Following Doris Duke's death in 1993, her estate went into a period of litigation. Eventually, the Surrogate's Court of the County of New York appointed in 1996 the seven founding members of the DDCF’s Board of Trustees and with the approval of the New York Attorney General sanctioned the creation and configuration of the operating foundations. The Court set the Board's compensation in compliance with New York law (and in accordance with Doris Duke's will) and has subsequently approved the appointment of each additional/ successor Trustee.
The Board of Trustees meets four times per year to
review financial matters, operational issues and grant recommendations. The president maintains regular contact with trustees between meetings to keep them apprised of developments at the foundation.
In addition, four committees of the board oversee specific aspects of the foundation's activities: the Finance Committee, Audit Committee, Compensation & Benefits Committee and Investment Committee.