$1 million in Duke Energy Foundation grants energize Florida students and teachers

- 2016 education grants will benefit 33 organizations and more than 100,000 students

- Gift doubled to $2 million with matching funds from Consortium of Florida Education Foundations

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May 12, 2016, 12:01 ET

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy is providing more than $1 million in grants to 33 Florida-based educational programs through its Duke Energy Foundation.

More than 100,000 students will benefit directly from the grants, which will help fund projects in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, fields.

"Supporting educational initiatives is an integral mission of the Duke Energy Foundation," said Alex Glenn, Duke Energy state president – Florida. "These grants help advance vital STEM-focused programs in local schools, which in turn prepare our students to become future community leaders."

The largest grant, totaling $252,000, was awarded to the Pinellas County Education Foundation to address key needs of nearly 40,000 students.

The grant will support:

STEM After School Programs in every Title I elementary, middle and high school in the county;
The Enterprise Village Program that teaches fifth graders to apply math skills in simulated businesses
Two programs that promote STEM-related innovation and career paths for high school students
Classroom grants and matching funds for STEM Academy teacher training and industry certifications.

Duke Energy's grants to K-12 local education foundations are also eligible for dollar-for-dollar matching funds through the state of Florida's School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program, doubling the impact of the $1 million investment.

"Throughout Florida, teachers will be able to provide the types of hands-on learning opportunities that truly engage students because of Duke Energy's support," said Mary Chance, president of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. "Their long-term investment in both our statewide organization and our local education foundations in their service territory is making a meaningful difference, particularly in the STEM education arena."

Some of the largest donations this year include:

Pinellas County Education Foundation ($252,000)
Orlando Science Center ($75,000)
Keystone Science School ($50,400)
Foundation for Orange County ($50,000)
Pasco Education Foundation ($50,000)
Polk Education Foundation ($50,000)
Consortium of Florida Education Foundations ($50,000)
Young Men's Christian Association, Inc. ($50,000)
Foundation for Seminole County ($40,000)
Citrus County Education Foundation ($34,054)
Futures, Inc. Volusia County ($30,000)
Education Foundation of Lake County ($28,000)
Foundation for Osceola Education ($25,000)
Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay ($25,200)
Madison County Foundation for Excellence ($20,000)
Polk State College Foundation ($20,000)
Public Education Foundation of Marion County ($20,000)

Duke Energy has given more than $56 million to Florida charitable organizations since 2000.The grants are administered through the Duke Energy Foundation, which provides philanthropic support to address the needs vital to the health of communities served by Duke Energy, with a focus on education, environment, economic and workforce development and community impact.

Additionally, Duke Energy Florida employees volunteered more than 45,000 hours of community service within the last five years through the "Duke Energy in Action" program. A wrap-up video highlighting Duke Energy Florida volunteer events is available at http://bit.ly/DEFcommunities.

For additional information on Duke Energy's community giving programs visit www.duke-energy.com/foundation.

About Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida owns coal-fired and natural gas generation providing about 9,100 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.7 million customers in a 13,000-square-mile service area.

With its Florida regional headquarters located in St. Petersburg, Fla., Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.4 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 24 million people. Its Commercial Portfolio and International business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.

The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online destination for stories about remarkable people, innovations, and community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and insights into the future of energy.

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Contact: Peveeta Persaud
Office: 727.820.5592
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SOURCE Duke Energy