South Carolina H.E.R.O. Grants

When severe weather impacts communities across South Carolina, Duke Energy works alongside local emergency management agencies and first responders – heroes in our communities for their efforts to restore life back to normal after severe weather events bring chaos and destruction. You don’t have to look hard for recent examples of this cooperation and support, as historic weather events have recently brought a major hurricane to the foothills and even snow to the beaches.

To help rebuild capacity for these organizations and prepare for future impacts from severe weather, the Duke Energy Foundation is seeking applications for the 2025 Helping Emergency Response Organizations (H.E.R.O.) Grant Program. In its fourth year, this $500,000 microgrant program will invest in emergency preparedness organizations across South Carolina to increase their resiliency to major weather events through advanced preparation, planning, equipment and training.

Application period

Application period March 19-April 25
Grant review April 26-May 20
Grants announced May 29

Opportunity

Grants will support natural disaster preparedness, response and resiliency. Successful applications will request funding to address this question: “During recent historic weather events, what did your organization identify that could have helped you prepare for, respond to or recover from the natural disaster?” Grant applications may include, but are not limited to, projects that focus on:

Specialized training for first responders for severe weather scenarios
Organized planning initiatives for communities to prepare for extreme weather
Equipment necessary for severe weather rescues
Community storm preparedness trainings, materials, kits or shelters
Emergency communication tools for severe weather scenarios
Collaborative efforts/applications across agencies, sectors and communities

All regions of the state are eligible to apply, priority will be given to areas served by Duke Energy. Communities impacted by recent severe weather and programs serving low-income communities will also be given priority. Applicants may request funds up to $20,000. Qualified nonprofits and governmental entities are eligible to apply.

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
- 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
- Organizations with a substantial purpose of influencing any political, legislative or regulatory cause
- 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:
- 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 natural gas service provided by Duke Energy
- External fundraising campaigns or events
- General operating expenses
- Capital investments and improvements
- Endowments or other foundations

Opportunity

Application and Contact

Qualifications

Restrictions

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