Doris Duke Foundation

The Doris Duke Foundation, Inc., formerly known as Independent Aid, Inc., was incorporated in 1934 as a philanthropic organization to operate for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. Doris Duke decided when she reached her majority to organize a foundation in order to deal with the many requests for aid addressed to her. She reasoned that a wisely selected board of directors, by reason of their broad experience, could act with her in reaching objective decisions on appeals for assistance. Doris Duke's idea at the start had been to help people to help themselves, either by offering opportunities for education or for retraining or financial assistance during a period of stress due to illness, unemployment, unexpected family burdens and the like. In October 1951, the officers of Independent Aid, Inc. voted to change its name to the Doris Duke Foundation. At the time of this change, the foundation's interests were primarily in the fields of education and welfare. It did not operate directly, but made grants to other organizations and institutions. The Doris Duke Foundation was supported directly by Doris Duke until her death in 1993. The Doris Duke Foundation continues to exist as a private grant-making entity.

From the guide to the Doris Duke Foundation records, 1934-2009 (bulk 1948-1982), (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)

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