Please see How to Apply for details about the submission process and our deadlines.

We use an online application process. We do not accept hard-copy proposals.

Please read the K-12 Education and Arts Program descriptions. We make operating support grants. In addition, our charter mandates that Duke University receive half of total grants.

At the Foundation’s request, Duke’s proposal is managed by staff in the Office of Foundation Relations in University Development. For more information, please contact them at 919-681-0468. We do not accept proposals from Duke outside of this process.

Only organizations in the Triangle region of North Carolina are eligible to apply. We have defined the Triangle to include Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties.

Organizations may have only one grant at a time. A final narrative and financial report on the organization’s previous grant must be received by the foundation before a new application can be submitted.

Applicants will be notified of the Board of Trustees’ decisions by September 15 each year.

MDBF and nonprofit partners will have annual check-in meetings to get updates on the organization.

At the conclusion of the grant, MDBF will ask for a short written reflection on the nonprofit's accomplishments and lessons learned.

Please click here.