Giving

students in action at the Nicholas School

Getting to a more sustainable future will not be easy. The threats faced by current and future generations are monumental. Climate change is altering our environment and disrupting crucial food and water systems. Pollutants have found their way into every corner of the Earth. And natural resources are straining under ever-increasing demands from our growing populations.

To stop destructive processes and create sustainable solutions, we need knowledge, vision and leadership.

We need to be bold. And we need your help.

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Want the biggest change for your buck?

Let's talk strategy. Whether you're an individual, corporation, or foundation, there are many ways you can get involved.

Individual Giving

Everything we do at the Nicholas School—even the school’s very existence—is made possible through the generosity of individuals, couples and families who share our environmental ethos.

Corporate Giving

The Nicholas School benefits from partnerships with the business sector in a myriad of ways, including sponsored research support, internships and career opportunities for our students, along with exposure to real-world practices, and philanthropy.

Foundation Giving

Partnerships between the Nicholas School and foundations can have powerful impacts on discovery, innovation and leadership in the environmental realm, providing value for society as a whole and helping both organizations achieve our goals.

collage of teaching activities at Nicholas School

Leadership Gift Societies

Our leadership donors consist of a community of alumni, parents and friends who support the school’s mission in a shared vision to surpass the challenges that stand before us today and in the future. While gifts of every size advance our efforts, our leadership gift societies recognize those who go the extra mile to make an investment in tomorrow’s leaders.

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Why Give?

Educating Tomorrow's Leaders

At the Nicholas School, we don’t just prepare our students to get jobs—we prepare them to change the world. Our unique, immersive curriculum gives students the hands-on experience they need to think on their feet and turn vision into reality, whatever their field. Find out how the Gallegos family chose to give back to the Nicholas School in an effort to help our future environmentalists>>

Research to Solve Problems

From conducting basic studies on environmental processes to inventing new tools and technologies, Nicholas School faculty are devoted to addressing the most pressing environmental problems of today—and tomorrow.

Making Every Dollar Count

We take seriously our responsibility to make the most of the contributions that sustain our programs. Through close partnerships among our internal leadership, staff, faculty and funders, we strategically manage our investments to balance short-term needs with long-term vision.

Whether you’re an alum, individual donor, corporation or foundation, we’ll help you find the giving strategy that matches your passions and goals. We also hope you’ll take advantage of the many ways to engage with the Nicholas School, from attending events to interacting with current students to connecting with alumni.

Forging Future Leaders Together

The Nicholas School Financial Aid Initiative is a $25 million fundraising effort to increase the total amount of private tuition support awarded to Nicholas students. Building a more robust pool of financial aid resources will enable the Nicholas School to close the gap between the cost of the school’s degree programs and students’ own financial resources.

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Alum Gives Back to Provide Opportunities for Others

Niles Barnes, DEL-MEM’14, donates to the Nicholas School because it prepared him for a career finding climate solutions. “I want to share in those opportunities for others to benefit,” he said.

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Opening Doors for Aspiring Environmental Leaders

Funded by five endowments and the Nicholas School’s Annual Fund, the Nicholas Scholars program awards scholarships covering up to two-thirds of tuition to as many as 15 of the most highly qualified Master of Environmental Management (MEM) or Master of Forestry (MF) applicants each year.

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30 Research Breakthroughs Duke Environment Magazine Fall 2021 issue

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Celebrating 30 Years of Impact at the Nicholas School

Duke Environment Magazine celebrates the Nicholas School’s 30th anniversary with a collection of 30 remarkable discoveries, innovations, and research initiatives that illustrate the breadth and depth of our faculty’s expertise and its far-reaching impacts. The magazine also honors teaching and outreach work spanning back three decades.

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Celebrating Ten Years of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

In the ten years since the Nicholas School ventured into the world of high-tech innovation and impact investing, efforts have funded numerous student-led start-ups and created new internship and networking opportunities for students.

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Gift Helps Establish Exposomics Lab

Because of you, we can continue important research into the emerging field of exposomics, which looks at the cumulative effect of environmental contaminants on human health.

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with gratitude

Thank You to Our Loyal Supporters

With grateful appreciation, we recognize our leadership donors and committed Nicholas School alumni who have engaged in the Go·Grow·Give program during the previous academic year.

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Featured giving opportunity

In January 2020 the newest Marine Lab research and teaching vessel, R/V Shearwater, set sail en route to Miami in celebration of its launch. The “Get On Board” campaign is an opportunity for you to invest in Education, Oceanographic Research and Community Outreach. By naming a part of the R/V Shearwater, you’ll help to make a number of things possible!

Learn more about Shearwater giving opportunities >

Contact Us

Please reach out to our Office of Development & Alumni Relations to discuss giving options and find the best fit for you.

Kevin McCarthy, Associate Dean
(919) 613-8003
kevin.p.mccarthy@duke.edu