history
James Buchanan “Buck” Duke was born December 23, 1856
to Washington and Artelia Roney Duke. Before James was
2 years old, his mother succumbed to typhoid fever. Five
years later, his father was drafted into military service.
When the Civil War ended in 1865, Washington Duke
returned to the family farm. Following the war’s devastation,
his only material assets were two blind mules, a storehouse
of dried tobacco and 50 cents. Washington’s most valuable
assets were his sons: Benjamin and young James.
Together, the father and sons built a family tobacco
business—the mammoth American Tobacco Company.
Long before an anti-trust decision led to the sale of
American Tobacco assets in 1911, the family started shifting
investments to textiles and hydroelectric power—a move
that led to the founding of Duke Power Company in 1905.
Through the years of growth and prosperity, the Duke
brothers worked together in business and in philanthropy.
Their sister, Mary Duke Lyon, was an early partner in the
family endeavors and encouraged the Dukes’ support of
Trinity College, the North Carolina institution that later
became Duke University.
On December 11, 1924, James B. Duke established The
Duke Endowment through an Indenture of Trust with an
initial gift of $40 million. He died just 10 months later,
leaving an additional $67 million to the Endowment.
the duke endowment
As a child, James B. Duke suffered
the loss of his mother, then lived
with his grandparents while his
father was sent off to war. His
compassion for children without
supportive families helped shape his
vision for a better world, and became
an important part of his legacy.
James B. Duke’s primary education
was intermittent and his opportunity
for higher education cut short,
but he admired and respected the
contributions of teachers, preachers,
lawyers and physicians. He believed
educating principled people in these
fields would generate individual
contributions that would, in turn,
benefit society.
thompson orphanage
johnson c. smith university
enriching lives
& communities
in the carolinas & beyond
Today touches tomorrow.
Through our work in the here
and now, we enrich lives in
the present and introduce new
possibilities for the future.
By connecting our work with
children, education, health
and faith, we hope to increase
the power of our investments
to improve social systems and
generate lasting change.
A healthy man for most of his life,
James B. Duke was profoundly
affected by the illness of others.
As a young child, he lost his beloved
mother and older brother, Sydney,
to typhoid fever. As a philanthropist,
he sought to educate physicians and
support health care in the Carolinas.
In his later years, James B. Duke
attributed his success to the early
guidance of his father and his
church. He saw country preachers
as heroes who sacrificed material
gain in this world to win souls for
the next, and chose to support
them and their churches through
his philanthropy.
spartanburg general hospital
brevard street methodist church
the duke endowment
strategic investments
Since 1924,
the duke endowment has worked to help the people and build the communities of
North Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing children, promoting health, educating minds and enriching spirits.
Our work fulfills the visionary genius and
innovative legacy of James B. Duke, one of the
great industrialists and philanthropists of the
20th century.
We focus our expertise and resources on children,
health care, higher education and rural churches
within the Carolinas, balancing direct aid in the
present with strategic investment for the future.
improving lives
In the years after his mother’s death, James B. Duke lived
with his grandparents while his father was at war. During
these years, country preachers helped the growing boy
develop a strong faith. Soon after the war, his formal
education ended and work in the family business began.
An important part of Mr. Duke’s legacy was providing
direct aid to vulnerable children, the infirm and
impoverished, deserving students and rural preachers.
Today: We invest in proven programs and strategies
that have shown marked success in improving the lives
of individuals: mentoring children, guiding families,
encouraging students, healing patients, supporting
pastors and more. We value documented results, efficient
replication of models that work, and the expanded
benefits of collaboration.
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strengthening organizations
James B. Duke came from a family of generous givers. His
father, Washington, and his brother, Benjamin, established
a family tradition of giving to Methodist churches and
higher education in their home state of North Carolina. In
establishing The Duke Endowment, James B. Duke elected
to build on this family tradition, adding hospitals and
orphanages as recipients of his philanthropy.
Today: We invest in the improvement and expansion
of select colleges, universities, hospitals, churches
and children’s service organizations. We provide
funding that supports essential operations of individual
institutions. We seek to promote best practices, identify
successful models and develop systems that enhance the
sustainability and effectiveness of organizations.
advancing innovation
During his lifetime, James B. Duke was recognized
on two continents as a shrewd investor and legendary
industrialist. His strategic pursuit of innovation
transformed two industries and built a remarkable
fortune. He achieved success in business by following
three principles: identify promising ideas, invest in
quality people and seek excellence in all endeavors.
Mr. Duke modeled The Duke Endowment on these
same principles.
