The Duke Endowment seeks to enrich lives and communities across North Carolina and South Carolina by supporting grantees as they nurture children, promote health, educate minds and uplift spirits.
Ready for School Ready for Life centers on early childhood systems in Guilford County, pairing multi-year place-based work with support for programs serving children ages 3–5 and their families. In 2023, its largest recent award was $65,000 to YWCA Greensboro under a CQI cohort grant, alongside $50,000 grants to Uncg Bringing Out the Best Program and Every Baby Guilford. That mix points to a funder that invests in coordinated local partners rather than a single stand-alone service. The portfolio also includes support for kindergarten-transition work, active reading, and social-emotional development, all tied to a broader effort to align early childhood resources into a connected system of care. The foundation’s naming and program structure show a strong emphasis on “ready for school, ready for life” goals through implementation support, pilot projects, and cohort learning. Recent grants also reached organizations working on family support, early intervention, and workforce-related early childhood capacity, suggesting a focus on both direct services and the infrastructure needed to sustain them.
A clear thread in the foundation’s giving is cohort-based quality improvement. In 2023, it awarded $65,000 to YWCA Greensboro, $28,975 to Family Service of the Piedmont, and $27,500 to Children and Families First through CQI cohort grants. It also funded place-based early learning work: $43,000 went to YWCA High Point for an ages 3–5 pilot project to support services and potential program expansion. Another area is early literacy and family engagement. Reading Connections received $13,750 for the MotherRead/FatherRead pilot across Guilford County, following work to develop four community sites and recruit families. Workforce development appears as well, with $30,137 to UNC Greensboro Contract & Grant Accounting for model workforce standards projects.
Typical grant sizes are tightly clustered: the p25 is $23,616, the median is $27,500, and the p75 is $29,556. The 2023 list shows a repeated cohort model, with multiple grants at the same $27,500 level and several recipients appearing in more than one award line, including YWCA High Point and Kellin Foundation. The foundation is a public charity and, in the data provided, gives locally rather than nationally. It does accept unsolicited applications in some active grant programs, including Additional Focus — Zero-to-Eight Emphasis and Child & Family Well-Being grants.
$8.2M
$3.5M
$4M
$4.1M
Most grants fall between $24K and $30K, with a median of $28K.
25th Percentile
$24K
Median
$28K
75th Percentile
$30K
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Grantmaking is concentrated entirely in North Carolina: 100% of listed grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Guilford County is the main local geography. Greensboro appears most often, with additional grants in High Point. The geographic pattern also matches the foundation’s place-based early childhood work in Guilford County and its broader Carolinas-oriented program areas. Although some active grant programs extend to South Carolina, the recent grants shown here are all in-state and local.
The foundation funds early childhood systems work in Guilford County, including CQI cohort grants, ages 3–5 pilot projects, kindergarten-transition alignment, active reading, social-emotional development, and workforce standards projects. Its active program descriptions also emphasize prenatal to age 8, system alignment, and capacity building.
Yes for some programs. The active grant descriptions say Additional Focus — Zero-to-Eight Emphasis, Child & Family Well-Being grants, and Health Care grants accept unsolicited applications. Other listed programs, including Higher Education and Rural Church, do not.
The grant-size distribution is centered in the high $20,000s. The p25 is $23,616, the median is $27,500, and the p75 is $29,556.
Its grants are local and all of the listed recipients are in North Carolina. Greensboro is the most common city in the recent grants list, followed by High Point, and the foundation’s place-based initiative is centered in Guilford County.
