
Student Academic Success
The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation seeks to address and challenge inequities that limit PreK-12 student success and learning. We support organizations whose primary purpose is to increase student academic achievement through high-quality, academic-focused learning opportunities that align with the standard PreK-12 academic curriculum. These organizations work with students who lack access to programs because of economic conditions, race or ethnic background, geography, or different abilities.
Because of the importance of social and emotional learning (SEL) opportunities for students, preference will be given to academic-focused learning organizations that also incorporate SEL into their programs.
We do not accept applications from organizations whose primary programming focuses on social and emotional learning, mentoring, or youth leadership or development.
What We Fund
As detailed in Our Approach, MDBF's goal for its grantmaking is to support nonprofits to strengthen their effectiveness as organizations in ways that lead to long-term sustainability. We strongly encourage you to read Our Grantmaking Approach for essential information regarding how we make funding decisions and to prepare you for the information we ask for in the application.
Early Learning Programs: We support PreK organizations whose primary purpose is kindergarten readiness. Evidence-based programs are a plus.
Academic Achievement: We support organizations whose primary purpose is to support K-12 students' academic achievement. These include organizations that build academic skills through structured academic learning opportunities and/or structured tutoring and professional training for teachers and tutors that align with the standard NC curriculum. Evidence-based programs are a plus.
Grant Opportunities
- Multiyear grants: Organizations that focus on academic achievement AND have received funding from MDBF in the previous 5 years are eligible to apply for a 3-year grant.
- One-year grants: Organizations that focus on academic achievement AND have not received funding from MDBF in the previous 5 years or have never received a grant from us are eligible to apply for a 1-year grant.
Please see Our Grantmaking Approach for more information regarding multiyear and one-year grants.
General Eligibility Requirements
- Organization is located in and the majority of programming takes place in Chatham, Durham, Orange, and/or Wake counties.
- The majority of students engaged or served by the organization are those who lack access to programs because of economic conditions, race or ethnic background, geography, or different abilities.
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or sponsored by a qualified fiscal agent.
- A current or expected expenses budget under $2,000,000 (fiscal sponsors are exempt from this stipulation).
- A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in its governance, staffing, and participants.
- Capacity to achieve its goals: staffing and experience (including volunteers), board governance, and financial resources.
Grant Restrictions
- Public schools and charter schools are not eligible to apply.
- Organizations that have an interim or new executive director (hired within the past 6 months) are not eligible to apply.
- We do not make project-based grants.
- Organizations whose primary mission and focus is on the humanities or history are not eligible to apply.
- Organizations whose primary focus is social and emotional learning, mentoring, or youth leadership or development are not eligible to apply.
- University-affiliated organizations are not eligible to apply.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We view our education grantmaking through an equity lens. We are particularly interested in supporting organizations led by people of color and whose boards and staff reflect the population(s) served by the organization.