The Doing Good – Early Childhood & Education Grant Program, part of Duke University’s employee giving campaign, is now accepting applications for the 2025 funding cycle. This grant is open from November 4, 2024, to December 6, 2024, and is available to public schools and nonprofit organizations in Durham County. Designed to support innovative educational services and college or career readiness programs, the grant aims to enhance opportunities for young people in the community. All awarded funds must be expended by June 30, 2025.

This funding opportunity is open to publicly funded school educators, including teachers, TAs, interventionists, counselors, and principals, as well as nonprofit organizations serving youth in Durham County. Proposals must be student-centered and incorporate an equity-focused approach to education or career readiness. Eligible initiatives should align with one or more of the program’s priority areas, which include early childhood learning interventions, community and family engagement, outdoor learning spaces, social-emotional student supports, college and career readiness programming, skills-based summer activities for high school students, and professional development for teachers. While these categories are prioritized, proposals that align with the program's core goals may also be considered.

The grant awards are typically up to $5,000, with applicants requested not to allocate more than 10% of their budget to overhead costs. Each organization or school is eligible to receive only one grant, as the program aims to support a variety of projects across the community. Collaboration among schools and organizations is encouraged, as are proposals from educator teams working toward systemic, school-wide change. For educator team applications, support from the school principal must be explicitly indicated.

Applicants must include a clear proposal description, outlining the purpose and goals of their project, a detailed budget, an impact assessment specifying the number of students or families served, and contact information for up to three key staff members. A timeline for project implementation is also required. Careful attention to these details will ensure that applications meet the program’s expectations.

The grant follows a structured timeline. Applications will close on December 6, 2024, and will be reviewed between December 6 and December 20, 2024. Notifications of award decisions will be sent between January 6 and January 21, 2025, and all funds must be used by July 30, 2025, with final reporting and evaluations due by August 31, 2025.

To apply, visit the online application portal and log in or create an account if new to the platform. Navigate to the "Doing Good – Education" fund section under the “Apply” menu and complete the application. Submissions cannot be edited after being submitted, so applicants are encouraged to review their materials carefully before finalizing.

This grant program offers a valuable opportunity to support meaningful, equity-driven educational initiatives in Durham County. Applicants are encouraged to create thoughtful, detailed proposals to maximize their chances of securing funding and making a lasting impact on the community’s youth.