Two years into the public launch of its most ambitious campaign to date, Duke University is celebrating milestone moments— raising more than $5 billion, mobilizing 40,000 volunteers and engaging nearly 70,000 alumni who had not been recently involved in the university.  

“This campaign is about translating Duke’s highest aspirations into enduring impact,” said President Vincent E. Price. “These milestones reflect the strength of Duke’s global community and our shared commitment to creating a better future. I am deeply grateful to the alumni and friends whose generosity and enthusiasm have shown that Duke is, indeed, made for this.” 

MADE FOR THIS: The Duke Campaign publicly launched in February 2025 to accelerate progress in four areas where the university can make the greatest difference: advancing innovation through science and technology, creating a more sustainable planet, shaping students as next-generation leaders and advancing health care to help communities thrive. 

In addition, for the first time in the university’s history, the campaign included a goal to re-engage 85,000 global alumni in the life of the university by encouraging them to attend events, connect digitally, give their time and talent and make a gift of any size. To date, the university is at 82% of its engagement goal with more than 10,000 alumni volunteering for the first time and more than 14,000 making their first gift. 

One of the most significant investments in its history came from The Duke Endowment of Charlotte, N.C., a private foundation that strengthens communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. The Endowment gave a $100 million centennial award to the university, in addition to other grants across Duke University and Duke Health. Its total giving to the campaign through June 30, 2026 is $736 million. 

Beyond activities at its home base in Durham, Duke has rolled out the blue carpet in cities across the globe, bringing the campaign experience to alumni and friends in San Francisco, New York City and London. Upcoming stops include Boston, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. 

“It’s been incredible to see how Duke alumni have responded,” said Dave Kennedy, vice president for alumni engagement and development. “As I’ve been out on the road talking to Duke alumni and friends, I’ve seen how eager they are to get involved and give back. They are the heart of this university—and we can’t do this without them.” 

In addition to these key milestones, Duke’s 10 schools and its world-class health system also have mobilized the alumni and donor community, resulting in meaningful gifts reflecting interdisciplinary research and innovation driving solutions to the greatest challenges of our time. Duke Health accounted for $1.6 billion of the university’s $5 billion to date.  

Mary Klotman, M.D., executive vice president for health affairs, dean of the School of Medicine, and chief academic officer of Duke Health, said the campaign will highlight Duke Health’s efforts to extend the reach of its world-class physicians, nurses and practitioners across North Carolina. Recent investments—including a $30 million, 10-year grant from the Pritzker Children’s Initiative to improve maternal and early childhood health across North Carolina, as well as a new inpatient hospital planned in Cary—will help expand access to high-quality care for patients in one of the state’s fastest-growing regions. 

“As a research-intensive academic health center, Duke is one of the very few institutions that integrates the entire spectrum of biomedical discovery, health professional training and care in one place,” said Klotman. “With the support of our partners and donors, we are building new ways to bring outstanding health expertise and innovative services to families across North Carolina and the world.” 

Recent Highlights: 

• A $30 million gift, which is a part of a $57 million total investment, named the Pierre R. Lamond Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, advancing education, research and innovation in the field. 
• A historic collective gift of $18 million provides perpetual support for first-generation, low-income students at Duke, expanding access to a Duke education and strengthening resources for students from these communities. 
• A $12 million award from The Duke Endowment endowed professorships at Duke Law School, strengthening the school’s faculty and supporting legal education and scholarship. 
• An $11.45 million award from The Fund Established by Will of Nanaline H. Duke expands the reach of physician-scientists at Duke, supporting doctors who combine clinical care with biomedical research and innovation. The fund is administered by The Duke Endowment. 
• A new climate-focused fellowship program at Duke prepares students and emerging leaders to address pressing environmental challenges, thanks to a $10.45 million gift. 
• $10 million from the Sperling Family Charitable Foundation names the Sperling Center for Jewish Studies, endowing two professorships, faculty support, graduate education and postdoctoral support and a lecture fund. 
• A $4.5 million award from The Duke Endowment funded an initiative focused on climate and health, supporting interdisciplinary work on the health effects of climate change.