DTE Energy Foundation Grant Competition to Recognize Michigan's Top Nonprofit Organizations

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, [phone]; or Lorie Kessler,

[phone], both of DTE Energy



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

http://www.dteenergy.com/ 

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