Yes. The 2023 grant list includes repeated awards to the same organizations, including YWCA High Point and Kellin Foundation. The overall pattern also shows cohort-style funding, with multiple local partners receiving awards tied to the same CQI approach.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA INC | GREENSBORO, NC | $3,657,420 | 2025 | CHS HEALTHYSTEPS 2023 DELIVERABLES (2023 GRANT AGREEMENT, EXECUTED 4/20/2023) |
| GUILFORD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | GREENSBORO, NC | $1,467,495 | 2025 | 2023 FAMILY CONNECTS DELIVERABLES (2023 GRANT AGREEMENT, EXECUTED 6/2023) - PAYMENT # 2 |
| CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FIRST | GREENSBORO, NC | $1,451,266 | 2025 | NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP 2023 DELIVERABLES (2023 GRANT AGREEMENT, EXECUTED 4/20/2023) - PAYMENT # 1 |
| CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA INC | GREENSBORO, NC | $300,000 | 2025 | SPEND DOWN OF ARPA FUNDS - COMMUNITY NAVIGATION |
| ZERO TO THREE | WASHINGTON, DC | $181,437 | 2025 | 2023 DELIVERABLES IN SUPPORT OF GUILFORD HEALTHYSTEPS AT CHILDRENS HOME SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA (2023 GRANT AGREEMENT, EXECUTED 4/20/2023) - PAYMENT # 2 |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | CHARLOTTE, NC | $160,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY NAVIGATION PROGRAM MANUAL PROJECT (2023 GRANT AGREEMENT, EXECUTED 4/20/2023) - PAYMENT # 1 |
| FAMILY SERVICE OF THE PIEDMONT | GREENSBORO, NC | $127,500 | 2025 | AGES 3-5 |
| GET READY GUILFORD | GREENSBORO, NC | $125,000 | 2025 | 2023 TDE GRANT CARRYOVER (AGES 3-5) THAT WAS COMBINED WITH GRANT 22-11-SGO-K FOR GRANT AWARDS AND PAID OUT OF GRG. RR OWES GRG FOR THE PORTION COMING OUT OF THE GRANT SENT TO RR AND PAID OUT OF GRG. |
| KELLIN FOUNDATION | GREENSBORO, NC | $94,504 | 2025 | MILESTONES #1-3 DELIVERABLES FOR SOW # 2 |
| READING CONNECTIONS | GREENSBORO, NC | $88,498 | 2025 | COHORT III TDE GRANT 22-11-SGO-L |
| REACH OUT AND READ - NORTH CAROLINA | MATTHEWS, NC | $75,000 | 2025 | REACH OUT AND READ 2023 DELIVERABLES (2023 GRANT AGREEMENT, EXECUTED 4/20/23-PMT #2) |
| UNCG CONTRACT & GRANT ACCOUNTING | GREENSBORO, NC | $54,672 | 2025 | PROJECT: BEST PRACTICES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD WORK ENVIRONMENTS 11/1/2022-11/30/2022 (INV. 225784-30) |
| GET READY GUILFORD | GREENSBORO, NC | $36,017 | 2025 | 2022 TDE GRANT CARRYOVER (AGES 3-5) THAT WAS COMBINED WITH GRANT 22-11-SGO-K FOR GRANT AWARDS AND PAID OUT OF GRG. RR OWES GRG FOR THE PORTION COMING OUT OF THE GRANT SENT TO RR AND PAID OUT OF GRG. |
| POSITIVE DIRECTION FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES | GREENSBORO, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT |
| OUT OF THE GARDEN PROJECT | GREENSBORO, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT |
| WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER | GREENSBORO, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT |
| FAITH ACTION INTERNATIONAL HOUSE | GREENSBORO, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | PMT 1-COHORT III TDE GRANT 22-11-SGO-L |
| GREENSBORO HOUSING AUTHORITY | GREENSBORO, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT |
| YMCA OF GREENSBORO | GREENSBORO, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | PMT 1-COHORT III TDE GRANT 22-11-SGO-L |
| D-UP INC | HIGH POINT, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | COHORT III TDE GRANT 22-11-SGO-L |
| BACKPACK BEGINNINGS | GREENSBORO, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT |
| THE CENTER FOR NEW NORTH CAROLINIANS (IMMIGRATION SERVICES) | GREENSBORO, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT |
| THE BARNABAS NETWORK | GREENSBORO, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT |
| YMCA HIGH POINT | HIGH POINT, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | PMT 1-COHORT III TDE GRANT 22-11-SGO-L |
| THE CENTER FOR NEW NORTH CAROLINIANS (THRIVING AT THREE) | GREENSBORO, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER GREENSBORO | GREENSBORO, NC | $21,782 | 2025 | MILESTONE # 6 DELIVERABLES FOR SOW # 2 |
