Duke Energy Foundation, along with Duke Energy and its employees, has invested $33.8 million since 2016 to support community resilience, emergency preparedness, and disaster relief efforts across seven states. The funding has been directed toward nonprofit organizations working in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
The grants have supported a range of initiatives including training for first responders, providing lifesaving equipment such as AEDs and drones, establishing emergency operations centers and shelters, and distributing storm kits to vulnerable populations like seniors and low-income residents. These efforts are carried out through partnerships with state and local emergency management agencies as well as national relief organizations.
Amy Strecker, president of the Duke Energy Foundation said: “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.”
In North Carolina this year alone, more than $1 million was awarded to organizations focused on storm preparedness statewide and long-term recovery in western parts of the state following 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; over four years this program has delivered $2 million through 137 microgrants.
Florida saw $153,000 allocated in June to strengthen storm readiness by installing AEDs in public areas, expanding CPR training programs, and supplying storm kits for seniors. In the Midwest—specifically Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky—the Foundation distributed more than $47,000 this spring to aid communities 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 8.6 million electric customers across six states with a total energy capacity of 55,100 megawatts; its natural gas utilities serve an additional 1.7 million customers across five states.
For further information about these initiatives or other community impact stories from Duke Energy Foundation visit https://foundation.duke-energy.com/success-in-action.
