Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in New York, New York. Established in 1996 and endowed with more than $2 billion from Doris Duke’s assets, it works to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future through support for arts and culture, nature, and health and well-being.
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc gave $90.3M across 289 grants in 2024 (avg $312K), top state New York. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $90,284,482
- -12.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 289
- -17.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $312,403
- +6.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $2,220,057,787
- +1.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (64 of 220, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (45% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests from U.S. nonprofit organizations through its Letter of Inquiry process, though it says very few unsolicited inquiries result in grants. Applicants are asked for a nonprofit tax ID, project title and description, requested amount, explanation of how the project relates to the foundation’s objectives, the organization’s mission and strategies, and a primary contact. Supplemental materials cannot be submitted at the inquiry stage. The foundation says staff respond within two months. Individual applicants cannot receive grants directly.
- Review Cycle
- No general deadline is stated for unsolicited Letters of Inquiry. The open-call deadlines listed on the foundation’s website are October 21, 2026, for Communities Leading on AI and November 18, 2026, for the health research pre-proposal.
- Deadline
- No general deadline is stated for unsolicited Letters of Inquiry.
- Contact
Application contact: Doris Duke Charitable Foundation In
Mailing address: 444 Madison Avenue 10Th Floor, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (908) 243-3619
Website: https://dorisduke.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Duke Farms Foundation ($16.3M). Together the top 10 received $45.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,839 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 562 grants of 1,839 (31%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars were distributed primarily to recipients in New York (45%), the District of Columbia (12%), Massachusetts (11%), California (7%) and Illinois (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 289 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 64 of 220 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $158K; repeat grants $514K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $150K repeat.
- 58% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 28% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 104% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $90.3M (2024) to $126.1M (2021). In 2024 it made 289 grants totaling $90.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Duke Farms Foundation New York, NY | Funding Requirements | $16,274,102 |
| Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art New York, NY | Funding Requirements | $12,624,834 |
| Map Fund Inc New York, NY | To support the map fund awards for artists in contemporary dance, jazz and theater and to provide support for sustainability planning | $2,630,000 |
| Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Inc Becket, MA | To Support a New Doris Duke Theatre | $2,500,000 |
| Community Foundation of New Jersey Morristown, NJ | To support the 1st year of flexible resources for opt-in washington dc and Kentucky | $1,750,000 |
| Fund for Public Health in New York New York, NY | To support the coalition to end racism in clinical algorithms (CERCA) | $1,746,000 |
| Harvard University Cambridge, MA | To provide demonstration sites technical assistance in business process redesign through dedicated on-site fellows as they implement a new approach to connecting families at risk of child welfare involvement to community-based services | $1,740,000 |
| New England Foundation for the Arts Boston, MA | To renew support for the national dance project, a regranting program that supports the creation and touring of new dance works throughout the united states | $1,738,700 |
| The Trust for Public Land San Francisco, CA | To support the conservation finance initiative, a joint effort of trust for public land and the nature conservancy, which aims to create new funding for land conservation, parks, and climate | $1,209,300 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | To support research, mentorship, and capacity building for the research for indigenous social action and equity center | $1,115,997 |
Ready to take the next step with Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,220,057,787 | $101,724,041 | $121,588,564 | $90,284,482 | 289 | $112,864,381 | $79,736,330 | $108,475,810 |
| 2023 | $2,180,074,293 | $150,483,856 | $145,673,550 | $103,042,665 | 350 | $122,895,784 | $101,023,967 | $122,576,043 |
| 2022 | $2,098,640,934 | $138,058,598 | $104,046,769 | $91,124,903 | 339 | $105,903,399 | $45,881,315 | $115,737,260 |
| 2021 | $2,668,517,046 | $296,413,800 | $167,018,945 | $126,093,897 | 448 | $140,126,462 | $334,368,090 | $117,998,858 |
| 2020 | $2,418,804,763 | $134,319,451 | $121,634,947 | $96,009,426 | 413 | — | $67,622,237 | $94,008,931 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $108.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future. Its focus areas are Arts & Culture, Nature, and Health & Well-being. Its stated priorities include championing performing artists and culture; preserving, stewarding and restoring nature, including through climate-smart forests and Indigenous-led conservation; supporting research to improve human health; and helping vulnerable children and families.
