Paul G. Duke Foundation

Background

A native of Warren County, Mr. Duke came to the Troy, Ohio area after World War II. He and his son, the late Richard Duke, operated a sod farm and the Duke Garden Centers in Troy and Piqua. Duke Garden Centers evolved into ChemLawn Corporation in 1968. The initial shareholders of ChemLawn were Paul and Richard Duke and a partner; its resources consisted of its shareholder-employees, one used truck, and 500 customers. Prior to its sale to Ecolab, Inc. in 1987, ChemLawn was a coast-to-coast business providing residential and commercial services for lawn, tree, and shrub care. Mr. Duke died in 1991. His wife, Geneva, died in 1994.

Patricia Duke Robinson (center) with residents at Clear Creek Farms

Today, Patricia Duke Robinson leads The Paul G. Duke Foundation, which was established by her father in 1983. Mrs. Robinson is strongly committed to carrying on her father’s philanthropic tradition of supporting nonprofit organizations primarily in Miami County, where the Duke Garden Centers originated.

One organization to benefit from this family legacy is Clear Creek Farm homes for children located in Piqua. Pictured above on the Clear Creek Farm Campus, Mrs. Robinson is joined by children who call Clear Creek Farm home. In 2007, The Paul G. Duke Foundation established two permanent designated funds at The Columbus Foundation to support Clear Creek Farms.

Grantmaking

Since its inception, the Foundation has approved grants totaling more than $15 million. The Foundation has a competitive grantmaking process with two deadlines.

Board

Patricia Duke Robinson, president; Paul A. Hanke, Esq. vice president , B. Mark Hess, M.D., vice president; Ronald B. Scott, vice president; and Thekla R. Shackelford, vice president.

Staff Contact

Interested in more information about The Paul G. Duke Foundation? Contact Tami Durrence by e-mail or at 614/251-4000.