Duke Energy offers Palmetto State teachers $200,000 for literacy, STEM projects

GREENVILLE, S.C., Sept. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- If you fund it, they will learn.

Duke Energy is partnering with DonorsChoose.org to help South Carolina teachers develop projects that enhance childhood literacy and foster a growing interest in science and technology fields.

Through a $200,000 matching gift, the Duke Energy Foundation is teaming up with teachers to turn these classroom projects into a reality.

Here is how it works:

• Public school teachers can submit proposals for projects related to literacy or science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for up to $500 to DonorsChoose.org, where the public can provide funding.
• The Duke Energy Foundation will match, dollar-for-dollar, all donations made toward eligible STEM and literacy projects at public schools in the company's South Carolina service area, up to $250 per project. That means the $200,000 matching gift will truly have a $400,000 impact on students in the state.

"Our children are the future leaders of our communities, and it is imperative that we contribute to their success," said Clark Gillespy, Duke Energy's South Carolina state president. "By working with DonorsChoose.org, we can quickly get resources directly into the hands of the dedicated teachers who daily impact the lives of students across the state."

"We're deeply grateful for Duke Energy's support of South Carolina STEM and literacy projects," said Charles Best, founder of DonorsChoose.org. "So many local teachers will now have tools they need to teach and inspire our next generation of leaders."

Teachers can visit www.DonorsChoose.org/teachers to submit a project. Qualifying projects already posted to the site will automatically be eligible for Duke Energy's matching funds.

Parents and other members of the community can contribute to these projects through www.DonorsChoose.org and search projects by either school name or project category: STEM or literacy.

About the Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. In 2015, the foundation provided more than $30 million in charitable gifts. The foundation's education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.

Duke Energy employees and retirees actively contribute to their communities as volunteers and leaders at a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit duke-energy.com/foundation.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an 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: Ryan Mosier
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SOURCE Duke Energy