Florida · Private / Regional Grant

Duke Energy Florida: Education Grants

Duke Energy Florida's charitable giving program funds STEM education initiatives in communities where the utility operates, supporting workforce development, environmental literacy, and hands-on science and technology learning.

Funding

$1,000–$25,000

Eligibility

Schools and nonprofits in Duke Energy Florida service territory

Grade Focus

K-12

Subject

STEM / Energy / Environmental Science

Deadline

Rolling / annual cycles

Type

Private / Regional Grant

About This Grant

Duke Energy Florida invests in STEM education across the communities it serves through central and southwest Florida. The company's education grants support hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math programs that help students build skills relevant to 21st-century energy and technology careers.

Priority goes to programs in Duke Energy Florida's service territory — communities including Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, and surrounding counties. Schools and nonprofits in these areas can apply for funding to start or expand STEM programs, including physical computing, robotics, and environmental science initiatives that connect to Florida's energy and sustainability challenges.

Energy and environmental literacy are strong angles for Duke Energy applications. Programs that help students understand energy systems, climate, or sustainability through hands-on technology projects align well with the company's community investment priorities. Forward Education kits that incorporate environmental data collection or energy monitoring activities make compelling grant-aligned projects.

View Duke Energy Florida: Education Grants →

Eligibility

K-12 schools located in Duke Energy Florida's service territory
Nonprofits serving students or communities in Duke Energy Florida service areas
Programs must have a clear educational focus tied to STEM, workforce, or environmental literacy
Priority for organizations serving Title I or high-need communities

Allowable Uses

Physical computing hardware (coding kits, micro:bits, robotics)
CS and AI literacy curriculum
Teacher professional development
Energy and environmental education activities and field experiences

Forward Education Products for This Grant

Forward Education offers classroom-ready kits that align with Florida CS standards and fit cleanly into grant budgets. All kits include teacher guides and curriculum.

micro:bit Starter Kit — Entry-level physical computing, perfect for introducing coding and computational thinking.
MicroChat AI Literacy Kit — Hands-on AI literacy curriculum covering machine learning concepts for K-12 classrooms.
Coding for Good Kit — Project-based learning kit connecting coding skills to real-world community challenges.
micro:bit Robotics Kit — Advanced robotics and engineering challenges for deeper CS exploration.

Keep in Mind

Connect your project to energy literacy or environmental topics — Duke Energy is most interested in programs that relate to their sector.
Verify your school or organization is in Duke Energy Florida's service territory before applying.
Applications that mention workforce relevance and career pathways in STEM tend to score well with utility funders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counties does Duke Energy Florida serve?

Duke Energy Florida primarily serves Pinellas, Pasco, Citrus, Highlands, and Hardee counties, plus parts of Polk and Hillsborough. Check duke-energy.com to confirm your service territory.

Can a single teacher apply for a classroom grant?

Duke Energy Florida's grants typically go to schools or nonprofits, not individual teachers. DonorsChoose.org is a better option for individual classroom needs.

Are grants renewable?

Some Duke Energy grant relationships are renewed annually, especially for established programs with good outcomes data. New applicants should demonstrate clear impact metrics.

Can coding and robotics kits be purchased with this funding?

Yes. STEM hardware, curriculum, and professional development are all fundable, provided they align with the program's educational goals and community benefit narrative.

How can Forward Education help?

We provide curriculum alignment documents mapped to Florida CS standards, pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for qualifying applications. Reach out before you apply.