Duke Energy Foundation Empowers Hispanic Students with $75,000 Grant to Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund

The Duke Energy Foundation is making a significant investment in the education of Hispanic students in central Florida. With a generous grant of $75,000, the foundation is supporting the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund, creating valuable educational opportunities for local Hispanic students.

The grant will enable the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund to provide college scholarships to deserving Hispanic students and expand professional development workshops to assist them in transitioning into the workforce. A substantial portion of the grant will be allocated to award eight additional scholarships, while the remaining funds will contribute to the annual scholarship award ceremony in October.

Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, emphasized the importance of a diverse and empowered workforce. She stated, “By supporting organizations like the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund and providing diverse students with educational opportunities, we are helping students of all backgrounds and abilities to develop the critical life skills to reach their full potential and contribute to a vibrant and diverse workforce.”

The Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund, in collaboration with its partners, has awarded over $2 million in scholarships since its inception in 2000. Duke Energy Florida and its Foundation have been dedicated supporters of the fund, providing approximately $230,000 in scholarships and sponsorships over the past decade.

Yamile Luna, board chair of the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund, expressed gratitude for Duke Energy’s ongoing support, which has strengthened their collaboration and allowed them to expand their vision of growth and economic impact for Hispanic scholars in central Florida.

The annual scholarship award ceremony, scheduled for October 11, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, will celebrate the scholarship recipients and introduce them to the central Florida community. This event serves as a platform for educational partners, event and organization funders, community leaders, and scholarship recipients to come together and highlight the value of community collaboration.

The Duke Energy Foundation, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,500 megawatts of energy capacity and provides electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Through its philanthropic efforts, the Duke Energy Foundation contributes over $30 million annually to support the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

For more information about the scholarship award ceremony, please contact info@hhsfmo.org.

Source: Duke Energy Foundation