Doris Duke Foundation

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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)

Independent Aid, Inc. was the first charitable foundation established by Doris Duke, daughter of businessman and philanthropist James Buchanan (J.B.) Duke. It was incorporated in Delaware in October, 1934. Although Miss Duke had limited direct involvement with Independent Aid, its disbursements reflected her persistent interests in the welfare of women and children, education, social work and mental health, and early family planning efforts. The foundation's daily operations were administered largely by Marian Paschal, who served as Secretary until her death in 1946, and by her successor, Georgea T. Furst. Independent Aid, Inc. became the Doris Duke Foundation in 1951.

From the description of Inventory of the Independent Aid, Inc. records, 1934-1954. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 701731772

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. 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.

From the description of Doris Duke Foundation Records, 1934-2009 (bulk 1948-1982) (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 757754932

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Doris Duke Foundation. [Annual reports], 1934- Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, IUPUI
creatorOf Doris Duke Foundation. Inventory of the Independent Aid, Inc. records, 1934-1954. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
creatorOf Doris Duke Foundation. American Indian Oral History Collection, 1967-1972 [microform]. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
referencedIn American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions archives, 1810-1961. Houghton Library
referencedIn New York Shakespeare Festival records The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Ibrahim Farrah papers, 1895-1998, 1967-1997 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
creatorOf Doris Duke Foundation records, 1934-2009 (bulk 1948-1982) David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn Lafferty, Bernard, 1945-1996. Bernard Lafferty Papers, 1952-1999 (bulk 1993-1996) Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
creatorOf Doris Duke Foundation. American Indian Oral History Collection, 1967-1972. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
creatorOf Doris Duke Foundation. Doris Duke Foundation Records, 1934-2009 (bulk 1948-1982) Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
creatorOf Farrah, Ibrahim. Ibrahim Farrah papers, 1895-1998 (bulk 1967-1997) New York Public Library System, NYPL
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. corporateBody
associatedWith Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. corporateBody
associatedWith Duke, Doris, 1912-1993. person
associatedWith Farrah, Ibrahim. person
associatedWith Lafferty, Bernard, 1945-1996. person
associatedWith New York Shakespeare Festival corporateBody
associatedWith Papp, Joseph person
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York (State)
Subject
Endowments
Endowments
Endowments
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1934

Active 2009

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