Supporting K-12 Education & the Arts
Artist JP Jermaine Powell paints a mural for The ArtsCenter, Carrboro
About Us
The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation supports arts organizations, artists, and K-12 education in the Triangle region of North Carolina. In addition, MDBF supports Duke University, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and three churches, all institutions important to her family.
Children’s Literacy Project
Reading Is Fundamental The Children’s Literacy Project (formerly Augustine Literacy Project of the Triangle) improves the literacy skills of children […]
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National Women’s Theatre Festival
Creating, producing, and promoting extraordinary, inclusive theater by women and all underrepresented genders Post pandemic, the National Women’s Theater Festival […]
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Seeing a pathway to excel in musical pursuits
Bull City Performing Arts Established in 2020, Bull City Performing Arts (BCPA) is the nonprofit arm of the Bull City […]
Read More.“We are actively planning a more robust year and are thrilled to have our AfterSchool Arts Immersion program up and running."
Wendy Smith, The ArtsCenter, Carrboro
K-12 Education
The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation has a longstanding commitment to youth education. We focus this grantmaking on two areas: Student Success and Learning and Arts education. In both areas, the foundation makes grants to help children, especially those in underserved communities, acquire the knowledge, skills, and behaviors they need to succeed in school, career pathways, and life.
We make grants to organizations located in and serving students in Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties in North Carolina.
The Arts
The arts are essential to strong, vibrant communities. A dynamic cultural sector is a catalyst for growth, attracting and retaining businesses and visitors. They strengthen neighborhoods and communities by preserving the culture and memories of specific places and have a positive impact on health and well-being. The arts provide spaces to allow people from different backgrounds to engage with one another and opportunities to build community. Perhaps most importantly, they offer personal enjoyment to individuals, groups, and families, and give voice to the human condition.
The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation focuses its arts grantmaking on efforts that strengthen arts organizations and nurture artistic talent. This program focuses on adult artists. Please see the K-12 Education grant program for guidelines for projects that engage school-aged participants.