Duke Energy Foundation and the Tampa Bay Rays have jointly donated $82,000 to help Florida residents pay their energy bills. The donation is tied to the Rays’ performance during the 2025 regular season, with $1,000 contributed for each win.
The funds will be distributed through Duke Energy’s Share the Light Fund, which supports community agencies providing utility bill assistance to customers in need. Grants were presented to 14 agencies during the Rays’ final home game of the season.
Melissa Seixas, state president of Duke Energy Florida, said: “While rates will decrease for Duke Energy Florida customers in March 2026, we understand many are still facing financial challenges and may have difficulty paying their bills. We remain committed to our customers and providing them with above-and-beyond service, so we appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the Tampa Bay Rays, once again, to help connect them to the individualized support they need, when they need it most.”
The Share the Light Fund helps income-restricted Duke Energy customers cover utility expenses such as electricity and natural gas. Each year, donations are matched by Duke Energy Foundation up to $500,000.
Rays President Brian Auld stated: “The Tampa Bay Rays, like Duke Energy, prioritize contributions that support our community’s needs. We are proud to continue this meaningful partnership and help Tampa Bay area residents – and all Floridians – manage their energy costs and power their lives.”
All money received by Share the Light is given directly to social service agencies like United Way and Tampa Bay 2-1-1 for distribution among those in need. In 2025 alone, more than $491,000 has already been distributed through this program.
Customers seeking assistance can find resources at duke-energy.com/ShareTheLight.
Duke Energy Foundation provides over $30 million annually in philanthropic support across its service areas. The foundation is funded by shareholders of Duke Energy.
Duke Energy serves about 8.6 million electric customers across six states and operates a total energy capacity of 55,100 megawatts nationwide. Its subsidiary Duke Energy Florida supplies electricity to approximately two million customers throughout a large part of Florida.
The Tampa Bay Rays organization emphasizes building strong community ties through charitable work since joining Major League Baseball in 1998.
