Ohio State Strategic Impact Grant

These grants support redevelopment opportunities that will address urban blight and building vacancies while promoting business retention and revitalization. The intention is to bring businesses and jobs as well as spur additional development in the areas that Duke Energy serves.

Given the COVID-19 crisis, the Duke Energy Foundation has adjusted funding criteria this year to help meet needs outside the urban core and provide expanded funding opportunities for economic development and small business assistance.

Application Period April 1 – June 15; grant decisions by August 30

Grant applications may include, but are not limited to, projects that: 

• Deter the decline of cities, neighborhoods and main street corridors 
• Impact job growth or retention
• Support community vitality
• Act as catalysts to spur additional commercial redevelopment activities
• Create jobs through commercial redevelopment

Grants will fund, but are not limited to:

• Predevelopment Functions
• Professional Services –architectural design and engineering services
• Environmental Services 
• Consulting Services – real estate market analysis, financial feasibility analysis
• Economic Development / Small Business Assistance
• Business coaching to address COVID-19 impacts 
• Market business districts affected by economic downturn (COVID-19)

What’s not funded:

• Organization operating funds
• Capital or endowment campaigns
• Bricks and mortar
• Equipment purchases (e.g., windows, new roof, etc.)
• Travel expenses
• Municipal street lighting projects
• Installation of underground electric service
• Streetscapes

Preferential treatment will be given to projects that:

• Serve the underserved, diverse and low-income populations
• Support minority- and female-owned businesses
• Provide assistance to organizations to help businesses recover from COVID-19

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 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