Duke Energy Foundation has announced a new grant program totaling $500,000 to support small businesses in North Carolina. Nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for grants of up to $25,000, which will be distributed as awards of up to $5,000 for individual small businesses. The funds can be used by businesses such as restaurants and retail stores for renovations, equipment purchases, technology upgrades, inventory, or other business needs.
Applications for the grants are open now through October 31, 2025. Eligible nonprofits can find more information and apply through the Duke Energy Foundation’s website.
Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president, stated, “Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, especially in North Carolina where they employ nearly half of the state’s workforce. Through strategic grantmaking, the Foundation helps to stimulate local economies, create jobs and foster economic growth in the communities where Duke Energy operates.”
In 2024, twenty organizations in North Carolina received similar funding for small business support, including the Downtown Greensboro Foundation, the Durham Chamber Legacy Foundation, and the Caraway Foundation in Anson County. Since 2020, the Duke Energy Foundation has committed over $2.4 million to support small businesses across the state.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support for communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.
Duke Energy is a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Its electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers across six states and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in five states. The company is currently investing in grid upgrades and cleaner energy generation.
For more information about the grant program or Duke Energy’s activities, visit duke-energy.com or the Duke Energy News Center.
Contact: Garrett Poorman
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
X/Twitter: @DukeEnergyNC
