INIE is excited to announce the 2022 Grant Writing Competition, presented in conjunction with Duke Energy. Participants will write an application for the Duke Energy Foundation Grant and submit their final product to independent judges for review.  All applicants will receive one free, customized grant lead from the Revenue Research Center. The top 3 finalists will be selected and awarded prize packages.

Submissions to INIE Grant Writing Contest can be made until 11:59 pm EST on April 30th, 2022. Submissions will be made here. 

Competition Rules & Guidelines

  1. Applicants will submit their grant proposals to the Google Form found here.
  2. Applicants are eligible for prizes if they submit their grant application before the deadline. Applicants also have to fill out a budget worksheet found here.
  3. All timely submissions will receive a prize; 3 finalists will be picked by our judges
  4. No plagiarism allowed
  5. No outside help can be requested or received from the judges or the Duke Energy Foundation

1st Place  

  • Use of INIE Office Space for a Day Long Corporate Retreat
  • One Year Grant Station Subscription

  • One Hour Nonprofit Legal Consultation with an Attorney

2nd Place  

  • One Year Grant Station Subscription
  • One Hour Consultation with a Professional Grant Writer

  • Professional Development/Fund Development Book Set 

3rd Place  

  • One Hour Consultation with with a Professional Grant Writer
  • Fund Development Book Set  

All timely submissions will receive a Participation Prize of One Grant Lead provided by the Revenue Research Center.

About the grant:  

Giving Priorities: We focus our investments on these strategic areas where we can make an impact for our communities. 

Subject Area

​Powerful Communities: Workforce* Application open Feb. 1 – April 30; Grant decisions by June 30 ▪ Workforce development programs that address the most demanding skills gaps in communities that we serve.▪ Programs cultivating the energy-sector’s future workforce will be given priority.  

Description 

Creating Powerful Communities means powering the lives of our customers and the vitality of our communities with over $30 million in charitable grants each year. The Duke Energy Foundation is committed to making strategic investments to build powerful communities where nature and wildlife thrive, students can excel and a talented workforce drives economic prosperity for all. 

Funding Guidelines: 

To qualify for grant funding consideration, your organization must meet the following criteria:

  • Have current tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code or be a governmental entity. Governmental entities and school systems will need to submit an IRS letter of determination or a letter on government/school system letterhead confirming you are a government entity or school system.
  • Serve communities that are also served by Duke Energy
  • Serve communities without discrimination against any individual on the basis of race, creed, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation or national origin
  • Have a method by which to measure, track and report one or more program outcomes and specific results that demonstrate measurable community impact. 

Duke Energy Foundation Florida Counties that are eligible: 

Alachua, Bay, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Volusia, Waku 

Eligibility: 

  • Have current tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, be a governmental entity, including school systems. Governmental entities, including school systems will need to: 
    • Submit an IRS letter of determination. To request an IRS letter of determination, contact the IRS at 877.829.5500 or view this sample letter   OR 
    • Supply a letter to the Duke Energy Foundation on their governmental / school system letterhead affirming they are a governmental entity. 
  • Serve communities that are also served by Duke Energy 
  • Serve communities without discrimination against any individual on the basis of race, creed, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation or national origin 
  • Have a method by which to measure, track and report one or more program outcomes and specific results that demonstrate measurable community impact

Frequently Asked Questions: 

  1. Am I eligible to participate in the contest?   If your organization is a non-profit INIE member, you are eligible to apply!  

  1. How do I submit my grant proposal for the INIE Contest? Proposals can be submitted by clicking here 

  1. What do I need to submit to be entered into the INIE Contest?   Simply complete the Google Form application and the budget worksheet to be entered into the contest! 

  1. Does submitting my grant proposal to INIE automatically make me eligible to win The Duke Energy grant?  To be eligible to win a Duke Energy Foundation grant, a participant must apply on their website 

  1. What and how do I submit my grant proposal to The Duke Energy Foundation ? You will submit the same information you submitted to the grant contest. To apply, visit https://www.duke-energy.com/Community/Duke-Energy-Foundation and submit a grant in the category you are eligible for. 

  1. What needs to be included in the budget(s) sheet?  Include the budget worksheet that can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16obCmBGr9JawfoLzpcojxYusCE30LkT0EemRo9ZJ9h8/edit?usp=sharing 

  1. When should I hear back from The Foundation about my application?   Powerful Communities: Workforce* Applications open Feb. 1 and close April 30; Grant decisions will be made by June 30 

Application and Information: