The Duke Energy Foundation announced on Mar. 19 that it will provide $500,000 in grants to support local storm preparedness and emergency readiness initiatives across North Carolina.
The funding aims to help communities better prepare for severe weather, natural disasters, and emergency response challenges by supporting nonprofit and government organizations. The initiative comes as North Carolina continues to experience increasingly frequent and severe storms, highlighting the need for improved training, coordination, and resources to ensure effective preparation, response, and recovery.
Eligible organizations can apply for grants of up to $25,000 through April 30 via the Duke Energy Foundation’s website. The company reports that since 2016 it has invested $11.4 million in the state’s storm preparedness and recovery efforts. These investments are part of Duke Energy’s ongoing commitment to community safety, resilience, and disaster readiness.
Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy North Carolina state president, said: “Storm preparedness is really about people – making sure communities have what they need before disaster strikes. By supporting local partners who know their communities best, these grants help close critical gaps in readiness, improve coordination during severe weather and enable communities to recover faster.”
Don Mial, Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair and a 2025 grant recipient, said: “Emergency preparedness starts at the individual level. When all residents have access to the resources that will keep them safe during a crisis or natural disaster, our whole community becomes more resilient. We are incredibly grateful to our partners at the Duke Energy Foundation for supporting this important work by investing in equity and safety in Wake County.”
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support funded by Duke Energy shareholders. Duke Energy serves millions of electric and natural gas customers across several states while investing in grid upgrades and cleaner energy generation.
