DTE Energy Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $18,039,839 (2023); $14,500,000 (2024)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: 3-5 months (varies by program)
Grant Range: $500 - $100,000 (typical grants $10,000)
Geographic Focus: Michigan statewide (focus on DTE Energy service areas)

Contact Details

Address: 1 Energy Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226-1221

Phone: 313-235-4000

Contact Person: Carol Moore, Corporate and Government Affairs, Phone: 313-235-9271

Overview

The DTE Energy Foundation was established in 1988 as the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy Company. The Foundation provided $18,039,839 in grants in 2023 and $14.5 million in grant support to 375 nonprofit organizations in 2024. The Foundation supports communities where DTE Energy has a business presence throughout Michigan, focusing on nonprofits making a difference in arts and culture, community transformation, economic progress, career development, environment, and human needs. President Rodney Cole leads the Foundation's operations and grant strategies, playing a key role in advancing DTE's efforts to support Michigan's economy through job creation and workforce development, social justice and racial equity, and environmental stewardship. In 2024, DTE Energy was honored with the Civic 50 award for being among the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States for the 12th consecutive year.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Transformation Grant Program: $50,000 maximum per project. Application periods vary; the inaugural 2024 program awarded $310,000 to 12 nonprofits (more than doubled from the initial $150,000 due to overwhelming need). Supports diverse initiatives including housing services, youth empowerment, park restoration, education, and entrepreneurship programs.

Community Empowerment Awards: Up to $50,000 per project proposal. The 2025 program offered $150,000 total in grants with applications accepted through May 16.

Domestic Violence Shelter Support: Ongoing program providing grants to state-funded domestic violence shelters throughout Michigan. In 2024, awarded $420,000 to 45 shelters, bringing total commitment to more than $3 million over six years.

Tree Planting Grant Program: Up to $100,000 available annually, with a maximum of $4,000 per project. Applications announced in June, with awards announced in fall. Partnership with Michigan DNR and ReLeaf Michigan.

Community Events: $500 - $5,000 for community event sponsorships.

Quarterly Focus Areas:

Q1: Education & Employment
Q2: Community Transformation/Economic Progress
Q3: Human Needs/Arts & Culture
Q4: Environment

Priority Areas

Education & Employment: Career development opportunities for underserved youth and adults, workforce development, diverse workforce initiatives
Community Transformation: Economic prosperity initiatives, transforming regional communities for benefit of all Michigan residents
Economic Progress: Job creation, entrepreneurship programs, business development
Environment: Environmental conservation, restoration, environmental leadership, climate and sustainability initiatives, tree planting
Human Needs: Emergency shelter, transitional housing, domestic violence support, services for women, children, families, and veterans
Arts & Culture: Cultural programming and initiatives
Equity: Social justice, racial equity, and equitable access programs

What They Don't Fund

Organizations that are not legally established 501(c)(3) public charities by the IRS
Organizations without capacity to directly receive and manage grants (no fiduciary or fiscal sponsor payment arrangements)
Type III supporting organizations
Organizations located outside Michigan
Projects that do not directly benefit Michigan communities
Organizations unwilling to provide annual impact reports or fulfill press release/grant presentation requests
Projects without long-term sustainability plans

Governance and Leadership

Rodney Cole, President, DTE Foundation and DTE Corporate Citizenship: Cole was named to this position in May 2023, taking over from retiring Lynette Dowler who had nearly 40 years of service. Cole leads the Foundation's operations and grant strategies and plays a key role in advancing DTE's efforts to support Michigan's economy through job creation and workforce development, social justice and racial equity, and environmental stewardship. Cole has stated: "DTE and the DTE Foundation are committed to serving with our energy, making a meaningful and equitable difference through our statewide corporate citizenship efforts."

The Foundation operates under the oversight of DTE Energy Company's executive leadership, with grants and strategy aligned to the company's broader commitment to community engagement and social responsibility.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CRITICAL: DTE Foundation grant applications are accepted by invitation-only, directly in correlation with their quarterly schedule. Unsolicited applications or proposals are not accepted.

For organizations that receive invitations, applications are submitted through the DTE Energy Foundation online portal at empoweringmichigan.com/foundation.

Online Portal Process:

New applicants must create a login to the online portal
A confirmation email will be sent to activate the account
Once logged in, select the type of grant you're applying for
Answer eligibility questions before completing the application
Important: The system times out after 1 hour of inactivity, which can result in data loss - save frequently

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be legally established 501(c)(3) public charity by the IRS
Must have capacity to directly receive and manage the grant
Must be located in Michigan with projects that directly benefit Michigan communities
DTE Foundation must be the majority contributor to the overall project
Must provide a long-term sustainability plan for future project needs
Must provide annual reports detailing community impact of the grant
Must be willing to fulfill press release and grant presentation requests

Getting on Their Radar

Since the DTE Energy Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, building relationships with the Foundation is essential:

Contact: Organizations interested in potential funding should contact Carol Moore, Corporate and Government Affairs, at 313-235-9271 to inquire about invitation opportunities.

Geographic Alignment: The Foundation focuses on communities where DTE Energy has a business presence. Organizations in DTE's electric service territory (Southeast Michigan with 2.2-2.3 million customers) and natural gas service area (1.3 million customers statewide) are prioritized, with particular emphasis on underserved and historically disinvested neighborhoods.

