When local communities thrive, it’s powerful. We know at the heart of many communities are grassroots efforts that have great impact.

We accept applications for Local Impact grants year-round.

Grants $10,000 and under are available in four defined areas:

• K-12 Education
• Nature
• Workforce
• State Strategic Impact 

Additional focus areas may be defined by the community relations manager in each geographic region $5,000 and under. Power for Students grants aiming to improve extracurricular activities and programs for students in underserved communities are available $5,000 and under.

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, be a governmental entity, including school systems. Governmental entities, including school systems will need to:
  
  1.  Submit an IRS letter of determination. To request an IRS letter of determination, contact the IRS at 877.829.5500 or view this sample letter
       OR
  2.  Supply a letter to the Duke Energy Foundation on their governmental / school system letterhead affirming they are a governmental entity.
• 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 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 schools or organizations that operate within an individual school. We will consider school grants at the district level.
• Sports teams or events, with the exception of Power for Students. 
• 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

APPLY FOR LOCAL IMPACT GRANT