Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation have awarded $180,000 in grants to five organizations that focus on cultural, educational, and leadership programs for Hispanic and Latino communities. This year’s contributions bring the company’s total investment in Hispanic and Latino initiatives in Florida to $1.2 million since 2016.
The grants are intended to support a variety of projects, including college scholarships, professional development workshops aimed at workforce entry, cultural events that celebrate heritage and leadership, and other community-focused efforts.
The recipients of this year’s funding include Prospera Florida, which will receive $50,000 to assist Hispanic small business owners with legal, financial, and capital guidance. The grant will also help Prospera offer bilingual education programs and technical assistance.
Another $50,000 is allocated to the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando Inc., increasing the number of college scholarships available for Hispanic and Latino students while expanding professional development opportunities.
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando will use its $50,000 grant to support the Don Quixote Awards Ball. This event recognizes individuals who demonstrate qualities associated with Don Quijote.
A grant of $25,000 was awarded to the Hispanic Heritage Network of Orange County Inc. for events during Hispanic Heritage Month as well as ongoing cultural and leadership activities. Part of this funding will go toward The Speakers Bureau pilot program designed to help Spanish-speaking county employees better serve multilingual residents.
The Latina Leadership Development Program run by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida Foundation received $5,000. The program aims to provide Latina entrepreneurs with resources such as marketing tools, technology training for business growth, finance management instruction, and more.
Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida said: “Our communities thrive when we support those around us. We’re honored to invest in organizations that advance educational and professional development opportunities. Our shared goal is to see the communities we serve flourish.”
Carolin Requiz Smith, executive director at the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando Inc., added: “We are proud to recognize the Duke Energy Foundation for their generous $50,000 gift to our scholarship fund, a contribution that will directly expand educational and professional opportunities for talented Hispanic and Latino students in our community. This meaningful support allows us to award more scholarships and provide critical resources to help students on their path to successful, fulfilling careers. Our partnership with Duke Energy is a powerful example of how collaboration can create lasting, positive change.”
The Duke Energy Foundation provides over $30 million annually in philanthropic support funded by company shareholders across areas where its customers live and work.
Duke Energy is one of America’s largest energy holding companies serving electric customers across several states including North Carolina, South Carolina,Florida, Indiana,Ohio, and Kentucky.Its natural gas utilities also serve parts of Tennessee.Duke Energy Florida supplies electricity to two million customers within a 13,000-square-mile area.
