Duke Energy Foundation, along with Duke Energy and its employees, has contributed $33.8 million to nonprofit organizations since 2016 to support community resilience, emergency preparedness, and disaster relief efforts across seven states. The funding has been used for a variety of initiatives, including training first responders, providing lifesaving equipment such as AEDs and drones, supporting emergency operations centers and shelters, and distributing storm kits to vulnerable populations like seniors and low-income residents.
The Foundation collaborates with state and local emergency management agencies, national relief organizations, and community nonprofits to tailor support based on the specific needs of each community. This assistance is made possible through corporate giving, employee donations, volunteer hours, and direct grants.
Amy Strecker, president of the Duke Energy Foundation, stated: “When disaster strikes, it’s critical that we respond quickly and show up with humanity. By supporting the nonprofits and first responders who stand beside our neighbors in their most difficult moments, we help ensure communities have the tools they need to respond and rebuild.”
Recent efforts include over $1 million awarded this year to North Carolina organizations focused on storm preparedness and long-term recovery after Hurricane Helene in 2024. In South Carolina, the annual Helping Emergency Response Organizations (HERO) grant program provided $500,000 in May 2025 for severe weather emergency preparedness; since its inception four years ago, HERO has delivered $2 million through 137 microgrants statewide.
In Florida this June, $153,000 was allocated to a dozen organizations for projects such as installing AEDs in public spaces and expanding CPR training programs. Additionally, more than $47,000 was granted this spring to aid communities in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky recovering from flooding and tornadoes.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides over $30 million annually in philanthropic support funded by Duke Energy shareholders. Duke Energy serves electric customers across six states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio,and Kentucky—and natural gas customers in five states including Tennessee.
More information about these initiatives can be found at https://foundation.duke-energy.com/success-in-action.
For further details about Duke Energy’s operations or energy transition investments—including grid upgrades and cleaner generation—visit https://www.duke-energy.com or access company news at https://news.duke-energy.com/.
“When disaster strikes,” said Amy Strecker,“it’s critical that we respond quickly and show up with humanity. By supporting the nonprofits and first responders who stand beside our neighbors in their most difficult moments,we help ensure communities have the tools they need to respond and rebuild.”
###
