The Doris Duke Foundation (DDF) operates five national grantmaking programs as well as Duke Farms and Shangri La, two centers that serve the public directly.
The mission of the Doris Duke Foundation is to improve the quality of people's lives through grants supporting the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research and child well-being, and through preservation of the cultural and environmental legacy of Doris Duke's properties. Learn more about how we execute our mission and the value lens through which we do our work.
Born on Nov. 22, 1912 in New York City, Doris Duke was a lifelong philanthropist and adventurer, who used her inheritance as the only child of James Buchanan (J.B.) Duke, a founder of the American Tobacco Company and Duke Energy Company, to travel the world, engage in creative and environmental interests, and support causes to improve the health and well-being of children and communities.
The Doris Duke Foundation was established in 1996 through the will of Doris Duke, who endowed the foundation and left written guidance for our funding priorities, activities and future of her properties.
The Doris Duke Foundation’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice is an ongoing, active engagement reflected in our grantees, museums, centers, board and staff.
View the open opportunities to join us in our work to support the well-being of people and the planet for a more creative, equitable and sustainable future.
DDF’s grant programs, museums and centers are entirely funded through an endowment provided through Doris Duke’s will and managed by our investments team. Since 1997, the foundation has approved grants totaling approximately $1.5 billion.
In order to develop our grantmaking strategies, the foundation's program staff conducts extensive research to identify gaps or needs in the fields it supports. While DDF programs have overarching similarities, they all make grants in unique ways.
