Duke foundation offers grants to organizations improving natural places

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The Duke Energy Foundation is inviting S.C. nonprofit organizations focused on preserving and promoting the natural world to apply for grant funding to support their efforts.

In addition to the focus on preserving nature and habitats, the foundation also said a portion of its funding will be earmarked for public park and trail enhancements. Now through July 31, the foundation is inviting qualified nonprofit and government entities to submit requests up to $10,000 for funding of projects such as trail upkeep and maintenance, park beautification and safety enhancements, according to a news release.

“People are looking for mental and physical outlets in a social-distanced world and are using natural environments like parks and trails for exercise and relaxation,” Mike Callahan, Duke Energy’s S.C. president, said in the news release. “With more and more people enjoying these public spaces, we think it’s important to work alongside our community partners to ensure our communities can enjoy these beautiful places around us for years to come.”

In addition to the focus on parks and trails, grant requests also will be considered from S.C. organizations to fund environmental projects, wildlife and habitat conservation efforts and projects focused on water quality across Duke Energy’s footprint. 

The foundation funds more than $2 million annually to nonprofit organizations in South Carolina, the release said.

In addition, the foundation has focused on ways to assist customers and communities with more than $400,000 in direct COVID-19 relief in the Palmetto State, the release said. These funds support hunger relief, local health and human services, education initiatives and bill assistance for low-income customers.