The DTE Energy Foundation supports core institutions, educational, environmental, and diversity related initiatives, as well as community development efforts. In addition, this year the Foundation will consider targeted support in direct response to the economic crisis.

The chart below reflects our 2009 priorities. Click on a category for more information.

The Foundation's LEAD Program

We support programs that develop young leaders, advance math and science education, sustain the environment, and promote diversity and community development.

Leadership

Programs that provide unique experiences to equip individuals with leadership skills.

A recipient in this category provides opportunities for young people to participate in mock elections as a candidate, serve in a mock government, set policy and advocate on important issues. Another recipient allocates board of trustee seats to youth community leaders who help govern a nonprofit organization. For adults, recipients in this category have programs that over an extended period of time, increases emerging leaders’ knowledge of community challenges and opportunities and inspires them to help improve the condition of the community.

Initiatives that improve the strength, stability, sustainability and leadership of the nonprofit sector.

Recipients in this category are exemplary nonprofit management support organizations that promote the awareness and effectiveness of the nonprofit sector.  These organizations provide education, technology assistance, technical assistance, advocacy, leadership development, collaboration expertise, and best practices to help build the capacity of the nonprofit sector

Leading cultural institutions important to the quality of life in our communities.

The list of recipients has been pre-identified within the service area of Detroit Edison and MichCon, based on physical assets, attendance, artistic merit, annual budget and geographic representation.

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Education

K-12

Programs that increase the number of college undergraduates entering the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) disciplines, thereby expanding the STEM workforce pipeline.

 Priority will be given to programs that:

• Demonstrate proven effectiveness with increasing the number of college undergraduates in the STEM disciplines
• Provide an opportunity to improve skills in more than one STEM discipline
• Target high school age children
• Provide programs in underserved communities of DTE Energy's service area
• Serve a large number of students (district-wide, multiple cities)

Academic tutorial and enhancement programs that advance student achievement (must be part of organization’s core mission).

A recipient in this category provides a 35-week after-school math tutorial program for 300 children from seven disadvantaged communities of metro Detroit. The expected outcomes are improved math performance, higher test scores and ultimately a better quality of life for the program’s participants

Higher Learning

Specific academic departments of engineering, science and business that prepare students to enter the professional workforce.

As the engineering and manufacturing industries in Michigan continue to change, the Foundation supported the efforts of a university in West Michigan to develop a new computer and electrical engineering facility, scholarships, an enhanced curriculum and expanded program offerings. The new program will increase the capacity of the university to train engineers in highly specialized fields.

Programs and institutions that prepare students for technical and skilled trade careers in the energy industry.

The Foundation’s grant to a community college supported the establishment of a new nuclear engineering technology curriculum as part of its Associate of Applied Science Degree program.

Programs that increase student retention and success in engineering, the sciences and business with a focus on women and minorities.

A grant was made to the nation’s largest private educational assistance organization for minorities, for scholarships to students from the DTE Energy service area majoring in Mechanical, Chemical or Electrical Engineering.

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Environment

Programs that protect and restore the environment and enhance the quality of life in the communities that we serve or are home to our facilities.

A recipient in this category, located in one of Michigan’s most important tourist destinations, monitors and manages projects that maintain and enhance the water quality of 280 miles of streams and rivers, protecting and promoting biodiversity in the region. Responsible stewardship of these waterways is crucial for the preservation and protection of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Education programs that build understanding of the environment and promote an understanding of the links between environmental stewardship and sustainable development, including education about renewable energy and energy efficiency, that reaches a broad audience.

A recipient created the DTE Energy Foundation Science Education Summer Institute to enhance the knowledge and appreciation of important freshwater issues among teachers, K-12 students and community leaders. The Program is a model for enriching science education centered on the theme of water and the Great Lakes.

Programs that advance environmental and economic sustainability in the Great Lakes region through initiatives that break new ground, have a high impact and represent a sustainable investment for the future.

The DTE Energy Foundation supported a comprehensive campaign to acquire land, establish conservation partnerships and promote policy initiatives, organizational capacity building, science and stewardship for land management, planning and on-the-ground action. It produced legally-binding conservation agreements for 15 large-scale forest, water and shoreline conservation projects across Michigan.

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Achievement - Human Needs

This year, the Foundation has decided to dedicate resources to addressing critical human needs resulting from the current economic crisis, in place of the Middle School Competitive Math Grant Program.

Collaborative, innovative initiatives with a broad impact which address the acute, predominant needs of citizens in DTE Energy’s customer service area will be identified for funding by the Foundation. Request for proposals will be initiated by the Foundation only. Grants made will be announced at the end of the year.

It is anticipated that the Middle School Competitive Math Grant Program and Achieving Excellence Awards programs will return in 2010 and 2011, but this is dependent on how quickly Michigan is able to recover from this severe economic downturn.

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Development

New commercial development, or the redevelopment of vacant, blighted, underutilized property for commercial use resulting in job creation, increased tax revenue and property values.

A recipient in this category is executing a comprehensive program to encourage regional neighborhood collaboration between Community Development Corporations, businesses, institutions and residents in targeted areas to make a demonstrable and visual impact. Anticipated outcomes include the development of 300,000 square feet of commercial space and the attraction of 25 new businesses.

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Diversity

Programs and organizations that enhance and promote understanding and inclusiveness.

A recipient in this category has prepared high school students with skills to help facilitate diversity training for middle-school students in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties Understanding and inclusiveness are emphasized surrounding issues of “difference” including race, religion, sexual orientation, and physical and mental ability, which combats heightened conflict, truancy and poor academic performance.

Programs and organizations that encourage and advocate for effective, positive change to combat discrimination.

An organization supported in this area helps to enforce housing laws to create and sustain a housing market where race, national origin or other protected characteristics are not used to limit housing choices.

Programs and organizations that celebrate and enhance awareness of different cultures.

Recipients in this category have built museums and developed exhibits that document, preserve and celebrate the history and contributions of specific cultures, thereby increasing awareness and appreciation of the benefits of diversity.

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