Duke Energy Foundation has announced a $1 million donation aimed at supporting recovery efforts in states impacted by Hurricane Helene, particularly in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. This funding is specifically allocated to local organizations providing emergency services, such as temporary housing. The foundation is working closely with its partners to assess the immediate and long-term needs of these regions and adjust its contributions accordingly.
This donation is part of Duke Energy Foundation’s broader commitment to community resilience. Over the past five years, the organization has invested more than $20.5 million in emergency preparedness and response initiatives. Duke Energy employees have also actively contributed by volunteering and supporting affected communities during various crises. Through this initiative, the foundation aims to create a robust safety net for vulnerable populations while strengthening the capacity of local actors to respond to future crises.
North Carolina: Strategic partnership with United Way
In North Carolina, a portion of the funding has been allocated to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, managed by United Way of North Carolina. This organization’s mission is to coordinate relief efforts in the state, particularly in areas hardest hit by flooding and power outages. Duke Energy’s financial support will launch a “match challenge” fundraising program, encouraging donors to multiply their contributions. The program is designed to maximize the impact of donations and accelerate the recovery of local infrastructures.
This partnership illustrates the foundation’s commitment to working with entities capable of quickly deploying resources on the ground. It also helps streamline the allocation of resources to priority needs while ensuring optimal coordination among various stakeholders.
South Carolina: Addressing food security needs
In the neighboring state, the foundation directed its support to organizations such as Harvest Hope, a regional food bank playing a crucial role in distributing food to families in need. The funds will help finance the purchase of non-perishable goods, strengthen logistical capacities, and ensure continuous distribution throughout the recovery period. Harvest Hope’s Executive Director confirmed that this support is essential in meeting the increased demand following Hurricane Helene, which has temporarily shuttered many local businesses and services.
For local organizations, the challenge remains to adapt their actions to the rapidly changing needs—a flexibility made possible through this type of financial backing.
Florida: Targeted actions for recovery
In Florida, the Florida Disaster Fund to respond to the immediate emergencies caused by Hurricane Helene has been activated by Volunteer Florida. Duke Energy’s donation supports the provision of potable water, emergency medical assistance, and other critical services. Volunteer Florida’s CEO, Josie Tamayo, emphasized the importance of such contributions in ensuring quick access to vital resources in the most isolated regions. The foundation also plans to continue its efforts by coordinating support programs for local infrastructure and implementing long-term resilience initiatives.
Strategic investments in resilience
Hurricane Helene highlights the importance of disaster preparedness programs. Duke Energy Foundation has made significant investments in resilience initiatives, particularly through the modernization of electrical networks in exposed regions. These projects include the installation of advanced management systems, the expansion of energy storage capacity, and the construction of more weather-resistant infrastructure. These efforts are part of a broader strategy aimed at minimizing the impact of extreme weather events on essential public services while ensuring operational continuity.
At the national level, Duke Energy continues to evaluate the effectiveness of its investments to identify best practices in community resilience. The foundation maintains an ongoing dialogue with local authorities and NGOs to refine its programs and target areas needing increased support.
