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:
- 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
- Supply a letter to the Duke Energy Foundation on their governmental / school system letterhead affirming they are a governmental entity and include their Federal EIN number.
- 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
