Grant Opportunities
The Duke Energy Foundation is focused on strengthening and uplifting communities with grant funding. We accept grant applications for $20,000 and less throughout the year on a rolling basis for the focus areas describe below.
Vibrant Economies- Workforce development training for jobs vital to the energy economy
- Community revitalization and local economic development efforts
- Economic recovery for customers and communities facing unprecedented challenges
- Energy and engineering education for K-12 students and teachers
- Environmental projects supporting land conservation; clean water; and biodiversity of plant and animal species
- Resiliency projects that prepare communities for and mitigate against the effects of climate change
- Natural disaster preparedness and response programming
- Projects strengthening thriving natural environments, including access to green space, in historically underserved communities
- Programs supporting a just transition for communities moving toward cleaner energy infrastructure
- Initiatives supporting upward mobility for families and individuals in the communities we serve
- Programs reducing structural barriers and promoting access to opportunity for underserved communities
To qualify for grant funding consideration, your organization must meet the following criteria:
- Have current, tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code or be a governmental entity, including school districts.
- Governmental entities will need to submit a W9
- Serve communities that are also served by Duke Energy.
- Serve communities without discrimination against any individual on the basis of race, creed, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation or national origin.
- Have a method by which to measure, track and report one or more program outcomes and specific results that demonstrate measurable community impact.
Foundation grant support is not available for:
- Churches or evangelical organizations.
- Private foundations (including private operating foundations).
- Foreign organizations.
- For-profit organizations.
- Individuals.
- Organizations with a substantial purpose of influencing any political, legislative or regulatory cause, including 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), or similar organizations.
- Nonprofit organizations that are not tax exempt under Code section 501(a).
- Fraternal, veteran or labor membership organizations serving only the members of that organization.
- Organizations offering or providing either Duke Energy Corporation, the Duke Energy Foundation, or their respective officers or employees any benefit from the grant.
- Nonprofit organizations that are opposing or intervening parties (or that fund any such parties) in any proceeding in which Duke Energy is a party, or that fund or produce negative advertisements against Duke Energy, or actively oppose Duke Energy on social media.
- Individual K-12 schools or organizations that operate within an individual school. We will consider school grants at the district level.
- Sports teams or events.
- Religious programs, projects or activities.
- Direct cost reduction for electric or gas service provided by Duke Energy.
- External fundraising campaigns or events.
- General operating expenses.
- Capital investments and improvements.
- Endowments or other foundations.
- Multiple grants to the same institution in a calendar year.
- The purchase or installation of any solar panel projects that connect to the electric grid.
- General support for emergency preparedness equipment. Our regular funding focuses on preparedness and response programs, however Duke Energy Foundation will occasionally consider support of emergency preparedness equipment as part of prescriptive request for proposals (RFP) opportunities and not part of our open grants process.
These documents are intended to help answer your questions regarding the grant application process and provide useful information on crafting a successful grant application.
- Funding Guidelines
- Potential Grant Programs
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Grant System Sign In
- Link provides log in access to the following: online grant application, impact report submission and grant payment information.
- Grant System Registration Instructions
- Instructions on how to create an account in the grant management system and begin your application.
- Benevity Registration and Vetting
- Learn how your organization is verified with our 3rd party vendor.
- Grant Question Download
- Downloadable word document to help prepare and complete a grant application.
- Grant Application Step By Step Instructions
- A visual guide to assist in the completion of a grant application
- Grant Budget Template Spreadsheet
- How to Complete Impact Report
Grant System Sign In
The online grant management system allows you to submit a grant application and impact report, review your organization’s previous applications and track grant payments.
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