Duke Energy announces $1 million in grant opportunities to power storm resiliency in N.C. communities

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- After a year of record-setting weather events ? from tornadoes and flooding to ice storms and hurricanes ? the Duke Energy Foundation today announced $1 million in funding to help North Carolina communities increase their resiliency to these major weather events with advanced preparation and planning through the Powerful Communities: Storm Resiliency grant program.

"Duke Energy stands with our communities as they recover from the devastation of recent storms, and we want to help them become more resilient to the impacts of future storms," said Stephen De May, North Carolina president, Duke Energy.   

The grant application is open now through June 15 and is available at duke-energy.com/foundation ? use the invitation code 9344WNV98Z to apply. This is a one-time-only opportunity to apply for up to $50,000 in Storm Resiliency grants, as part of the Foundation's annual State Strategic Impact grant cycle. Grant applications may include, but are not limited to, projects that focus on:

• Specialized training for first responders for severe weather scenarios.
• Organized planning initiatives for communities to prepare for extreme weather.
• Equipment necessary for severe weather rescues to preserve human life.
• Community storm preparedness training, materials, kits or shelters.
• Emergency communication tools for severe weather scenarios.
• Improved outcomes for low-income communities experiencing extreme weather.

All regions of the state served by Duke Energy Carolinas or Duke Energy Progress are eligible to apply, and communities impacted by severe weather in recent years will be given priority. Both nonprofits and governmental entities are eligible to apply.

Grant decisions will be made in August. Please visit duke-energy.com/foundation and select State Strategic Impact for more information.

Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of communities where its customers live and work. The Foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts. More information about the Duke Energy Foundation and its Powerful Communities program can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation.

The Duke Energy Foundation is solely funded by Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE: DUK) shareholder dollars.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing its energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2018 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' 2018 "America's Best Employers" list.

More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: Meredith Archie
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SOURCE Duke Energy