SALISBURY – The Duke Energy Foundation announced $810,000 in grants to support North Carolina K-12 programs focused on summer reading loss, STEM and experiential learning.

Rowan-Salisbury School’s Horizons Unlimited program received $35,000 and the Girl Scouts Hornets’ Nest Council serving Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties received $15,000

Given the COVID-19 crisis, the foundation has also provided each organization with the option to use the funds to address unforeseen operational challenges.

“The nonprofit community is essential to the well-being and success of our state,” said Stephen De May, Duke Energy North Carolina president. “We are grateful for the work they do to serve our communities and want them to have some measure of flexibility during this time of uncertainty – it’s the right thing to do.”

According to a survey by the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits, 70% of the state’s nonprofits that responded believe the financial burden of COVID-19 could affect the sustainability of their organization.

“As this pandemic spreads in our local communities, the demand for services provided by the nonprofit sector is growing at a rapid pace,” said Jeanne Tedrow, president and CEO of North Carolina Center for Nonprofits. “The need for flexible funds from both corporate and private foundations is paramount, and maintaining a safety net is critical not only for today’s response, but for the viability of our communities as we recover and rebuild.”

Some nonprofits across the state are already feeling the impact and have indicated plans to use the funds for COVID-19 response.