The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation
Durham, NC · EIN 13-6068883. Reported 286 grants totalling $6,098,990 to 151 recipients across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $10,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $15,000; the smallest was $1,000 and the largest $565,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University | Durham, NC | $964,995 | 4 | 2 | 2024 |
| Duke University Trinity College of Arts & Sciences | Durham, NC | $786,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Duke University- Nasher Museum of Art | Durham, NC | $328,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| University of North Carolina School of the Arts Foundation | Winston Salem, NC | $260,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Durham Arts Council Inc | Durham, NC | $200,000 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Duke University Health System - Arts & Health | Durham, NC | $142,250 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Kidznotes | Durham, NC | $135,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Duke University - Duke Performances | Durham, NC | $128,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Duke University - Office of Community Affairs - Tutoring Program in Durham | Durham, NC | $126,245 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| American Dance Festival | Durham, NC | $110,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle | Chapel Hill, NC | $105,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Hispanic Liaison of Chatham County | Siler City, NC | $95,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Duke University School of Medicine - Medical School Scholarships | Durham, NC | $85,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Duke University - Office of Vice Provost of the Arts - Redefining the Arts | Durham, NC | $82,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Duke University - Duke Arts Presents | Durham, NC | $70,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Durham Symphony Orchestra | Durham, NC | $70,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Walltown Children's Theater | Durham, NC | $70,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Duke University - Sarah P Duke Gardens | Durham, NC | $66,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Central Piedmont Community Action | Siler City, NC | $55,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Community Foundation of Western North Carolina | Asheville, NC | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Triangle Community Foundation | Research Triangle Park, NC | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Carolina | Sanford, NC | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Chatham Outreach Alliance Inc | Pittsboro, NC | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Inter-Faith Council for Social Service | Carrboro, NC | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| North Carolina Arts in Action Inc | Carrboro, NC | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Raleigh Little Theatre | Raleigh, NC | $45,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Inter-Faith Food Shuttle | Raleigh, NC | $42,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Chatham County Arts Council Inc | Pittsboro, NC | $40,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Southern Documentary Fund | Durham, NC | $40,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Student U | Durham, NC | $40,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church | Durham, NC | $40,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Wake Tech Community College Education Foundation | Raleigh, NC | $37,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Artspace Inc | Raleigh, NC | $35,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Duke University School of Medicine | Durham, NC | $35,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Empower Dance Foundation | Durham, NC | $35,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Shaleigh Dance Works | Durham, NC | $35,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| The Artscenter | Carrboro, NC | $35,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| The Gifted Arts | Raleigh, NC | $35,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Urban Ministries of Durham Inc | Durham, NC | $35,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Triangle Artworks Inc | Research Triangle Park, NC | $30,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Durham Art Guild Inc | Durham, NC | $28,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Arts Access | Raleigh, NC | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Diamante Inc Dba Diamante Arts & Cultural Center | Raleigh, NC | $25,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| East Durham Children's Initiative | Durham, NC | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Gigi's Playhouse - Raleigh LLC | Raleigh, NC | $25,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Keep Durham Beautiful | Durham, NC | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Nc Community Foundation | Raleigh, NC | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Raleigh Camerata | Apex, NC | $25,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Senior Pharmassist Inc | Durham, NC | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Triangle Capacity Building Network | Research Triangle Park, NC | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Durham Tech Foundation | Durham, NC | $22,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Nc Central University Foundation | Durham, NC | $22,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Augustine Literacy Project of the Triangle | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 3 | 2 | 2022 |
| Caris Foundation | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Center for Inquiry Based Learning Inc | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Chatham Education Foundation | Pittsboro, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Christ Church United Methodist | New York, NY | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Click Photography Festival | Raleigh, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Communities in Schools - Wake Co | Raleigh, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Community Music School | Raleigh, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Culture Mill | Graham, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Duke Memorial United Methodist Church | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Durham Nativity School | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| El Futuro Inc | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Helps Education Fund | Raleigh, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Hillsborough Arts Council | Hillsborough, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Inglesia Presbiteriana Emanuel | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Irvington Presbyterian Church | Irvington, NY | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Liberty Arts Inc | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Mallarme Chamber Players Inc | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Mojoaa Performing Arts Company | Raleigh, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Northstar Church of the Arts | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Refugee Community Partnership | Carrboro, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| St Joseph's Historic Foundation Inc | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Beautiful Project | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Village of Wisdom | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Voices Together | Chapel Hill, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Women's Theatre Festival | Raleigh, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| World Relief Durham | Durham, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Durham Public Schools Foundation | Durham, NC | $16,000 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| Burning Coal Theatre Company (legal Name Davner Theatricals) | Raleigh, NC | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Habitat for Humanity Durham | Durham, NC | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Hillsborough Arts Councel | Hillsborough, NC | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Nc Center for Nonprofits | Raleigh, NC | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Orange County Arts Commission | Hillsborough, NC | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Paperhand Puppet Project | Graham, NC | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Seeds | Durham, NC | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry | Wake Forest, NC | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County | Raleigh, NC | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| United Arts Wake County | Raleigh, NC | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Audacity Labs | Durham, NC | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Biscuits & Banjos Festival - Unmanageable | Nashville, TN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Bynum Front Porch | Bynum, NC | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Carolina Theatre of Durham Inc | Durham, NC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Children's Literacy Project | Durham, NC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Choral Society of Durham | Durham, NC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Durham Children's Initiative (dci) | Durham, NC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry | Fuquayvarina, NC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Gaspard& Company Dancers Inc | Durham, NC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Gaspard&dancers Inc | Durham, NC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Latino Educational Achievement Partnership | Durham, NC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Learning Together | Raleigh, NC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Museum of Durham History Inc | Durham, NC | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Nc Arts Incubator | Siler City, NC | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Swingpals Inc | Durham, NC | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Table Ministries | Durham, NC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Triangle Bikeworks | Carrboro, NC | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| East Wake Education Foundation | Wendell, NC | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Pure Life Theatre Company | Raleigh, NC | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Raleigh Music Collective | Raleigh, NC | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Wake Forest Community Youth Orchestra | Wake Forest, NC | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Boomerang Youth Inc | Chapel Hill, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Bull City Performing Arts Conservatory | Durham, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Bulldog Ensemble Theater | Durham, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Circle City Theatre Company | Pittsboro, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Commotion - Community in Motion | Raleigh, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Durham Colored Library Inc | Durham, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Durham Success Summit | Durham, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Friends of Dps Hub Farm Ltd | Durham, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Isla | Durham, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Kidzu Children's Museum | Chapel Hill, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Latinxed | Siler City, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Loaves and Fishes Ministry Inc | Raleigh, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Saving & Making History | Chapel Hill, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Movement of Youth Dba Mentor North Carolina | Durham, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Musical Empowerment | Carrboro, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Nc Freedom Park | Raleigh, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| New Hope United Methodist Church | Durham, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| North Carolina Center for Nonprofits | Raleigh, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| North Carolina Master Chorale | Raleigh, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Penland School of Craft | Bakersville, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Raleigh Symphony Orchestra Inc | Raleigh, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Read and Feed | Cary, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Religious Coalition Nc Durham | Durham, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Six Feet Photography Project - Click Photography Festival | Raleigh, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Stronger Together Durham | Durham, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Switchyard Theatre Company | Raleigh, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The Art of the Stateunc Press | Chapel Hill, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Raleigh Ringers Inc | Raleigh, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Stagville Memorial Project | Durham, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Vae Raleighjuneteenth Jubilee | Raleigh, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Visual Art Exchange | Raleigh, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Audio Under the Stars - Southern Documentary Fund | Durham, NC | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Clayton Cultural Arts Foundation | Clayton, NC | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Durham Community Land Trustees Inc | Durham, NC | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Echonc | Durham, NC | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Gregory B Davis Foundation | Silver Spring, MD | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Housing for New Hope | Durham, NC | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Moving Forward Carolina Foundation | Pittsboro, NC | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Community Remembrance Coalition-Chatham | Pittsboro, NC | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Durham Parks Foundation | Durham, NC | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
75 of 151 (50%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 44%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Duke University Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
SUPPORTING THE ARTS AT DUKE - Duke University
DUKE FAMILY ARCHIVIST PROJECT - Duke University- Nasher Museum of Art
NASHER MUSEUM OF ART: EDUCATION, INTERNSHIP, EXHIBITIONS AND PERMANENT COLLECTION SUPPORT - Kidznotes
2023 OPERATING AND CHALLENGE GRANTS - Duke University - Duke Performances
1) HUNGRY RIVER, A NEW SONG CYCLE BY TIFT MERRITT AND ALLISON RUSSELL EXPLORING THE HISTORY OF GOLDSBOROS CHERRY HOSPITAL; 2) ZODIAC SUITE, A MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXPLORATION OF MARY LOU WILLIAMS 1945 MASTERWORK BY JAZZ PIANIST CHRIS PATISHALL - University of North Carolina School of the Arts Foundation
UNCSA DEANS DISCRETIONARY AND CREATIVE EXCELLENCE FUND
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 166 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88 | $1,297,500 | $10,000 |
| 2022 | 91 | $1,710,495 | $10,000 |
| 2023 | 56 | $1,591,000 | $10,000 |
| 2024 | 51 | $1,499,995 | $15,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation has 54 of them, worth $1,651,240. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Duke University Trinity College of Arts & Sciences | Durham, NC | $275,000 |
| Duke University - Office of Community Affairs - Tutoring Program in Durham | Durham, NC | $246,240 |
| Duke University- Nasher Museum of Art | Durham, NC | $115,000 |
| Durham Symphony Orchestra | Durham, NC | $100,000 |
| Walltown Children's Theater | Durham, NC | $100,000 |
| Hispanic Liaison of Chatham County | Siler City, NC | $80,000 |
| Duke University - Duke Performances | Durham, NC | $70,000 |
| Duke University Health System - Arts & Health | Durham, NC | $50,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Carolina | Sanford, NC | $50,000 |
| Triangle Community Foundation | Research Triangle Park, NC | $50,000 |
| Duke University School of Medicine - Medical School Scholarships | Durham, NC | $30,000 |
| Empower Dance Foundation | Durham, NC | $30,000 |
| Shaleigh Dance Works | Durham, NC | $30,000 |
| Duke University - Sarah P Duke Gardens | Durham, NC | $25,000 |
| Augustine Literacy Project of the Triangle | Durham, NC | $10,000 |
Where its money goes
99% of its giving went to organizations in North Carolina. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $10,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in North Carolina.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 318 Blackwell Street, Durham, NC, 27701. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 13-6068883 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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