Two Triangle Foundations Partner to Fund Triangle Non-Profits During Harrowing Times

Durham, NC – The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation (MDBF) and the Jenny Lillian Semans Koortbojian Trust (JLSKT) partnered to provide $50,000 to five organizations in the Triangle. These organizations provide food and other emergency assistance to families that have been severely impacted by the pandemic over the past several months. The grantees are Chatham Solidarity Fund, Chatham Outreach Alliance, Inter-faith Council for Social Service of Orange County, Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church/Walltown Neighborhood Ministries/Iglesia Emmanuel, and Urban Ministries all in Durham County.

These groups were selected because of their work and successful history meeting urgent needs. The grants are unrestricted support to assist these community-based organizations that work directly with people and allow these non-profits to tailor support as needed.

“While the foundation typically makes grants to support K-12 education and arts organizations in the Triangle, we know that many people and families in our communities are hurting, and we knew we needed to help. The Trust joined us in this effort, doubling the amount of funding,” said Mimi O’Brien, MDBF Executive Director.

In 2020, the JLSKT donated $110,000 and the Biddle Foundation $200,000 to provide operating support to area nonprofits to assist them during the pandemic. In addition to the organizations listed above, grants were made to the African American Dance Ensemble, Chatham Education Foundation, Chatham Arts Council, Durham Arts Council, Durham Children’s Initiative, Hayti Heritage Center, TheGifted Arts, the Hispanic Liaison of Chatham County, Orange County Artist Relief Fund, NorthStar Church of the Arts, Student U, and Walltown Children’s Theatre. These funds are in addition to the Biddle Foundation’s regular grantmaking in the arts and K-12 education and to Duke University.

Mary Duke Biddle Foundation

Established in 1956, The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation supports the arts and K-12 education in Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties, as well as Duke University.

Jenny Lillian Semans Koortbojian Trust 

Jenny Semans Koortbojian was a granddaughter of Mary Duke Biddle and a life-long resident of Durham before passing away in 2016. Her Trust and the Biddle Foundation have partnered on a number of grants since 2017.