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Small Business Impact Program

Small businesses are the heart of our communities and create opportunities for economic mobility. Duke Energy Foundation will grant $500,000 to nonprofits across North Carolina with programs that build capacity for small businesses.

Grant Program Details

  • Eligible nonprofits may apply for this $25,000 grant opportunity by October 31st at 5pm. Decisions will be communicated to selected nonprofit grantees by November 30th. Governmental entities are not eligible for this grant opportunity.
  • Nonprofit grantees may use up to $2,500 of the grant to cover the expense of program administration. Remaining funds will be distributed to local small businesses as “Impact Awards.”
  • Selected small businesses may receive an Impact Award of up to $5,000. For this program, a small business will have no more than fifty (50) employees.
  • Small businesses may utilize Impact Award funds for renovations, equipment, technology, inventory, and other assets that will expand the business’s capacity to attract customers, grow revenue, or better serve their community. Payroll, rent, and utilities are not eligible expenses.
  • Nonprofits will launch their Impact Award program for small businesses by January 15, 2026, and announce Impact Award recipients by March 30, 2026.

Qualifications

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.
  • 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.

Restrictions

Foundation grants are not available for:

  • Churches or evangelical organizations.
  • Private foundations or endowments (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.
The Foundation does not fund grants for programs and projects associated with, but not limited to, the following:
  • Projects or equipment that generate or store electricity, including generators and solar panels. Educational demonstration projects may be permissible if they do not connect to the electric grid.
  • Direct cost reduction for electric or gas service provided by Duke Energy.
  • Weatherization and energy efficiency projects that reduce energy consumption and could benefit Duke Energy’s regulatory compliance.
  • General support for emergency preparedness equipment. 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.
  • Individual K-12 schools or organizations that operate within an individual school. We will consider school grants at the district level.
  • Sports teams, athletic programs or events.
  • Religious programs, projects or activities.
  • General operating expenses.
  • Capital investments and improvements.
  • Multiple grants to the same institution in a calendar year.

Application

  • Apply here if your organization qualifies. Note: Title your application: “Small Business: *Insert description of the request*.” Incorrectly labeled applications may not be flagged and considered as part of this funding opportunity.

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