Duke Energy Foundation awards $260K to Florida charities

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Duke Energy Foundation announced today it will provide $260,000 to seven charitable organizations in Florida, the first of several grants the foundation will award in Florida this year.  

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A majority of the awards will fund K-12 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives at the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, the Polk Education Foundation, the Orlando Science Center and the Science Center of Pinellas County.

"Every dollar we contribute to education is an investment in the future of our state," said Alex Glenn, Duke Energy state president – Florida. "We are proud to support programs that help teachers and engage and excite students about energy, math and science and lay the foundation for our future leaders in these fields."

Duke Energy will invest in the following organizations:

• $75,000 to the Orlando Science Center
• $50,000 to the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools
• $50,000 to the Polk Education Foundation and Business Partnership Inc
• $35,000 to DonorsChoose.org
• $25,000 to the Science Center of Pinellas County Inc
• $15,000 to the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef project
• $10,000 to the Homeless Emergency Project Inc

The grant awarded to the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools offers up to $3,000 to kindergarten through 12^th grade teachers who develop innovative projects that directly impact classroom learning in science, mathematics and energy.

At the Polk Education Foundation, funds will provide grants to teachers at 29 elementary, middle and high schools to expand their knowledge of STEM curriculum by attending professional development workshops.

The grants will also provide STEM-related supplies to teachers. Both organizations have received foundation funding since 2007.

Funding for the Orlando Science Center will provide an opportunity for 3,500 third through fifth grade students to visit the center and experience Science Park, where they will participate in design challenges based on fundamental engineering principles.

The Science Center of Pinellas County received a grant to continue offering weather- and energy-related programming and curriculum to Pinellas County school children.

Through the grant, more than 2,000 children will learn about energy generation, energy efficiency and alternative energy at the center's specially designed energy room. Both science centers have received foundation funding since 2008.

"We work with the Duke Energy Foundation to focus its investments where we believe we can make the greatest difference in our Florida communities," said Glenn. "Our charitable contributions in Florida totaled more than $3.2 million in 2012. As part of Duke Energy, we'll continue this proud tradition and even strive to raise the bar."

About Duke Energy
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), provides electricity and related services to approximately 1.7 million customers in Florida. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and serves a territory encompassing more than 20,000 square miles including the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as the Central Florida area surrounding Orlando. Duke Energy Florida is pursuing a balanced approach to meeting the future energy needs of the region. That balance includes increased energy-efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art electricity system. More information is available at www.progress-energy.com.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at: www.duke-energy.com. 

Duke Energy Contact: Sterling Ivey
Office: 727-820-4722
24-Hour: 800-559-3853

SOURCE Duke Energy