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Duke Energy Foundation's Impact on Community Resilience

Duke Energy and its Foundation have showcased a remarkable commitment to community resilience, having invested approximately $33.8 million in nonprofit organizations dedicated to disaster preparedness and recovery since 2016. As the anniversaries of hurricanes Helene and Milton prompt reflection, this investment underscores the importance of supporting local communities in times of need.

Supporting Communities Across Multiple States

The funds allocated by Duke Energy have been directed towards numerous initiatives across its service areas, which include North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The Foundation has worked tirelessly to tailor its support to meet the unique needs of each community, ensuring a proactive response both during and after natural disasters.

Key Areas of Support

Through a combination of corporate donations, employee contributions, and volunteer efforts, the grants provided by Duke Energy Foundation focus on several crucial areas:

1. Training for First Responders: Ensuring that local emergency personnel are well-prepared to handle crises effectively.
2. Life-Saving Equipment: Funding the purchase of vital equipment, such as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and drones, that can enhance emergency response capabilities.
3. Emergency Centers and Shelters: Developing infrastructure for community resilience by establishing emergency operations centers and safe shelters.
4. Community Education: Launching educational programs and distributing storm kits to vulnerable populations, particularly targeting seniors and low-income families.

Collaborative Efforts for Enhanced Readiness

Duke Energy Foundation collaborates with state and local emergency management agencies, national relief organizations, and community nonprofits to create a cohesive response strategy. Amy Strecker, president of the Duke Energy Foundation, emphasizes the necessity of a prompt and humane response when disasters occur. This partnership aims to equip communities with the resources required to rebound from adversities and reinforces the sense of solidarity during challenging times.

Recent Projects Making a Difference

Recent initiatives funded by the Foundation highlight the ongoing efforts to enhance disaster readiness across its service areas:

• - Storm Preparedness in North Carolina: This year, over $1 million was granted to local organizations aimed at bolstering storm preparedness and long-term recovery following Hurricane Helene in 2024.
• - Annual Microgrants in South Carolina: The Foundation has committed $500,000 through its Helping Emergency Response Organizations (HERO) grant program to strengthen emergency preparedness across South Carolina. This annual initiative has dispensed a total of $2 million over its four-year duration, supporting 137 microgrants.
• - Support for Florida's Storm Readiness: In June, funding totaling $153,000 was dedicated to various Florida organizations to enhance storm readiness initiatives, including the installation of AEDs in public locations and CPR training sessions.
• - Relief in the Midwest: Earlier this year, over $47,000 was disbursed in grants to aid communities in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky affected by severe flooding and tornadoes.

The Foundation's Commitment to Community Impact

Duke Energy Foundation stands as a pillar of support for communities across the states served, providing essential resources and guidance to navigate through disasters. Their consistent efforts in funding over $30 million annually highlight a significant dedication to enhancing community resilience and ensuring citizens have access to the necessary tools to respond and recover successfully.

To learn more about the impact and ongoing efforts of the Duke Energy Foundation, visit foundation.duke-energy.com/success-in-action.

Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the largest energy holding companies in America, serving millions of customers and playing a pivotal role in the ongoing energy transition focused on reliability and cleaner generation.