Nature Grants

We are committed to investing resources and working alongside our community partners to ensure future generations enjoy the immeasurable benefits of the nature around us. 

Application period open May 1 – July 31; grant decisions by Sept. 30 

These grants support:

• Water quality, quantity, conservation and access
• Habitat and forest restoration and conservation
• Species conservation 

• 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

• 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.

• 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