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Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$103.0M
Grant Range
$100K - $1.0M
Decision Time
2mo
Success Rate
5%

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $103 million
  • Success Rate: Highly competitive (exact percentage not publicly disclosed)
  • Decision Time: 2 business days after decision meeting
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily United States (with limited African health initiatives)

Contact Details

Overview

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation was established in 1996 from the estate of tobacco heiress and philanthropist Doris Duke, awarding its first grants in 1997. With assets exceeding $2 billion, the foundation distributes approximately $103 million annually across 350+ grants. 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. Led by President and CEO Sam Gill since 2020, the foundation takes a proactive, relationship-driven approach to grantmaking, with most grants awarded by invitation rather than through open competitions. Multi-year grants typically range from $100,000 to $1 million. The foundation reincorporated under EIN 82-3691183 in 2019.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Performing Arts Program

  • Doris Duke Artist Awards: $525,000 over seven years plus retirement incentives for exceptional achievement in dance, jazz and theater
  • Performing Arts Technologies Lab: Accelerator for arts projects exploring innovative digital technology
  • General performing arts grants: $100,000 - $1,000,000 (multi-year)
  • Application method: Primarily by invitation, with occasional open competitions

Medical Research Program

  • Clinical research grants for disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment
  • Grant range: $100,000 - $1,000,000 (multi-year)
  • Highly competitive awards requiring outstanding research plans, mentors and institutional support
  • Application method: Specific programs and RFPs; invitation-based

Environment Program

  • Climate-smart forest management
  • Indigenous-led conservation initiatives
  • Nature-based climate solutions
  • Conservation financing mechanisms
  • Grant range: $100,000 - $1,000,000 (multi-year)
  • Application method: Primarily invitation-based, occasional RFPs

Child Well-being Program

  • Prevention-oriented child welfare systems
  • Family support to prevent child abuse and neglect
  • Material support and economic mobility for families
  • Grant range: $100,000 - $1,000,000 (multi-year)
  • Application method: Primarily invitation-based

Building Bridges Program

  • U.S. Muslim storytelling and narrative change
  • Building Bridges Fellowship: $10,000 unrestricted artist grants plus professional development
  • Documentary funding through partner organizations
  • Approximately $48 million allocated since 2007
  • Application method: Through partner organizations like Sundance Institute and Islamic Scholarship Fund

Priority Areas

  • Performing Arts: Contemporary dance, jazz, theater and multi-disciplinary work by individual artists
  • Environmental Conservation: Climate adaptation, Indigenous conservation leadership, urban forest equity, biodiversity protection
  • Medical Research: Clinical research for disease prevention and treatment (no animal testing per Doris Duke's will)
  • Child Well-being: Prevention-focused child welfare, family economic support, access to health and education resources
  • Building Bridges: Countering anti-Muslim sentiment through storytelling and community connections

What They Don't Fund

Arts Program Exclusions:

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

Medical Research Restriction:

  • Projects using animals in research (specified in Doris Duke's will)

General Exclusions:

  • International organizations (U.S. 501(c)(3) status required)
  • Non-charitable organizations
  • Individuals (except through specific artist award programs)

Governance and Leadership

Sam Gill, President and CEO - Joined the foundation in 2020, bringing strategic acumen and partnership-building expertise. Gill emphasizes that "foundations have a responsibility to become subject-matter experts with a definite point of view" and advocates for funders taking an active role in their fields rather than simply distributing money without engagement. He advises organizations to demonstrate deep understanding of their field and how their work advances broader systems or practices.

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Vice Chairperson - Former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, brings extensive medical research expertise to foundation leadership.

Peter Simmons, COO/Treasurer - Oversees foundation operations and financial management.

The foundation evaluates grants based on "potential for long-term impact in terms of replication, reach, visibility, or changes in the field" and looks for "opportunity to leverage additional resources as a result of DDF funding."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Most Grants Are By Invitation The foundation takes a proactive approach to grantmaking, primarily supporting organizations with which it has forged strong relationships. Grants are awarded through:

  • Foundation-initiated invitations to apply
  • Regranting competitions administered by service organizations
  • Request-for-proposal (RFP) processes
  • Occasional open competitions announced on the website

Submitting an Unsolicited Letter of Inquiry U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status may submit a Letter of Inquiry at any time if their work aligns with foundation priorities and no open application mechanism exists. However, the foundation cautions that "grants are rarely awarded this way." Organizations should:

  1. Review the relevant program webpage thoroughly to assess alignment
  2. Submit LOI through the appropriate program area
  3. Focus on demonstrating alignment with stated program goals and strategies
  4. Expect a response within two months of submission

Open Competitions Organizations can sign up for the foundation's newsletter to receive announcements about occasional open grant competitions. Recent examples include the Performing Arts Technologies Lab accelerator.

