(PLAINFIELD) – The Duke Energy Foundation has announced the recipients of more than $200,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations in Indiana committed to social justice and racial equity, part of an overall $1 million companywide commitment.
In a first for the company, Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas tapped its Advocates for African Americans (A3), an employee-led resource group, as well as other diversity and inclusion councils to help identify and determine which organizations in each state should be considered to receive support.
“I am excited to know that Duke Energy is leaning heavily on A3’s input on where to direct these social justice grants,” said Dwayne Wright, president of the Indiana chapter of Duke Energy’s employee resource group Advocates for African Americans. “It shows that Duke Energy trusts and values the feedback of their African American employees. I am fortunate to work for a company that takes this seriously.”
One example of an organization receiving support in Indiana is New Direction S.A.V.E.S., helping teens and families with employability and life skills training in order to build safe and stable communities.
“S.A.V.E.S. is partnering with other organizations that serve Indianapolis’s east side, to bring holistic and multifaceted support to these families who have shown so much strength,” said Tiffany Jackson, board chair, New Direction S.A.V.E.S. “This generous gift from Duke Energy allows us to begin the program implementation phase earlier than anticipated, with the ability to expand capacity to even more youth and families.”
Included among the organizations receiving grants is the United Negro College Fund, which is receiving a $50,000 grant for minority scholarships in Duke Energy’s 69-county service area. The Center for Leadership Development is also receiving $50,000 for minority youth leadership programs. The complete grant recipient list includes:
| ORGANIZATION | FOCUS/SERVICE | GRANT | |||
| 100 Black Men of Indianapolis | Men giving time to positively impact the development and outcomes of youth in our communities | $10,000 | |||
| American Association of Blacks in Energy – Indiana chapter | To align with ABE’s national mission, provide energy industry education, professional development opportunities, community service and scholarships for students entering a STEM-related field | $10,000 | |||
| Boys and Girls Club of Terre Haute | To enable all young people, especially those with great needs, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens | $10,000 | |||
| Center for Leadership Development | To foster the advancement of minority youth in central Indiana as future professional business and community leaders by providing experiences that encourage personal development and educational attainment | $50,000 | |||
| Central Indiana Community Foundation | To mobilize people, ideas and investments so that all individuals have equitable opportunity to reach their full potential—regardless of place, race or identity | $10,000 | |||
| Hanna Community Center | Hanna transforms the lives of youth, families and communities impacted by trauma and adversity through resilience, connection and spiritual wellness | $10,000 | |||
| Indiana Minority Health Coalition | To enhance quality of life through education, advocacy and health care services for racial/ethnic minorities. To conduct research and training, develop policy and create and maintain a broad-based network of affiliate agencies | $10,000 | |||
| Indianapolis Urban League | The Indianapolis Urban League’s mission is to assist African Americans, other minorities and disadvantaged individuals achieve social and economic equality | $10,000 | |||
| New Direction S.A.V.E.S. | Helping teens and families with employability and life skills training | $10,000 | |||
| Noblesville Diversity Coalition | To educate, celebrate, challenge and inspire Noblesville to be a welcoming and inclusive community that embraces all cultures and identities | $10,000 | |||
| Ross Foundation | Creates programs that help repair our communities through community-driven solutions focused on youth, economic development and crime reduction | $10,000 | |||
| United Negro College Fund | To build a robust and nationally recognized pipeline of underrepresented students to become highly qualified college graduates | $50,000 |
Duke Energy is also strengthening its internal diversity and inclusion programs to foster greater awareness, respect and inclusion.
In addition to these grants, employees have the opportunity to support local organizations through the Duke Energy Foundation’s matching grant program, Dollars4Good, as well as its Hours4Good program, which enables employees to earn grants for volunteer hours logged.
The $1 million in grants and expanded internal programs builds upon the company’s past efforts to support and encourage diversity, inclusion and equity in the company and communities it serves.
The company will continue to engage local organizations and leaders to understand how to be a part of the long-term solution for the social justice issues our communities face.
Learn more on Duke Energy’s illumination website about the employee-directed grant process.
