Consumers Energy Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $7,820,257 (2023 tax year)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly board reviews
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $50,000 (most grants); signature awards up to $250,000
• Geographic Focus: Michigan (primarily Lower Peninsula)

Contact Details

• Address: One Energy Plaza, EP8-210, Jackson, MI 49201
• Phone: 517-788-0432
• Email: foundation@cmsenergy.com
• EIN: 38-2935534

Overview

Consumers Energy Foundation is a corporate foundation established in 1990 that supports Michigan communities through strategic philanthropic investments. With total assets of $55,085,639 as of 2023, the foundation distributed $7,820,257 in grants during the 2023 tax year. The foundation focuses on three priority areas—People, Planet, and Prosperity—investing in initiatives that strengthen Michigan communities throughout the state, particularly in the Lower Peninsula where Consumers Energy has a business presence.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation organises its grantmaking around three main priorities:

People: Reducing poverty levels in Michigan by focusing on basic needs, education, and workforce readiness

Planet: Protecting and preserving Michigan's land, water, and air

Prosperity: Supporting economic development through neighbourhood revitalisation, job growth, and arts and culture

Grant Programmes

General Grant Programme The foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis for capital projects and programme/operational support. The majority of grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, though most are one-time grants, with some multi-year awards considered.

Signature Award Programmes The foundation awards three signature grant programmes totalling $1.5 million annually:

• People Awards: Supporting basic needs, education, and workforce readiness initiatives
• Planet Awards: Supporting environmental protection and preservation projects
• Prosperity Awards: Providing up to $250,000 to two or more Michigan nonprofits or municipalities for projects with long-term community benefits

These signature programmes use a two-phase process with letters of intent followed by full applications for selected finalists.

Employee-Related Programmes

• Employee Matching Gifts Programme: Matches employee and retiree donations dollar-for-dollar for gifts of $25 or more, up to $1,000 per year per person
• Volunteer Investment Programme (VIP): Awards grants of $100 to $500 to nonprofits where employees and retirees volunteer
• Caring for Community Grants: Provides $250 grants when employees volunteer as a group

More than $440,000 was donated through the employee and retiree volunteer grant and matching gift programmes in 2023.

Governance and Leadership

Contact: Catherine Wilson, Secretary/Treasurer

The foundation operates with a board of directors that reviews grant proposals on a quarterly basis.

Application Process & Timeline

Eligibility

The foundation provides financial support primarily to Michigan organisations classified as tax-exempt under IRS section 501(c)(3). The foundation does not award grants to individuals.

Whilst primarily focused on communities in Michigan's Lower Peninsula where Consumers Energy has a business presence, the foundation will consider requests from organisations located elsewhere for programmes or projects that significantly benefit the state and communities served by Consumers Energy.

How to Apply

General Grants Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the foundation's website. There are no specific grant deadlines, but proposals are reviewed quarterly by the board of directors, generally at the end of each quarter. Applicants receive notification once a decision has been made.

Signature Award Programmes The People, Planet, and Prosperity Awards use a letter of intent process. Specific deadlines are announced for each programme cycle, with letters of intent reviewed before selected organisations are invited to submit full applications.

Employee-Related Programmes Current employees and retirees access the matching gift and volunteer grant programmes through the CE Volunteer Portal.

Grant Review Process

Grants are evaluated based on:

• Alignment with foundation priorities
• Need for the project or programme
• Proposed budget and requested amount
• Implementation plan and potential impact on people and communities
• Geographic benefit to Consumers Energy service territory

Organisations are encouraged to contact the foundation before applying to discuss potential alignment: foundation@cmsenergy.com or 517-788-0432.

Application Success Factors

• Strong alignment with one or more of the three priority areas (People, Planet, Prosperity)
• Clear demonstration of community impact and long-term benefits
• Geographic connection to Michigan, particularly the Lower Peninsula
• Realistic budget that demonstrates efficient use of grant funds
• Employee engagement opportunities (volunteer programmes can open doors to foundation support)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis, with quarterly board reviews
• Most grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, though signature awards provide significantly more
• Strong Michigan focus, particularly in Consumers Energy's Lower Peninsula service territory
• Three clear priority areas provide framework for all grantmaking
• Employee volunteer engagement can be an additional pathway to foundation support
• Foundation is open to multi-year funding in some cases
• Contact the foundation before applying to discuss potential fit

References

• Consumers Energy Foundation website (consumersenergy.com/community/foundation), accessed May 2026
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Consumers Energy Foundation (EIN: 38-2935534), IRS Form 990-PF data for tax year 2023
• Foundation Directory (Candid), Consumers Energy Foundation profile, accessed May 2026
• DoubleTheDonation.com, employee matching gift and volunteer programme details, accessed May 2026