Duke foundation awards $50,000 to vet-centered organizations
ST. PETERSBURG — As Memorial Day approaches, the Duke Energy Foundation is awarding $50,000 to five nonprofit organizations honoring and supporting Florida veterans. These grants — part of the Foundation’s America250 initiative — will primarily help provide former service members with valuable job readiness skills, resources and connections as they transition to civilian life.
“At Duke Energy, we have a long history of providing career opportunities for veterans, so we know the loyalty, integrity and high-tech skills they bring to any team. That’s why we’re proud to support these organizations and help empower veterans as they enter into new, meaningful professions,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president.
The $50,000 in grant money is divided among several groups across Florida, including these local organizations:
• Friends of Palm Harbor Troop 26, $7,500.
The funds will update the Scout Hut in downtown Palm Harbor to include an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant bathroom. This building serves as a meeting location for local Cub Scouts and Boy Scout troops and is overseen by several active service members and veterans.
• Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, $7,500.
The money will help veterans who have been honorably discharged prepare for their transition from military careers to private-sector jobs. Through the Tampa Bay Job Links program, they will receive personal and career coaching, as well as education and skills to support their job search.
These grants represent the second round of funds awarded under the Duke Energy Foundation’s America250 initiative, a more than $1 million investment in community‑driven projects throughout the company’s six-state service area to recognize America’s 250th anniversary.