Application Portal Invited applicants receive email instructions for completing registration in the online Grantee Portal powered by GivingData.

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Response: Foundation aims to respond within 2 months of submission
  • Funding Decision: Once a proposal is complete, the foundation makes and communicates a funding decision within 2 business days of their decision meeting
  • Grant Agreement: Prepared and sent promptly after approval
  • Initial Payment: Processed within 5 business days of receiving signed agreement
  • General Communication: Foundation replies to emails and returns phone calls within 3 business days

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose overall success rates. However:

  • In 2023, DDCF awarded 351 grants totaling $103 million
  • Most grants are awarded by invitation, indicating high selectivity
  • Medical research awards are described as "highly competitive"
  • Unsolicited letters of inquiry rarely result in grants
  • The predominantly invitation-based approach suggests this is a highly selective funder with success rates likely in the low single digits for unsolicited applications

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish a formal reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Given the invitation-based nature of most grantmaking, organizations interested in funding should:

  • Maintain contact with the foundation
  • Submit updated letters of inquiry when circumstances change
  • Monitor announcements for open competitions
  • Build relationships over time

No specific waiting period is stated for reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Subject-Matter Expertise: President Sam Gill emphasizes that the foundation looks for organizations with deep understanding of their field. Show how your work advances broader systems, not just your organization.

Show Leverage Potential: The foundation explicitly evaluates "opportunity to leverage additional resources as a result of DDF funding." Demonstrate how foundation support can catalyze additional funding or partnerships.

Emphasize Long-Term Impact: Focus on "potential for long-term impact in terms of replication, reach, visibility, or changes in the field" rather than short-term outputs. Show how your work could influence broader practices.

Align With Current Priorities: Recent grants show emphasis on:

  • Arts: Digital technology innovation, artist financial security, career sustainability
  • Environment: Indigenous leadership, climate adaptation, urban equity, collaborative conservation
  • Medical Research: Clinical translation, early-career researcher support, disease prevention
  • Child Well-being: Prevention before intervention, material support for families, systems change
  • Building Bridges: Muslim storytelling, narrative change, fellowship models

Build Relationships Over Time: With most grants by invitation, developing relationships with program officers is critical. The foundation states they "mainly take a proactive approach to grantmaking, supporting organizations with which it has forged strong relationships."

Multi-Year Thinking: The foundation "generally awards multi-year grants," so proposals should articulate sustained work rather than one-time projects.

Recent Grant Examples to Study:

  • OPT-In for Families (testing child welfare alternatives)
  • Rx Kids (material support impact in Flint, Michigan)
  • Building Bridges Fellowship (Muslim filmmaker support through Sundance)
  • Conservation Loan Collaborative (financing mechanism for land protection)
  • Nature Positive Hub (NYC Climate Week sponsorship)

Avoid Common Pitfalls:

  • Don't submit if you don't have U.S. 501(c)(3) status
  • Don't apply for excluded program areas (visual arts, animal research, etc.)
  • Don't expect meetings before being invited to apply
  • Don't submit generic proposals—show specific alignment with program strategies

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-based model dominates: Most grants come through proactive outreach by the foundation. Building long-term relationships and visibility in your field is essential for getting on their radar.

  • Multi-year, substantial grants: At $100,000-$1,000,000 over multiple years, these are significant commitments. Proposals must demonstrate organizational capacity for sustained, high-impact work.

  • Strategic alignment is critical: President Sam Gill's philosophy emphasizes subject-matter expertise and definite points of view. Show how your work advances field-level change, not just organizational goals.

  • Leverage matters: Explicitly address how DDCF funding will catalyze additional resources, partnerships or systemic influence. The foundation wants to see its investment multiply.

  • Fast decisions once invited: While getting invited may take relationship-building, once you're in the process, decisions come within 2 business days of meetings and payments within 5 business days.

  • Unsolicited applications rarely succeed: Submit letters of inquiry strategically, but recognize that building field reputation and connections is likely more productive than cold applications.

  • Monitor for open competitions: Occasional RFPs and competitions provide entry points for organizations without existing relationships. Newsletter signup is essential for catching these opportunities.

References

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