Duke Energy Foundation, along with Duke Energy and its employees, has invested $33.8 million in nonprofit organizations since 2016 to support community resilience, emergency preparedness, and disaster relief efforts across seven states. The funding supports first responders, emergency management organizations, and various nonprofit partners in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
The grants have been used for training first responders, providing lifesaving equipment such as AEDs and drones, supporting emergency operations centers and shelters, and offering community education and storm kits for vulnerable populations including seniors and income-restricted customers. The Foundation works with state and local agencies as well as national relief organizations to tailor their support to the specific needs of each community both before and after storms.
“When disaster strikes, it’s critical that we respond quickly and show up with humanity,” said Amy Strecker, president of the Duke Energy Foundation. “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 activities include over $1 million awarded this year to North Carolina organizations focused on storm preparedness statewide and long-term recovery in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene in 2024. In South Carolina, the annual Helping Emergency Response Organizations (HERO) grant program distributed $500,000 in May 2025 for severe weather preparedness; over four years this program has provided $2 million through 137 microgrants to local agencies.
In June 2025 in Florida, $153,000 was allocated to a dozen organizations for projects like installing AEDs in high-traffic areas, expanding CPR training programs, and providing storm kits for seniors. In the Midwest this spring—covering Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky—the Foundation gave more than $47,000 to help communities recover from flooding and tornadoes by supporting nonprofits delivering essential aid.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support funded by Duke Energy shareholders. Duke Energy is one of America’s largest energy holding companies headquartered in Charlotte; its electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers across six states while its natural gas utilities reach 1.7 million customers.
More information about these initiatives can be found at https://foundation.duke-energy.com/success-in-action.
