Please see Grantmaking Guidelines under the Apply tab 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 PreK-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.

Multiyear grant applicants: After conversations with select organizations, we will extend invitations for proposals from well-aligned applicants. All applicants will be notified about the status of their application by the end of March.

One-year grant applicants: After conversations with select organizations, we will extend invitations for proposals from well-aligned applicants. All applicants will be notified about the status of their application by the end of June.

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

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