Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation have announced $125,000 in microgrants for nine nonprofit organizations in South Carolina. The grants, which can be as much as $20,000 each, are aimed at helping nonprofits make repairs to homes that currently cannot benefit from weatherization programs due to pre-existing health and safety issues. These problems include roof leaks, electrical hazards, mold, pest infestations or structural deficiencies.
The funding is intended to enable more households to become eligible for energy efficiency improvements and achieve long-term cost savings. Organizations that prepare income-challenged households for participation in energy efficiency and weatherization initiatives applied through a request for proposals process that began in September.
Grant recipients include Citizens United for Redevelopment and Economic Stability of Chester ($10,000), City of Florence ($10,000), Emmanuel’s Hammer ($20,000), Habitat for Humanity Greenville County ($20,000), Habitat for Humanity of York County ($10,000), Helping Florence Flourish ($10,000), Rebuild Upstate ($5,000), Sumter United Ministries ($20,000) and United Way of Hartsville ($20,000).
Jerry Dudley, Planning Director of the City of Florence stated: “The Duke Energy Foundation grant will enhance the city’s Weatherization and Rehabilitation Program by funding critical home repairs for income-challenged households. Several homeowners are in urgent need of roof repairs. These grant dollars will help extend the reach of the city’s program, allowing us to serve more families and address essential housing needs.”
John Lattimore, Chief Program Officer at Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County said: “Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County is excited and honored to continue our partnership with Duke Energy and their commitment to providing a better quality of life for families in need. This specific funding will help provide warm, safe and dry conditions through critical home repairs for several deserving families. The need is great in our community and partners like Duke Energy allow us to meet more of that need.”
Tim Pearson, President at Duke Energy South Carolina commented: “Many homes in our state have underlying safety issues that prevent homeowners from participating in energy efficiency and weatherization programs that can significantly moderate energy bills and decrease the growing demand on the energy grid. Recent legislative efforts have made it clear energy efficiency is critical to our long-term efforts to respond to growth in our state, and Duke Energy continues to look at new ways of expanding energy saving opportunities for our customers.”
In addition to these grants supporting nonprofits’ repair work on homes facing health or safety barriers before upgrades can occur, Duke Energy Progress started a pilot program in 2024 offering free energy improvements based on household income and usage levels. In 2025 Duke Energy also expanded incentives and eligibility criteria across its energy efficiency programs so more customers could save money while reducing their power use.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides over $30 million annually through philanthropic support targeting communities served by Duke Energy customers.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is headquartered in Charlotte with electric utilities serving about 8.6 million customers across six states including North Carolina and South Carolina; its natural gas business serves 1.7 million customers across five states.
For further information about current programs or initiatives visit duke-energy.com or follow company updates on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn or Facebook.