Strategic Alignment: Align your organization's mission with the Foundation's quarterly focus areas and demonstrate how your work fits within their six priority categories. Review the Foundation's recent grant announcements to understand current funding patterns.

Community Presence: Organizations making a demonstrated impact in DTE's service communities, particularly those working in education, workforce development, environmental stewardship, or equity initiatives, may be more likely to receive invitations.

Decision Timeline

Typical Process: Organizations applying for grants within the Foundation's six giving priority areas receive a decision at the end of the applicable application period.

Timeline Examples:

Community Transformation Grant Program (2024): Applications closed May 1, winners notified October 4 (approximately 5 months)
Tree Planting Grants: Applications announced in June, awards announced in fall (approximately 3-4 months)
Community Empowerment Awards (2025): Applications through May 16 (decision timeline not yet announced)

Notification: Applicants are notified directly by the Foundation. Winners may be publicly announced through press releases.

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose overall success rates for grant applications. However, some data is available from specific programs:

2024 Community Transformation Grant Program: The Foundation more than doubled the initial grant allocation from $150,000 to $310,000 due to "overwhelming need," suggesting high demand and competitive selection
2024 Overall Impact: In 2024, the Foundation awarded $14.5 million to 375 nonprofit organizations across Michigan
2023 Overall Impact: In 2023, the Foundation provided $18 million in grant support to nearly 300 nonprofits

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publicly disclose specific reapplication policies. Organizations should inquire directly with the Foundation regarding reapplication timelines and opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Long-term Sustainability: The DTE Energy Foundation explicitly requires applicants to "provide a long-term sustainability plan for any future needs of the project." Applications should clearly articulate how the project will continue beyond the grant period.

Community Impact Measurement: Grantees must "provide an annual report detailing the community impact of the grant." Applications should include specific, measurable outcomes and demonstrate capacity for impact reporting.

Geographic Alignment: The Foundation requires that "the organization must be located in and directly benefit a project in Michigan," with priority given to DTE Energy's service areas, including historically underserved neighborhoods.

Majority Contributor Requirement: "The DTE Foundation must be the majority contributor to the overall project." This suggests the Foundation prefers to be the lead funder rather than a supplemental contributor.

Tree Planting Grant Criteria

For tree planting grants specifically, applications are rated on:

Project quality: Completeness of application, project outcomes, short and long-term impacts, cost effectiveness, and proposed methods for continuation or maintenance beyond the grant period
Budget accuracy: Eligibility of requested funds, adequate match and source, and correct use of funds
Linkage to plans: Preference given to proposals demonstrating linkage to local tree planting, urban forest, climate, or sustainability plans
Media engagement: Preference for proposals indicating plans or willingness to promote events and results by engaging local media

Recent Funded Projects

Understanding what the Foundation has recently funded provides insight into priorities:

2024 Community Transformation Grant Winners (examples):

All Things Women Inc. (Detroit): Expansion of services including emergency shelter and transitional housing for women, children, families, and veterans
Various locations: Housing services, youth empowerment, park restoration, education, and entrepreneurship programs across Detroit, Grand Rapids, Escanaba, Ypsilanti, and Lapeer

2024 Domestic Violence Support: $420,000 to 45 state-funded domestic violence shelters including S.A.F.E. Place (Battle Creek), Turning Point (Mt. Clemens), SafeCenter (St. Johns), and Anishnaabek Community and Family Services (Sault Ste. Marie)

Key Language and Themes

The Foundation emphasizes:

"Providing hope and inspiration to nonprofits making a difference in their communities"
"Making a meaningful and equitable difference" - equity is a core theme
"Underserved youth and adults" - targeting populations facing barriers
"Diverse workforce" - commitment to diversity and inclusion
"Jobs, equity, human needs and the environment" - four pillars of current strategy

Public Relations Expectations

Organizations must "be willing to fulfill press release and grant presentation requests." The Foundation values publicity for funded projects and expects grantees to participate in promotional activities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-only process: Do not submit unsolicited proposals. Contact Carol Moore (313-235-9271) to inquire about invitation opportunities and build relationships with the Foundation.
Geographic requirement is strict: Only Michigan-based organizations serving Michigan communities are eligible. Priority goes to DTE Energy service areas, particularly underserved neighborhoods.
Sustainability planning is essential: Applications must include detailed long-term sustainability plans showing how projects will continue beyond grant funding. This is an explicit requirement, not optional.
Majority contributor preference: The Foundation prefers to be the lead funder on projects, not a supplemental contributor. Structure your budget accordingly.
Align with quarterly themes: Time your outreach based on the quarterly focus areas (Q1: Education/Employment, Q2: Community Transformation/Economic Progress, Q3: Human Needs/Arts & Culture, Q4: Environment).
Equity lens matters: The Foundation has made equity a strategic priority under current leadership. Frame your work through an equity lens and demonstrate how you serve underserved populations.
Impact measurement capacity: Be prepared to provide detailed annual reports on community impact. Demonstrate your organization's capacity for outcome measurement and reporting.
Public engagement: The Foundation values publicity for its grants. Express willingness to participate in press releases, grant presentations, and media engagement.

References

All sources accessed December 2024.