DTE Energy Foundation Honors Michigan's Finest Nonprofits With 2006 Achieving Excellence Awards
June 14 2006 - 9:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
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, +1-313-235-9154, or
Lorie Kessler, +1-313-235-8807, both of DTE Energy Web site:
http://www.dteenergy.com/
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