| TRIAD GOODWILL | GREENSBORO, NC | $12,500 | 2025 | CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT |
| GUILFORD WORKS | GREENSBORO, NC | $12,500 | 2025 | CQI COHORT - CQI INFRASTRUCTURE ASSESSMENT STIPEND |
| ROOM AT THE INN | GREENSBORO, NC | $12,500 | 2025 | CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT |
| YWCA GREENSBORO | GREENSBORO, NC | $12,500 | 2025 | CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT |
| YWCA HIGH POINT | HIGH POINT, NC | $8,625 | 2025 | WORK ON AGES 3-5 PILOT PROGRAM PER SOW |
| YWCA GREENSBORO | GREENSBORO, NC | $65,000 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| UNCG BRINGING OUT THE BEST PROGRAM | GREENSBORO, NC | $50,000 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| EVERY BABY GUILFORD | GREENSBORO, NC | $50,000 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| YWCA HIGH POINT | HIGH POINT, NC | $43,000 | 2023 | AGES 3-5 PILOT PROJECT GRANT TO FURTHER SUPPORT SERVICES AND POTENTIAL PROGRAM EXPANSION. |
| KELLIN FOUNDATION | GREENSBORO, NC | $36,287 | 2023 | AGES 3-5 PILOT PROJECT GRANT TO FURTHER SUPPORT SERVICES AND POTENTIAL PROGRAM EXPANSION. |
| UNCG CONTRACT & GRANT ACCOUNTING | GREENSBORO, NC | $30,137 | 2023 | MODEL WORKFORCE STANDARDS PROJECTS GRANT TO FURTHER SUPPORTED SERVICES AND PROGRAMS. |
| FAMILY SERVICE OF THE PIEDMONT | GREENSBORO, NC | $28,975 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| BACKPACK BEGINNINGS | GREENSBORO, NC | $27,500 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| THE CENTER FOR NEW NORTH CAROLINIANS (IMMIGRATION SERVICES) | GREENSBORO, NC | $27,500 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| THE CENTER FOR NEW NORTH CAROLINIANS (THRIVING AT THREE) | GREENSBORO, NC | $27,500 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| OUT OF THE GARDEN PROJECT | GREENSBORO, NC | $27,500 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FIRST | GREENSBORO, NC | $27,500 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER | GREENSBORO, NC | $27,500 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| POSITIVE DIRECTION FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES | GREENSBORO, NC | $27,500 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| GREENSBORO HOUSING AUTHORITY | GREENSBORO, NC | $27,500 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| KELLIN FOUNDATION | GREENSBORO, NC | $27,500 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| THE BARNABAS NETWORK | GREENSBORO, NC | $27,500 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER GREENSBORO | GREENSBORO, NC | $19,733 | 2023 | IN 2022, THE UNITED WAY OF GREATER GREENSBORO RECRUITED SIX PRE-K CLASSROOMS TO PILOT THE RAISING A READER PROGRAM. THE PART-TIME COORDINATOR WAS HIRED IN OCTOBER 2022 AND THEN TRAINED AND ONBOARDED THE SIX PRE-K TEACHERS BY DECEMBER 2022 TO LAUNCH THE PILOT IN JANUARY 2023. |
| TRIAD GOODWILL | GREENSBORO, NC | $15,000 | 2023 | CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION. |
CHS HEALTHYSTEPS 2023 DELIVERABLES (2023 GRANT AGREEMENT, EXECUTED 4/20/2023)
GUILFORD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
$1,467,4952023 FAMILY CONNECTS DELIVERABLES (2023 GRANT AGREEMENT, EXECUTED 6/2023) - PAYMENT # 2
NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP 2023 DELIVERABLES (2023 GRANT AGREEMENT, EXECUTED 4/20/2023) - PAYMENT # 1
SPEND DOWN OF ARPA FUNDS - COMMUNITY NAVIGATION
ZERO TO THREE
$181,4372023 DELIVERABLES IN SUPPORT OF GUILFORD HEALTHYSTEPS AT CHILDRENS HOME SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA (2023 GRANT AGREEMENT, EXECUTED 4/20/2023) - PAYMENT # 2
COMMUNITY NAVIGATION PROGRAM MANUAL PROJECT (2023 GRANT AGREEMENT, EXECUTED 4/20/2023) - PAYMENT # 1
GET READY GUILFORD
$125,0002023 TDE GRANT CARRYOVER (AGES 3-5) THAT WAS COMBINED WITH GRANT 22-11-SGO-K FOR GRANT AWARDS AND PAID OUT OF GRG. RR OWES GRG FOR THE PORTION COMING OUT OF THE GRANT SENT TO RR AND PAID OUT OF GRG.
