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.
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 sacrifi ced 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
strategic investments Since 1924, 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 20 th 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 infi rm 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, effi cient replication of models that work, and the expanded benefi ts of collaboration.
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 signifi cant 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 fi elds 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.
100 north tryon street, suite 3500 charlotte, north carolina 28202-4012 telephone 704.376.0291 www.dukeendowment.org 2008