DTE Energy Foundation Announces Major Awards Program For Michigan's Top Non-Profit Organizations

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 [phone].

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, [phone], or Lorie Kessler,

[phone], both of DTE Energy



Web site:  http://www.dteenergy.com/

http://www.dteenergy.com/foundation 

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