Duke Energy to match $200,000 for STEM projects in Ohio and Kentucky classrooms

- As part of the Classroom Crowdfunding Challenge, teachers can submit their STEM project proposals to DonorsChoose.org

- Anyone can donate toward the projects, and The Duke Energy Foundation will match donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $200,000

- Program has the potential to pump $400,000 into STEM education at Greater Cincinnati schools

News provided by

Duke Energy

Sep 26, 2016, 11:30 ET

CINCINNATI, Sept. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy is issuing a challenge: Donate toward a classroom learning project in Greater Cincinnati, and Duke Energy will match it – dollar-for-dollar.

The Classroom Crowdfunding Challenge is a partnership between the Duke Energy Foundation and DonorsChoose.org to help local public school teachers bring engaging science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) projects into their classrooms.

Here's how it works:

Public school teachers can submit STEM project proposals (up to $2,000 per project) on DonorsChoose.org.
Anyone can visit DonorsChoose.org, browse eligible projects and make a donation.
Duke Energy will match donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to $200,000.
Once a project is fully-funded, DonorsChoose.org buys the project materials and ships them directly to the teacher's school.

"Teachers are at the core of our communities, and some of the biggest influences in the lives of our children," said Jim Henning, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky. "We're challenging our community to join this crowdfunding campaign, and help teachers bring innovative STEM projects to life for their students."

Duke Energy's $200,000 commitment, along with crowdsourced funds, will bring $400,000 worth of STEM education projects to public schools in Greater Cincinnati.

"We're deeply grateful for Duke Energy's support of Ohio and Kentucky STEM 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 scientists and engineers."

Teachers can visit 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 by going to DonorsChoose.org and searching for projects by either school name or selecting the "Math and Science" project category.

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.

Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact:
Lee Freedman, 513.287.4152
24-hour: 704.382.1603
@DE_LeeF

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130322/CL81938LOGO

SOURCE Duke Energy