Today: We direct a significant portion of our
funding toward strategic, long-term initiatives that
address widespread challenges. Working closely and
collaboratively with groups of organizations, we test
promising approaches to pressing needs. We encourage,
discover and test innovative approaches designed to
outperform existing models.
the duke endowment
nurturing children
safeguarding and developing children
For generations, the Endowment has worked to
address the needs of children who lack secure and
supportive families.
In its commitment to vulnerable children in North
Carolina and South Carolina, the Endowment has
supported orphanages, group homes and foster care,
and pioneered innovative models for engaging families
and helping young people develop as independent,
successful individuals.
Today, we partner with select nonprofits and groups
of organizations that prevent child abuse and neglect,
strengthen families, equip children with essential
skills and help teens become self-sufficient adults.
Key approaches include early intervention, collaboration
and helping organizations work more effectively.
Children represent our future.
By expanding opportunities for vulnerable
children, we hope to help them lead
successful lives as they mature.
the duke endowment
promoting health
improving health and wellness
In the provision of health care and development of hospitals
since the 1920s, the Endowment has blazed new trails of
health and healing.
In its support of health care in North Carolina and South
Carolina, Endowment funding has helped improve quality,
increase patient safety and expand access to health care
services through innovative partnerships.
Today, we focus resources on community outreach,
equitable access to quality care, prevention and wellness,
rural health and work force development. We seek to
accomplish our goals through early intervention strategies,
organizational improvement and training programs for
health care professionals.
Good health allows individuals to lead full lives.
By improving access to quality health care, we seek
to enhance the lives of individuals and the vitality
of communities in the Carolinas.
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educating minds
fostering excellence through higher education
In helping to build Duke University and providing
major support to Davidson College, Furman University
and Johnson C. Smith University, the Endowment has
transformed the educational horizon of the Carolinas.
Endowment funding has allowed the four institutions
designated by James B. Duke to construct landmark
facilities, attract talented faculty, recruit top students,
support research, encourage innovation, share best
practices and pioneer new roles for universities and
communities.
Today, we invest in scholarships, professorships and
faculty support, capital projects and maintenance, special
programs and community engagement… all with the goal
of educating people of principle and promise whose future
contributions will benefit society.
Education opens doors to the future.
By increasing access to exceptional educational
opportunities, we aspire to cultivate individual
potential and improve communities.
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enriching spirits
fortifying leadership of faith communities
In building churches and fellowship halls since 1924,
the Endowment has provided centers of valuable social
and spiritual support in North Carolina’s hardworking
rural communities.
In its support of rural United Methodist churches and
the communities they serve in North Carolina, the
Endowment has funded the construction of hundreds
of sanctuaries and fellowship halls. Endowment support
also has helped rural churches serve thousands of people
through meaningful outreach programs.
Today, we invest in rural church facilities through
sustainable design and quality construction. Resources also
help provide affordable housing, child care, community
services, elder care, ministries for ethnic minorities, food
pantries, leadership development, clergy support and
spirituality and health programs.
Strong rural churches strengthen their communities.
By supporting rural United Methodist churches
and their leaders, we aim to expand church outreach
in communities throughout the region.
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documenting results
evaluating and assessing impact
The Duke Endowment is committed to a continuous
review of its grants and initiatives. All projects are assessed
for effectiveness, stewardship and alignment with mission.
Select projects, with higher risk, broader collaborations
or more complex change models, are the subject of formal
evaluation reviews. With the assistance of grantees and
expert consultants, we conduct comprehensive, multi-year
assessments of activities, outcomes and results.
Critical to increasing the effectiveness of grantmaking and
advancing positive change, formal evaluation covers topics
such as rural church leadership, the nursing work force
shortage and community-wide approaches to reduce child
abuse and neglect. Information gleaned from evaluation
and reporting helps document successes, identify lessons
learned and inform future funding decisions… ultimately
generating more effective change.
the duke endowment
The Duke Endowment supports institutions
and programs in North Carolina and South Carolina
as directed by the Indenture of Trust
of James Buchanan Duke.
Many funded organizations and projects
have become examples of lasting change.
We seek to serve the broader world by sharing
our expertise and experience with others who work
in the fields of higher education, health care,
rural churches, children’s services
and philanthropy.
We aspire to foster collaborative sharing
so that we may learn from others as well.
Summaries, reports and evaluations of our work
are available at www.dukeendowment.org.
the duke endowment
100 north tryon street, suite 3500
charlotte, north carolina 28202-4012
telephone 704.376.0291
www.dukeendowment.org
©
2008 the duke endowment