DTE Energy Foundation Grant Competition to Recognize Michigan's Top Nonprofit Organizations
13 November 2007 - 1:29AM
PR Newswire (US)
Applications now available for Achieving Excellence Awards DETROIT,
Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The DTE Energy Foundation today announced
it is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations for its
2008 Achieving Excellence Awards. With up to $400,000 in awards,
the program is Michigan's largest corporate grant competition for
nonprofit organizations. Grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000
will be presented in five categories: innovation, merger,
leadership, collaboration and sustainability. "The DTE Energy
Foundation's Achieving Excellence Awards honor nonprofit
organizations that have done exemplary work despite extraordinary
challenges," said Fred Shell, DTE Energy's vice president,
corporate and government affairs and president of the DTE Energy
Foundation. "The significant grants that accompany these awards are
meant to help these remarkable organizations continue their
important work in our communities." The Foundation will present its
Innovation Award to the nonprofit organization that has developed a
new, innovative program to address critical needs resulting from
the downturn in Michigan's economy. "Today's economy is making life
even harder for those who are struggling to get by," noted Shell.
"For many nonprofit organizations that means demand for their
services is growing at a time when their resources are dwindling."
The Foundation has added a new award for 2008 -- Merger -- to
recognize an organization that has undertaken a successful merger
with an organization with a similar mission. The Leadership Award
will recognize the nonprofit organization that demonstrates the
clearest vision and strategic plan for leadership continuity,
including succession of board members, executives and key staff.
The Collaboration Award will recognize the most outstanding
partnership between three or more organizations, of which at least
one is nonprofit. The Sustainability Award will recognize the
nonprofit 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 Southwest Detroit Business Association, the
Three Lakes Association, the Warren/Conner Development Coalition,
the Inland Seas Education Association of Suttons Bay, and Habitat
for Humanity of Oakland County. 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 competition is open to all organizations
that meet the above criteria. Outside of the Achieving Excellence
Awards, most DTE Energy Foundation grants are awarded under the
Foundation's "LEAD" guidelines: leadership, education, environment,
achievement, development and diversity. The application deadline is
January 31, 2008. Applications will be judged by an independent
panel of leaders in Michigan's philanthropic community. Winners
will be announced in June 2008. Applications and additional
information on the Achieving Excellence Awards may be obtained
online at dteenergy.com/aea. 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/aea
http://www.dteenergy.com/
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