The Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of Duke Energy, strategically investing in the communities where the utility's customers and employees reside across its service territories, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Its overarching mission is to foster thriving communities by addressing critical local needs and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

The Foundation's funding priorities are diverse, encompassing K-12 education, workforce development, and a broad spectrum of community impact initiatives. These impact areas include environmental stewardship, economic development, arts and culture, and support for basic needs. This comprehensive approach underscores the Foundation's commitment to fostering holistic community well-being, recognizing that interconnected issues often require multifaceted solutions.

As a significant philanthropic entity, the Duke Energy Foundation demonstrates substantial financial commitment to its mission. In 2023 alone, the Foundation provided more than $37 million in charitable grants, supporting a wide array of non-profit organizations. This funding spans from local grassroots efforts addressing immediate community challenges to larger, strategic partnerships aimed at long-term systemic change. For instance, a recent initiative saw the Foundation award over $1.8 million to 11 organizations dedicated to environmental protection and restoration, highlighting its capacity for substantial programmatic support in key focus areas.

While grant sizes vary considerably depending on the specific program, recipient, and scope of the project, the Foundation typically offers grants ranging from smaller community-focused awards to more significant commitments for strategic initiatives. They often operate through specific grant cycles and requests for proposals (RFPs), aligning their funding with identified community priorities and Duke Energy's broader corporate social responsibility goals. Organizations seeking support are encouraged to review the Foundation's specific program guidelines to understand eligibility and typical funding ranges.