• Ballet Hispánico - Innovación Fellowship in Dance & Emergent Technology with Cornell Tech

Environment:

• Tribal capacity building for conservation easements ($400,000)
• Nature Positive Hub at NYC Climate Week 2024
• Conservation Loan Collaborative launch support

Building Bridges:

• $4.5 million to CAAM for U.S. Muslim Documentary Fund
• $1 million to Sundance Institute for Building Bridges Fellowship and Completion Fund

Child Well-Being:

• Kentucky Division of Prevention and Community Wellbeing
• Oregon Department of Human Services
• South Carolina Department of Social Services
• Safe & Sound (San Francisco)
• National Center for Youth Law
• Foster America

Strategic Guidance for Applicants

Relationship Building:

• The foundation emphasizes long-term partnerships over transactional grantmaking
• Grantseekers should "sign up for the foundation's email updates, as things can change fairly quickly"
• The foundation "mainly takes a proactive approach to grantmaking, supporting organizations with which it has forged strong relationships"

Communication:

• Do not call; submit inquiries via email
• Questions answered within two business days
• Be specific about how your work aligns with current program strategies

Equity and Inclusion:

• All programs emphasize equity, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities
• Projects should demonstrate commitment to advancing equity in their field

Multi-Year Vision:

• The foundation prefers multi-year grants ($100,000 - $1,000,000 typically)
• Demonstrate sustainable impact beyond the grant period
• Show potential for field-wide influence or systems change

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Most grants are by invitation: While the foundation accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry, grants are rarely awarded this way. Focus on building field relationships and demonstrating excellence in your work to get on the foundation's radar.

• Multi-year, flexible funding model: DDCF typically awards grants ranging from $100,000 to $1 million over multiple years, allowing for sustained impact rather than short-term projects.

• Equity is central, not peripheral: All five program areas emphasize advancing equity, particularly for communities that identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Applications must demonstrate genuine commitment to equity, not just mention it.

• Field expertise matters: Sam Gill's leadership philosophy emphasizes that "foundations have a responsibility to become subject-matter experts with a definite point of view." Show deep understanding of your field and how your work advances it.

• Think systems change, not just direct service: The foundation evaluates "potential for long-term impact in terms of replication, reach, visibility, or changes in the field." Demonstrate how your work could influence broader systems or practices.

• Leverage and sustainability count: DDCF looks for "opportunity to leverage additional resources as a result of DDF funding." Show how foundation support can catalyze additional funding or partnerships.

• Monitor for open competitions: While most funding is by invitation, the foundation occasionally runs open competitions (like the 2024 Performing Arts Technologies Lab). Sign up for email updates to catch these opportunities.

• For medical research, institutional support is critical: CSDA applications require institutional nomination and "supportive mentoring and institutional environment being critical to building successful careers in research."

• No animal research allowed: A unique restriction stemming from Doris Duke's will—medical research grants cannot support experiments using animals or animal-derived tissues, including cell lines.

• Current strategic priorities: Climate-Smart Forests (environment), Prevention-Oriented Child Welfare (child well-being), Muslim storytelling (Building Bridges), and supporting the "whole artist" (performing arts) reflect current program directions.

References

1. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation - Official Website. "Who We Are." https://www.dorisduke.org/who-we-are/ (Accessed November 2024)

2. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "Our Mission & Values." https://www.ddcf.org/about-us/mission-and-history/ (Accessed November 2024)

3. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "Our Funding Process." https://www.dorisduke.org/grants/our-funding-process/ (Accessed November 2024)

4. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "Funding Areas." https://www.dorisduke.org/funding-areas/ (Accessed November 2024)

5. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "Board of Trustees." https://www.dorisduke.org/who-we-are/our-people/board-of-trustees/ (Accessed November 2024)

6. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "Staff - Sam Gill." https://www.dorisduke.org/who-we-are/our-people/staff/sam-gill/ (Accessed November 2024)

7. Philanthropy News Digest. "Sam Gill, President, Doris Duke Foundation: Supporting the whole artist and making pluralism work." https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/features/newsmakers/sam-gill-president-doris-duke-foundation-supporting-the-whole-artist-and-making-pluralism-work (Accessed November 2024)

8. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "Clinical Scientist Development Awards." https://www.dorisduke.org/funding-areas/medical-research/clinical-scientist-development-award/ (Accessed November 2024)

9. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "Performing Arts Technologies Lab." https://www.dorisduke.org/funding-areas/performing-arts/technologies-lab/ (Accessed November 2024)

10. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "Child Well-Being." https://www.dorisduke.org/funding-areas/child-well-being/ (Accessed November 2024)

11. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "Building Bridges." https://www.dorisduke.org/funding-areas/building-bridges/ (Accessed November 2024)

12. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "Environment - Climate." https://www.dorisduke.org/funding-areas/environment/climate/ (Accessed November 2024)

13. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "What We've Funded." https://www.dorisduke.org/grants/what-weve-funded/ (Accessed November 2024)

14. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "Financials." https://www.dorisduke.org/who-we-are/financials--governance/financials/ (Accessed November 2024)

15. Inside Philanthropy. "Doris Duke Foundation." https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-d/doris-duke-charitable-foundation (Accessed November 2024)

16. InfluenceWatch. "Doris Duke Charitable Foundation." https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/doris-duke-charitable-foundation/ (Accessed November 2024)

17. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "Doris Duke Foundation Announces 2024 Artist Awards for Exceptional Achievement in Dance, Jazz and Theater." https://www.dorisduke.org/news--insights/articles/doris-duke-foundation-announces-2024-artist-awards-for-excptional-achievement-in-dance-jazz-and-theater/ (Accessed November 2024)

18. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "Doris Duke Foundation Announces Grants to 20 Innovative Theater, Jazz, Contemporary Dance and Multi-Disciplinary Projects Through Its Inaugural Performing Arts Technologies Lab." https://www.dorisduke.org/news--insights/articles/doris-duke-foundation-announces-grants-to-20-innovative-theater-jazz-contemporary-dance-and-multi-disciplinary-projects-through-its-inaugural-performing-arts-technologies-lab/ (Accessed November 2024)

19. Philanthropy New York. "Doris Duke Foundation Welcomes Brooke Jones to Board of Trustees." https://philanthropynewyork.org/news/doris-duke-foundation-welcomes-brooke-jones-board-trustees (Accessed November 2024)

20. Instrumentl. "Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc | 990 Report." https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/doris-duke-charitable-foundation-inc (Accessed November 2024)