Duke Energy Foundation, together with Duke Energy and its employees, has contributed $33.8 million to nonprofit organizations since 2016 to support community resilience, emergency preparedness, and disaster relief efforts. The investments span seven states where the company operates: North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
The funding has supported a range of initiatives including training for first responders, purchasing lifesaving equipment such as AEDs and drones, establishing emergency operations centers and shelters, and providing community education and storm kits for vulnerable populations like seniors and those with limited income.
The Foundation works in partnership with state and local emergency management agencies as well as national relief organizations to tailor support based on the specific needs of each community. Support is delivered through a combination of corporate giving, employee donations, volunteer hours, and direct grants.
“When disaster strikes, it’s critical that we respond quickly and show up with humanity,” said Amy Strecker, president of the Duke Energy Foundation. “By supporting the nonprofits and first responders who stand beside our neighbors in their most difficult moments, we help ensure communities have the tools they need to respond and rebuild.”
Recent activities include awarding over $1 million in North Carolina this year for storm preparedness programs across the state and long-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene in 2024. In South Carolina, the annual Helping Emergency Response Organizations (HERO) grant program provided $500,000 in microgrants this May—bringing total support to $2 million since its inception—to aid nonprofits and local agencies focused on severe weather response.
In Florida this June, $153,000 was distributed among a dozen organizations to improve storm readiness by installing AEDs in high-traffic areas, expanding CPR training opportunities, and distributing storm kits for seniors. In the Midwest region covering Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky this spring, more than $47,000 was granted to assist communities recovering from flooding and tornadoes by supporting local nonprofits delivering aid.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides over $30 million annually in philanthropic support funded by Duke Energy shareholders. The company serves 8.6 million electric customers across six states—North Carolina, South Carolina,Florida, Indiana,Ohio,Kentucky—and 1.7 million natural gas customers across five states.
For more information about Duke Energy Foundation’s community impact programs visit foundation.duke-energy.com/success-in-action.
