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Duke Energy Hometown Revitalization Grant Applications Due May 31

Phyllis Coley @phyllis_coley

CHARLOTTE, NC – The pandemic has challenged many small businesses across Duke Energy’s NC service territory as they pivot to accommodate the changing environment. In order to meaningfully address our NC community needs, the Duke Energy Foundation developed a $500,000 grant program to provide Hometown Revitalization Grants in 20 communities across the state. Each community will be awarded $25,000 via a partnership with a local 501c3 nonprofit, and the funds will be used to support small businesses.

The 501c3 organization will apply to the Duke Energy Foundation for the $25,000 grant via the application available at www.duke-energy.com/Hometown.

If awarded a Hometown Revitalization grant, the nonprofit grantee will establish a small business support microgrant program to deploy the funding to their local small business community.

Guiding principles for nonprofits applying to Duke Energy Foundation

  • Applicants must:
    • Have current tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Governmental entities are not eligible for this grant opportunity.
    • Serve communities that are also served by Duke Energy.
    • Serve communities without discrimination against any individual on the basis of race, creed, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, or national origin.
    • Have a method by which to measure, track and report one or more program outcomes and specific results that demonstrate measurable community impact.
  • Grant awards will be for $25,000, and the administering nonprofit may use $2,500 of the grant award to cover the expense of program administration.
  • The proposed grant program must address a single downtown region.
  • The Duke Energy local district manager and Duke Energy Foundation staff will support the administering nonprofit by helping to establish a small business support program appropriate for the region.
  • Small business support awards made by the administering nonprofit may range from $500 to $2,500 to any individual small business.
  • Administering nonprofit grantee recipients will be notified of their awards from Duke Energy Foundation by July 31, 2021. The small business support programs must be launched by Sept. 30, 2021, and announce their small business support award recipients by Nov. 30, 2021.

Guiding principles for grantee nonprofits deploying programs to small businesses

  • Small business support awards will focus on businesses with <50 employees.
  • Small business support awards are intended to help small businesses recover or “pivot” as a result of COVID19. A pivot may include adding enhanced service or commerce opportunities for the business to adjust to the effects of the crises, such as modifying physical space, improving an e-commerce site for online sales, or expanding capacity for delivering goods and services. Some expenditures may include furniture for expanded outdoor dining, materials for construction of takeout windows, accessibility compliance for additional outdoor seating, additional fixtures required for compliance with public health issues, and building of e-commerce platforms, as well as other equipment or tools needed for creative adaptation and pivoting of businesses.
  • Payroll, rent, and utilities are excluded.
  • The small business support awards may be used to reimburse small businesses for expenses already incurred.
  • Small business support awards may also support storefront beautification projects, but COVID- 19 recovery projects will be prioritized.

How to apply

Hometown Revitalization Grant Application period open April 1 – May 31; grant decisions by July 31. Apply at www.duke-energy.com/Hometown.

Questions? Contact your local Duke Energy district manager, or send an email to CommunityAffairs@duke-energy.com.