Duke Energy Foundation awards $240,000 in grants

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The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded more than $240,000 in grants to five S.C. organizations focused on building and enhancing strategic engineering initiatives to grow the energy industry's workforce.

The grants were awarded to the Associated Industries of South Carolina Foundation, Florence County School District 2, the town of Summerton, S.C. Independent Colleges and Universities and Francis Marion University, according to a news release.

“We have a long history of targeting investments to have the greatest impact for our communities,” Mike Callahan, South Carolina state president for Duke Energy, said in the news release. “This year has proven a challenge for many education organizations and programs across the state. That's why it is even more critical today to continue that tradition and help strengthen the workforce pipeline needed to fuel the Palmetto State's economic engine now and in the years to come.”

The Duke Energy 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. These funds support hunger relief, local health and human services, education initiatives and bill assistance for low-income customers.

The Duke Energy Foundation was established to provide philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. Duke Energy is based in Charlotte.