Duke Energy gives $500,000 to Lealman Engagement Committee 

Duke Energy has donated $500,000 to the Lealman Engagement Committee. The funding was officially awarded in September. 

The organization plans to support events in the unincorporated Pinellas community of Lealman throughout the year, including a Christmas tree lighting, Fourth of July celebration and the Honey & Arts Festival. 

Duke’s donation will be given over a 10-year period, said Amy Cianci, who manages the Lealman Exchange Community Center. Approximately $50,000 will be distributed annually.

The committee is a coalition of local nonprofits and organizations, including the Center, that have come together to encourage community connectivity while honoring the area’s culture. 

“The concept was to celebrate being Lealman,” Cianci explained. “The drive behind it is that Lealman has an identity and a pride.” 

To exemplify, she spoke about the annual Honey & Arts Festival, which pays homage to the area’s high concentration of beekeepers. 

“This is really a transformational grant,” she said. “Duke Energy empowers communities and has come together with us as a true partner to help organize these events so that we can grow in the future.” 

Cianci added that the donation will make the committee’s work “sustainable” long-term. 

It will be held in a donor-advised fund overseen by the St. Petersburg Foundation, which operates the Lealman Exchange Community Center in partnership with Pinellas County. 

This non-distributed portion of the fund will be invested to earn a return, Cianci explained. As a result, the St. Petersburg Foundation expects to extend the funding up to five years beyond the initial 10-year period. 

“Duke Energy has served St. Petersburg for more than 125 years. This city is home to hundreds of our employees – many who grew up here and are raising their families here now – so we’re personally invested in its success,” said Duke Energy government and community relations manager Jeff Baker. 

“We’re proud to partner with the St. Petersburg Foundation and Lealman Exchange to ensure the greater Lealman community continues to grow and thrive for generations to come.” 

A formal check presentation with Duke Energy will be held at the Lealman Honey & Arts Festival in February. 

The engagement committee is hosting its inaugural Harvest Festival today at Lealman Community Park (3875 54th Avenue N) from 5 to 9 p.m. This is in lieu of the Fourth of July celebration this year, Cianci said. 

St. Pete Catalyst publisher Joe Hamilton is the co-founder of the St. Petersburg Group, which created the St. Petersburg Foundation.