Duke Energy Foundation awards over $37K to two local groups
The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded more than $300,000 in grants to 24 innovative K-12 education programs serving communities across Indiana.
Locally, the Maker Youth Foundation in Fishers received $27,230, and the Carmel Education Foundation got $10,000.
“Through fun, hands-on activities, we try to inspire kids to adopt a ‘maker mindset,’ or the belief they can learn to do anything,” said Maker Youth Foundation Founder Kim Brand. “It’s our mission to help them develop timeless skills like curiosity, collaboration and problem-solving that will set them on a path to success. We’re grateful for Duke Energy’s investment, which will enable us to expand our programming and reach more students than ever before.”
The Carmel Education Foundation said funds will be used to purchase robotics kits for each of Carmel Clay’s three middle schools. Funds will also support Project Lead the Way curriculum focused on energy collisions and conversion, which will be utilized in fourth grade classrooms at each of Carmel Clay’s elementary schools.
The grants support a wide range of educational programming for K-12 students, including summer reading programs; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education; programs that support underrepresented, low-income or diverse populations; and efforts to reverse academic declines due to disruption caused by COVID-19.
“Our educators and students are facing tremendous challenges teaching and learning as we emerge from the pandemic,” said Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar. “It’s more important now than ever before that we support and invest in opportunities for our children in the communities we serve to thrive and reach their full potential.”
Over the past three years, the Duke Energy Foundation has awarded 76 strategic charitable grants totaling more than $1.1 million to nonprofit organizations working to bolster education in Indiana communities.