Duke Energy Invests in Diverse Learning Opportunities for Students in Ohio and Kentucky

• New $30,000 Foundation grant to Central State University propels larger corporate initiative to support historically Black colleges and universities
• Ongoing funding supports multiple scholarships, mentoring and career development programs

CINCINNATI, August 31, 2023 /3BL/ - August brings the back-to-school rush for many students, educators and parents. Duke Energy continues to support students and educators through various funding opportunities, including a $30,000 Foundation grant to support Central State University, Ohio’s only public historically Black college and university (HBCU). The grant will support career development opportunities and will provide scholarships to students to help close the financial gap and support retention and graduation.

This regional funding supports Duke Energy’s larger corporate initiative to support HBCUs through grants and sponsorships that promote STEM education.

“I am proud of Duke Energy’s commitment to education and ensuring opportunities and relevant programs are available to all students,” said Amy Spiller, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky. “Our communities benefit from a growing talent pipeline of diverse, skilled workers who bring new and innovative ways of thinking to the table. HBCUs are cultivating their students today to be the leaders of tomorrow’s workforce.”

Duke Energy has a long-standing history of investing in diverse learning opportunities for students and educators in Ohio and Kentucky.

In June, Duke Energy awarded $265,000 in Foundation grants to support workforce development, which included many grantees offering educational services to students and educators. In the last 5 years, the Duke Energy Foundation has distributed $1.2 million to local organizations for workforce development. Learning Grove, located in Northern Kentucky, received $30,000 to advance the NaviGo Scholars and NKY College & Career Connector Program. Duke Energy also partnered with Learning Grove over the summer to host a Women in Energy STEM Camp for high school juniors and seniors. This was the first year for the camp, which raised awareness of STEM careers as well as career opportunities within Duke Energy.

“One of the most important investments we can make is in the people and communities we serve,” added Spiller. “By supporting the important work of local students and educators, we are laying the groundwork for a successful workforce of the future.”

Other recent funding and partnerships include:

• $15,000 to Adopt A Class in support of 2023 school year mentoring, including training, engagement and program costs. This is in addition to and expanding upon Duke Energy’s volunteer involvement during the 2022-23 school year, for which the Duke Energy volunteer leads, Angela Easton and Joan Carmack, received an award for being Program Champions of the Year.
• $15,000 to Black Achievers in support of its mission to connect, educate and economically empower the Black community. The grant will help reach and support more than 200 students in 2023 with career days and mentoring while motivating students to go to trade school or college.
• More than $137,000 to Gateway Community & Technical College since 2017. Duke Energy also helped create the Utility Lineworker Program at Gateway in 2020. Approximately 70 students have earned certifications and found employment since the program’s inception.
• More than $32,000 over the last 10 years in STEM scholarships for students, selected by the NKY NAACP attending regional colleges.
• More than $30,000 over the last 10 years to the Hispanic Chamber to award scholarships to students attending local colleges.
• $40,000 to support STEM programming. Each of the following organizations has received a $10,000 grant: Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative, iSpace, Boone County Schools, Northern Kentucky University.

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky

Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides electric service to 900,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a 3,000-square-mile service area, and natural gas service to 550,000 customers in a 2,650-square-mile service area, in Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2023 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “World’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: Casey Kroger 
Office: 513.287.1051 
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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