The foundation’s website describes additional program areas: Building Bridges, which works to elevate U.S. Muslim storytelling; Environment, which seeks a thriving, resilient environment for wildlife and people; Child Well-being, focused on children’s healthy development and protection from abuse and neglect; and Medical Research, which supports new approaches in health sciences.
Grantees in 2024 included arts organizations, conservation groups, public health organizations and universities. The MAP Fund describes its mission as supporting innovation and cross-cultural exploration in new live performance. Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival says it supports dance creation, presentation, education and preservation. The Trust for Public Land describes its work as creating parks and protecting land for people. The Fund for Public Health in New York says it works to improve the well-being of New York City residents in collaboration with the city health department.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 289 grants totaling $90,284,482. Grant amounts ranged from $2,453 to $16,274,102, with a median of $100,000.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $16,274,102 to Duke Farms Foundation and $12,624,834 to the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, both listed for “funding requirements.” Other awards included $2,630,000 to the MAP Fund for awards supporting artists in contemporary dance, jazz and theater and sustainability planning; $2,500,000 to Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival for a new Doris Duke Theatre; and $1,746,000 to the Fund for Public Health in New York for the Coalition to End Racism in Clinical Algorithms. The foundation also awarded $1,738,700 to the New England Foundation for the Arts to renew support for the National Dance Project, and $1,209,300 to the Trust for Public Land for a conservation finance initiative.
The foundation’s website says most grants are by invitation, with awards also made through foundation-initiated invitations, regranting competitions and requests for proposals. It occasionally supports opportunistic grants. The website lists open opportunities including a Communities Leading on AI call with an October 21, 2026 deadline and a health research pre-proposal opportunity with a November 18, 2026 deadline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include Samsher Gill, CEO and president; Erica Dziedzic, secretary and counsel; Eileen Oberlander, director of finance and treasurer; Anthony S. Fauci, vice chairperson; and William Wright, director and chairperson. Other listed directors are Vishakha N. Desai, Marie Lynn Miranda, Nannerl O. Keohane and Afsaneh Beschloss. Peter Simmons is listed as COO and treasurer through February 2024.
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc is led by Samsher Gill, CEO & President on every filing since 2021; 7 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Samsher Gill
CEO & President
On filings since 2021
28 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Wright
Director & Chairperson
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $50K (2024)
David S. Wilcove
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$50K (2021) → $50K (2024)
Mary Schmidt Campbell
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $50K (2024)
Nannerl O. Keohane
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $50K (2024)
Vishakha N. Desai
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $50K (2024)
Jt Batson
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$50K (2024)
Afsaneh Beschloss
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Marron
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Talty
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marie Lynn Miranda
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brooke Jones
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eileen Oberlander
Director of Finance & Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
11 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rochelle Walensky
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony S. Fauci
Vice Chairperson
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$100K (2024)
Erica Dziedzic
Secretary & Counsel
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Simmons
COO & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
14 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Angela Mwanza (2020–2022) — Former Director
- Former: Clive Gillinson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Edward P. Henry (2020–2021) — CEO & President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $100K, to Anthony S Fauci (Vice Chairperson). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc
How much does Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc give each year?
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc gave $90.3M across 289 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $103.0M across 350 grants.
What is Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $312,403, across 289 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc that year got $158K on average.
Where does Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc give grants?
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc's top state is New York, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (12%) and Massachusetts (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (58 grants), Washington, DC (42 grants), Boston, MA (14 grants) and San Francisco, CA (14 grants).
Does Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 12% of Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (36 of 289) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Philanthropic Sector Support 2024" (8 grants) and "Doris Duke Artist Awards 2020" (3 grants).
Who are Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Duke Farms Foundation ($16,274,102), Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art ($12,624,834) and Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Inc ($2,750,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc?
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc reported $2.2B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $112.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $108.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future. Its focus areas are Arts & Culture, Nature, and Health & Well-being. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests from U.S. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN?
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3691183. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/doris-duke-charitable-foundation-inc-morg_c1ae2f2e202548818c99572c21e82f34
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_823691183_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/doris-duke-charitable-foundation-inc-morg_c1ae2f2e202548818c99572c21e82f34},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?