DTE Energy Foundation Honors Michigan's Finest Nonprofits With 2006 Achieving Excellence Awards

DETROIT, June 14  /PRNewswire/ -- Six of Michigan's finest nonprofit organizations are the recipients of the DTE Energy Foundation's 2006 Achieving Excellence Awards -- the state's largest corporate grant competition for nonprofit organizations.  The Foundation recognized the organizations for their accomplishments in four categories: sustainability, leadership, collaboration and special achievement.

"We search for the most exemplary nonprofits and show our support of their efforts with significant cash grants through our Achieving Excellence Awards," said Fred Shell, vice president, corporate and governmental affairs, DTE Energy, and president of the DTE Energy Foundation.  "These organizations have pursued excellence in areas we feel are the most challenging to our nonprofit partners.  They have found ways to meet the needs of our community, despite challenges, objections and limited resources."

The Foundation presented $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County, the winner of the Sustainability Award.  The Pontiac-based organization was selected for its success in diversifying its fundraising initiatives through an aggressive and targeted plan that increased donors and sponsors.

The Leadership Award, along with a $50,000 grant, went to the Warren/Conner Development Coalition for its ambitious succession plan achieved by successfully decentralizing its organization.

The Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative and the Three Lakes Association of Bellaire shared the Collaboration Award.  The Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative, a consortium of neighborhood-based community development organizations, received a $75,000 grant for leveraging more than 30 stakeholders to construct the Conner Creek Greenway with an all volunteer staff.  The Three Lakes Association, a leading conservation organization dedicated to the Chain of Lakes watershed in Antrim County, was recognized with a $25,000 grant for bringing a diverse group of partners together, which resulted in a model to predict the effects of land use changes on the watershed's water quality.

The Guidance Center of Southgate and Lighthouse of Oakland County each received $50,000 grants as co-recipients of the Special Achievement Award. The Special Achievement Award was created this year in light of the significant economic challenges facing Michigan.  The award recognized the Guidance Center and Lighthouse of Oakland County for best anticipating the resulting community needs and positioning themselves to respond effectively. Both organizations developed new, innovative programs to address the impact of joblessness on families.

More than 120 award applications were submitted by nonprofit organizations statewide.  The finalists were judged by an independent panel of leaders in Michigan's philanthropic community.  To be considered for the Achieving Excellence Awards, organizations had to be tax-exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and be located within DTE Energy's service area.

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:   For further information, members of the media may contact:

Eileen Dixon, [phone], or Lorie Kessler, [phone], both of DTE

Energy



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

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