Duke Energy Foundation

Duke Energy Foundation is a US private foundation based in Charlotte, NC.

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds community organisations to build vibrant economies, strengthen local resiliency and promote community opportunity. Its support focuses on workforce development for energy-related jobs, local revitalisation and economic development, and economic recovery for customers and communities facing hardship. It also backs disaster preparedness, projects that mitigate extreme weather, conservation, clean water and healthy ecosystems. Its community opportunity work includes upward economic mobility for families and individuals, reducing barriers to opportunity for people experiencing financial need and helping communities move towards modern energy infrastructure. Eligible applicants are public charities and governmental entities, including school districts, serving communities also served by Duke Energy. Applicants are expected to measure and report programme outcomes and specific results demonstrating community impact.

Themes

• Vibrant economies
• Local resiliency
• Community opportunity

Geographic Focus

No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Delaware, North Carolina and Florida.

What They Don't Fund

• Churches or evangelical organizations
• Private foundations or endowments (including private operating foundations)
• Foreign organizations
• For-profit organizations
• Individuals
• Organizations with a substantial purpose of influencing any political, legislative or regulatory cause, including 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), or similar organizations
• Nonprofit organizations that are not tax exempt under Code section 501(a)
• 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
• Projects or equipment that generate or store electricity, including generators and solar panels. Educational demonstration projects may be permissible if they do not connect to the electric grid
• Direct cost reduction for electric or gas service provided by Duke Energy
• Weatherization and energy efficiency projects that reduce energy consumption and could benefit Duke Energy’s regulatory compliance
• Individual K-12 schools or organizations that operate within an individual school. We will consider school grants at the district level
• Sports teams, athletic programs or events
• Religious programs, projects or activities
• General operating expenses
• Capital investments and improvements
• Multiple grants to the same institution in a calendar year
• open grants process only: General support for emergency preparedness equipment

Organisations should contact their state representative to discuss the proposal and its alignment with a focus area before submitting online. Open applications for $20,000 and less are accepted throughout the year; proposals should explain the project’s intent and need and quantify results. Criteria and timing vary by state, while RFP opportunities are announced publicly. Staff vet the organisation and may ask questions.

• Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 97% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
• Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 5,348 grants to organisations were about $120 or less.

What the foundation says:

• Proposals should align with a Foundation focus area.
• Applicants must be able to measure and report programme outcomes and specific results demonstrating community impact.