REACH OUT AND READ 2023 DELIVERABLES (2023 GRANT AGREEMENT, EXECUTED 4/20/23-PMT #2)
UNCG CONTRACT & GRANT ACCOUNTING
$54,672PROJECT: BEST PRACTICES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD WORK ENVIRONMENTS 11/1/2022-11/30/2022 (INV. 225784-30)
GET READY GUILFORD
$36,0172022 TDE GRANT CARRYOVER (AGES 3-5) THAT WAS COMBINED WITH GRANT 22-11-SGO-K FOR GRANT AWARDS AND PAID OUT OF GRG. RR OWES GRG FOR THE PORTION COMING OUT OF THE GRANT SENT TO RR AND PAID OUT OF GRG.
POSITIVE DIRECTION FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES
$25,000CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT
WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER
$25,000CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT
FAITH ACTION INTERNATIONAL HOUSE
$25,000PMT 1-COHORT III TDE GRANT 22-11-SGO-L
GREENSBORO HOUSING AUTHORITY
$25,000CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT
D-UP INC
$25,000COHORT III TDE GRANT 22-11-SGO-L
THE CENTER FOR NEW NORTH CAROLINIANS (IMMIGRATION SERVICES)
$25,000CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT
THE BARNABAS NETWORK
$25,000CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT
THE CENTER FOR NEW NORTH CAROLINIANS (THRIVING AT THREE)
$25,000CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT
TRIAD GOODWILL
$12,500CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT
GUILFORD WORKS
$12,500CQI COHORT - CQI INFRASTRUCTURE ASSESSMENT STIPEND
YWCA GREENSBORO
$12,500CQI COHORT II FINAL GRANT PAYMENT
YWCA GREENSBORO
$65,000CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
UNCG BRINGING OUT THE BEST PROGRAM
$50,000CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
EVERY BABY GUILFORD
$50,000CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
AGES 3-5 PILOT PROJECT GRANT TO FURTHER SUPPORT SERVICES AND POTENTIAL PROGRAM EXPANSION.
AGES 3-5 PILOT PROJECT GRANT TO FURTHER SUPPORT SERVICES AND POTENTIAL PROGRAM EXPANSION.
UNCG CONTRACT & GRANT ACCOUNTING
$30,137MODEL WORKFORCE STANDARDS PROJECTS GRANT TO FURTHER SUPPORTED SERVICES AND PROGRAMS.
CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
THE CENTER FOR NEW NORTH CAROLINIANS (IMMIGRATION SERVICES)
$27,500CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
THE CENTER FOR NEW NORTH CAROLINIANS (THRIVING AT THREE)
$27,500CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER
$27,500CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
POSITIVE DIRECTION FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES
$27,500CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
GREENSBORO HOUSING AUTHORITY
$27,500CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
THE BARNABAS NETWORK
$27,500CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.
IN 2022, THE UNITED WAY OF GREATER GREENSBORO RECRUITED SIX PRE-K CLASSROOMS TO PILOT THE RAISING A READER PROGRAM. THE PART-TIME COORDINATOR WAS HIRED IN OCTOBER 2022 AND THEN TRAINED AND ONBOARDED THE SIX PRE-K TEACHERS BY DECEMBER 2022 TO LAUNCH THE PILOT IN JANUARY 2023.
TRIAD GOODWILL
$15,000CQI COHORT GRANT: SEE SCHEDULE I, PART IV FOR DESCRIPTION.