Powered Up

Duke Energy's Nonprofit Learning Cohort

Duke Energy and Together SC have joined forces to invest in “up and coming” community-focused nonprofits critical to our state.

Powered Up offers a full year of customized technical assistance and coaching for nonprofits that are minority-led and/or working in underserved communities in Duke Energy’s South Carolina service area.

During the year, Together SC staff, consultants and nonprofit leaders will work individually with each organization’s team to help them develop their leadership capacity; improve their governance, operations, and financial conditions; and increase their impact.

2022 Participants: Scroll down to meet the nine nonprofits and their leaders who participated in the 2022 Cohort .

Announcing 2023 Cohort Opportunity

We are thrilled that Duke Energy has chosen to invest in a second cohort of leaders to participate in Powered Up.

Apply for the 2023 Cohort Here

Timeline:

Applications are due Friday, April 6, 2023
Selections will be announced May 17, 2023
Program Participation - June 2023 through March 2024

Benefits:

One year of Together SC membership
Organizational Assessments
Technical Support
Coaching for Executive Directors and Board Chairs

Cohort Learning Sessions
Participation in the Fall 2023 Carolina Leadership Seminars for new executives

Eligibility Criteria:

Organizations must have their 501 c-3 status and be registered and in good standing with the SC Secretary of State's office and the IRS.
Organization' must meet Duke Energy Foundation’s Funding Guidelines. For example, the program will not be open to churches or faith based groups.
They must be located outside major metropolitan areas and work in Duke Energy’s service area: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Fairfield, Florence, Georgetown (Andrews area only), Greenville, Greenwood, Horry (Aynor & Green Sea area only), Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union, Williamburg, and York.
Work in Duke Energy’s fields of interest and serve low-wealth community.
Be minority-led and/or working in underserved communities.
Have a professional paid executive director who is in a position to take advantage of the program's resources.
Have a board with at least three members and an elected board chair and that meets regularly and is actively engaged.
The organization’s annual budget should be between $50,000 and $250,000 in revenue.
The executive director and board chair must submit a co-signed letter sharing what they hope to get out of the program and that they are able to make the following commitments.
- Executives will invest three to ten hours a month to work on program objectives.
- Completion of the organization assessment in a timely manner.
- Executives must confirm ability to attend in person Carolina Leadership Seminars seminars in Columbia on: August 11, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 3 and Dec. 8, 2023.
- Board chairs must confirm their ability to attend in person the final CLS session Dec. 8, 2023.