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Bruce and Deborah Duncan Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.2M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.5M

Bruce and Deborah Duncan Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,190,000 (2024)
  • Number of Grants: 45 awards (2024)
  • Average Grant Size: ~$26,000
  • Typical Grant Range: $10,000 - $50,000 (with larger grants to select institutions)
  • Geographic Focus: Naples, FL; Chicago, IL; Nantucket, MA
  • Foundation Assets: $39 million
  • Foundation Type: Private Independent Foundation
  • EIN: 20-3871657

Contact Details

Address: 1285 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Suite 3A, Naples, FL 34102

Phone: (312) 337-9633

Key Contact: Bruce W. Duncan, President

Application Method: No standardized forms required - submit a letter requesting a contribution

Note: There are no submission deadlines; applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Overview

The Bruce and Deborah Duncan Foundation was established in 2005 in Illinois and is now based in Naples, Florida. With assets of $39 million and annual giving of approximately $1.2 million, the foundation supports charitable, scientific, religious, and educational organizations across three primary geographic regions: Naples, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Nantucket, Massachusetts. The foundation is led by Bruce W. Duncan, a prominent real estate executive with an extensive career including leadership roles at First Industrial Realty Trust, CyrusOne, Equity Residential, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts. A 1973 graduate of Kenyon College and former trustee of the institution, Duncan brings a strong commitment to education, healthcare, arts and culture, and community development. The foundation operates with a streamlined application process, accepting simple letter requests without standardized forms or deadlines, reflecting a personal and relationship-based approach to philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific names or application cycles. Instead, it considers requests on a rolling basis through letter submissions. Grant amounts typically range from $10,000 to $50,000, with an average grant size of approximately $26,000. Larger grants (up to $540,000) have been awarded to institutions with strong personal connections to the founders, such as Kenyon College.

Priority Areas

The foundation supports organizations across multiple sectors:

  • Education: Strong emphasis given Bruce Duncan's connection to Kenyon College and the University of Chicago; supports educational excellence and scholarship opportunities
  • Healthcare: Focus on quality healthcare access, medical research, and improving community wellbeing; connection to Rush University Medical Center in Chicago
  • Arts and Culture: Support for music, voice, dance, arts, museums, and cultural educational programs; documented support for Artis-Naples
  • Human Services: Community organizations addressing basic needs; documented support for Harry Chapin Food Bank
  • Youth Development: Programs serving young people in the foundation's geographic focus areas
  • Community Development: Organizations working to improve aspects of the communities in Naples, FL; Chicago, IL; and Nantucket, MA

Notable Recent Grant Recipients (2024)

  • Kenyon College: $540,000 (Bruce Duncan's alma mater)
  • The Heritage Foundation: $500,000
  • Artis-Naples: $50,000 (arts and culture)
  • Harry Chapin Food Bank: $50,000 (food security)
  • NCH Center for Philanthropy: $25,000 (healthcare/community)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation limits its support to organizations that qualify as charitable, scientific, religious, or educational under Internal Revenue Code Section 170(c). Organizations outside the three geographic focus areas (Naples, FL; Chicago, IL; Nantucket, MA) are unlikely to receive consideration unless they have a specific connection to the founders' interests or network.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership

Bruce W. Duncan - President

  • BA in Economics, Kenyon College (Class of 1973); Honorary Degree from Kenyon (2005)
  • MBA in Finance, University of Chicago
  • Former President and CEO of First Industrial Realty Trust (2009-2016)
  • Former CEO of CyrusOne Inc. (2020-2021)
  • Life Trustee, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
  • Former trustee, Kenyon College
  • Over 30 years of real estate management and investment experience, including leadership roles at Cadillac Fairview Corp., Equity Residential, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Deborah E. Duncan - Vice President

Family Connection to Kenyon College

The Robert Campbell Duncan Scholarship Fund was established in 1987 in memory of Robert Campbell Duncan (Bruce's father) by his wife Betty, his son Bruce W. Duncan, and friends of the family. The scholarship supports students of economics and chemistry at Kenyon College, reflecting the family's long-standing commitment to education.

Compensation

According to 990 filings, neither Bruce W. Duncan nor Deborah E. Duncan receive compensation for their roles in the foundation, demonstrating their philanthropic commitment.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Bruce and Deborah Duncan Foundation maintains a simple, streamlined application process:

  • No standardized application forms are required
  • A letter requesting a contribution is sufficient
  • Letters should be addressed to Bruce W. Duncan, President
  • Mail to: 1285 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Suite 3A, Naples, FL 34102
  • Phone inquiries: (312) 337-9633

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations must qualify as charitable, scientific, religious, or educational as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 170(c). Organizations should be located in or primarily serve one of the foundation's three geographic focus areas: Naples, FL; Chicago, IL; or Nantucket, MA.

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on a rolling basis with no fixed submission deadlines. Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed, but the foundation's streamlined structure suggests relatively quick review compared to larger foundations with formal application cycles. With 45-51 grants made annually, the foundation reviews and approves approximately 4 grants per month on average.

Success Rates

With 45 grants awarded in 2024 and 51 in 2023, the foundation maintains an active grant-making schedule. Success rates are not publicly disclosed, but the relatively small number of annual grants (compared to the potential number of eligible organizations in three geographic areas) suggests selective funding. The foundation appears to favor organizations with strong missions, demonstrated community impact, and potential connections to the founders' interests and network.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented. Organizations that have received funding in the past appear among recent grant recipients, suggesting that previous grantees can apply for continued support.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment is Critical

Organizations located in or serving Naples, FL; Chicago, IL; or Nantucket, MA have the strongest chance of funding. The foundation's focus on these three communities reflects the personal connections of Bruce and Deborah Duncan to these areas.

Personal Connections Matter

The foundation's largest grants have gone to institutions with direct connections to Bruce Duncan: Kenyon College (his alma mater where he served as trustee), Rush University Medical Center (where he serves as Life Trustee), and organizations in Chicago (where he built his real estate career and earned his MBA). Organizations with board members or supporters who can make warm introductions may have an advantage.

Demonstrate Community Impact

Given the foundation's stated purpose to "make grants to qualified agencies that engage in activities that will improve some aspect of the community," applications should clearly articulate how the requested funding will create measurable improvements in one of the foundation's geographic focus areas.

Focus on Core Mission Areas

Organizations working in education, healthcare, arts and culture, or human services align best with the foundation's documented giving patterns. Highlight how your work fits within these priority areas.

Right-Size Your Request

With an average grant of approximately $26,000 and most grants appearing to fall in the $10,000-$50,000 range, requests within this range are most likely to be considered. Larger requests may be appropriate for organizations with very strong connections to the founders or transformational projects, but should be well-justified.

Keep It Simple and Clear

Since the foundation accepts letter requests rather than formal applications, write a compelling, concise letter that covers: your organization's mission, the specific project or need requiring funding, the community impact, the requested amount, and why the Bruce and Deborah Duncan Foundation is an ideal partner for this work.

Emphasize Excellence and Quality

Bruce Duncan's background in leading major public companies and his educational pedigree suggest an appreciation for excellence, strategic thinking, and quality outcomes. Applications should demonstrate high standards, sound management, and clear metrics for success.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Simple application process: No forms, no deadlines - just submit a well-written letter requesting support
  • Geographic focus is essential: Limit applications to organizations serving Naples, FL; Chicago, IL; or Nantucket, MA
  • Personal connections to founders help: Organizations linked to Kenyon College, University of Chicago, Rush University Medical Center, or Bruce Duncan's professional network have secured major grants
  • Average grant is ~$26,000: Most requests should fall in the $10,000-$50,000 range; larger requests may be considered for special circumstances
  • Broad interests with specific focus: The foundation supports education, healthcare, arts/culture, and human services - identify which category best fits your work
  • Private family foundation: With Bruce and Deborah Duncan as the sole officers receiving no compensation, this is a deeply personal philanthropic vehicle reflecting their values and connections
  • Consistent grantmaking: With 45-51 grants annually, the foundation maintains steady support for community organizations across its three focus areas

References

  1. Grantmakers.io - Bruce and Deborah Duncan Foundation Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/203871657-bruce-and-deborah-duncan-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)

  2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Bruce And Deborah Duncan Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/203871657 (Accessed January 2026)

  3. Instrumentl - Bruce And Deborah Duncan Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/bruce-and-deborah-duncan-foundation (Accessed January 2026)

  4. Cause IQ - Bruce and Deborah Duncan Foundation. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/duncan-family-foundation,203871657/ (Accessed January 2026)

  5. GrantStation - Bruce and Deborah Duncan Foundation. https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/bruce-and-deborah-duncan-foundation (Accessed January 2026)

  6. BXP Investors - Bruce Duncan Board Member Profile. https://investors.bxp.com/board-member/bruce-duncan (Accessed January 2026)

  7. First Industrial Realty Trust - Press Release on Bruce W. Duncan Leadership. https://investor.firstindustrial.com/news-releases/news-release-details/first-industrial-names-bruce-w-duncan-president-and-chief (Accessed January 2026)

  8. Kenyon College - Donor Relations, Scholarships. https://www.kenyon.edu/give-to-kenyon/donor-relations/scholarships/d (Accessed January 2026)

  9. World Biographical Encyclopedia - Bruce W. Duncan Profile. https://prabook.com/web/bruce_w.duncan/38944 (Accessed January 2026)

  10. Nareit - New CyrusOne CEO Bruce Duncan Brings a Fresh Vision. https://www.reit.com/news/reit-magazine/january-february-2021/new-cyrusone-ceo-bruce-duncan-brings-fresh-vision (Accessed January 2026)

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