DTE Energy Foundation Announces Major Awards Program For Michigan's Top Non-Profit Organizations
15 November 2005 - 12:41AM
PR Newswire (US)
DETROIT, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The DTE Energy Foundation today
announced it will award $400,000 to the winners of its 2006
Achieving Excellence Awards, the state's largest corporate grant
competition for non-profit organizations. Awards of up to $100,000
each will be presented in four categories: special achievement,
leadership, collaboration and sustainability. "The DTE Energy
Foundation established the Achieving Excellence Awards to recognize
and reward the state's exemplary non-profit organizations -- and to
encourage others to follow their lead," said Fred Shell, vice
president, corporate and governmental affairs, DTE Energy, and
president of the DTE Energy Foundation. "The awards are substantial
because we want to play a part in helping the recipients continue
their good work." In light of Michigan's current economic downturn,
the Foundation will present a Special Achievement Award to
recognize the non-profit organization that has best analyzed and
positioned itself to respond to resulting community needs.
"Michigan's economy is facing significant challenges, which means
that more people will need assistance from non-profit
organizations," noted Shell. "As the demand for services grows, the
work of these organizations will become more challenging -- and
more important -- than ever before." The Foundation's Leadership
Award will recognize the non-profit organization that demonstrates
the clearest vision and strategy for developing leadership, support
and guidance within its organization, as well as overall excellence
in promoting leadership development. The Collaboration Award will
recognize the most outstanding collaboration between three or more
organizations, of which at least one is non-profit. The
Sustainability Award will recognize the non-profit organization
that has best achieved organizational financial stability through
the planning and attainment of a diversified revenue base. Past
winners of Achieving Excellence Awards include the Detroit Science
Center, the Southwest Detroit Business Association, the Boys and
Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, the Lansing-based Michigan
Nonprofit Association, the Inland Seas Education Association in
Suttons Bay, and the Community Foundation of the Upper Peninsula in
Escanaba. To be considered for the Achieving Excellence Awards,
organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the
Internal Revenue Code and be located within DTE Energy's service
area. The application deadline is January 31, 2006. Applications
will be judged by an independent panel of leaders in Michigan's
philanthropic community from around the state. Winners will be
announced in June 2006. Applications and additional information on
the Achieving Excellence Awards may be obtained online at
http://www.dteenergy.com/foundation or by calling (313) 235-9271.
The DTE Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy,
continuing the legacy of community support and involvement of its
principal operating subsidiaries, Detroit Edison and MichCon. The
Foundation directs its contributions and involvement to support
initiatives dedicated to developing the human and economic
potential of the communities it serves. DATASOURCE: DTE Energy
CONTACT: Eileen Dixon, +1-313-235-9154, or Lorie Kessler,
+1-313-235-8807, both of DTE Energy Web site:
http://www.dteenergy.com/ http://www.dteenergy.com/foundation
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