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-leading 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 participating in the 2022 Cohort

Announcing 2023 Cohort Opportunity

We are thrilled to share that Duke Energy has chosen to invest in a second cohort of leadership to participate in Powered Up. The application form will be live mid-February on this page.

Timeline:

Application and Selection Period - February - April 2023
Program Participation - May 2023 through March 2024

Benefits:

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

Cohort Learning Sessions
Participation in the Fall 2022 Carolina Leadership Seminars for new executives

Eligibility Criteria:

Organizations must have their 501 c-3 status and be registered with the SC Secretary of State.
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.
Have a board with at least three members and an elected board chair.
Have a paid executive.
The organization’s budget should be between $50,000 and $500,000.
The executive and board chair must submit a co-signed letter sharing what they hope to get out of the program and that they each commit to invest three to ten hours a month to work on program objectives.
Executives must confirm ability to attend CLS seminars in Columbia on: August 11, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 3 and Dec. 8.
Execs and Board chairs must both confirm their ability to attend the final CLS session Dec. 9, 2022..