The DTE Energy Foundation awarded more than $1 million in grants to eight Michigan-based organizations focused on encouraging equity. Grant recipients include the Council of Michigan Foundations, Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation, Dutton Farm, GreenLight Fund, Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development (LaSED), Neighborhood Defender Service of Detroit, New Detroit and NEW (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, Inc.).
“The Foundation will continue to ensure its grantmaking process supports social justice, leading us to partner with nonprofits that share similar goals, such as racial justice. It’s an honor to award these incredible organizations that continue to make a positive impact in our neighborhoods,” said Lynette Dowler, president, DTE Foundation. “The strength, support and passion of our community partners are vital in helping us carry out our mission of service.”
The DTE Foundation’s support will be used by the following grant recipients to develop programs, seed current projects and create partnerships that support social justice and racial equity efforts.
- Council of Michigan Foundations – $250,000
- The grant will advance the Statewide Equity Fund Strategic Support program that provides funding for technical expertise and overall guidance for municipalities and nonprofits in developing equity-centered approaches for stimulus funding.
- Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation – $100,000
- The Detroit Regional Chamber grant will be used to support the organization’s focus on racial justice and economic equity, making education more equitable for Detroiters, empowering neighborhoods and entrepreneurs, advocating for fair and equal legislation, and embracing critical conversations with national thought leaders and local business, government, and civic leaders.
- Dutton Farm – $30,000
- The grant will support the Dutton Farm Workforce Development Program, which provides skill-building, career development and customized employment supports to adults with developmental disabilities.
- GreenLight Fund – $225,000
- This grant will fund the organization’s innovative approach to filling critical service gaps for families in need and stimulating local support to maximize social impact and long-term sustainability.
- Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development (LaSED) – $10,000
- This support will be used to assist people of all ages with a variety of bilingual services including citizenship classes, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, summer youth programs, and a senior center.
- Neighborhood Defender Service of Detroit (NDS) – $20,000
- This will be used to help Wayne County residents retain their housing through the Eviction Defense Practice, providing legal representation and related social work to individuals and their families who are facing eviction as the result of an arrest or COVID-related hardships.
- New Detroit – $100,000
- The grant will support trainings, education, research, advocacy, and partnerships to fight racism at the personal, institutional, and systemic levels.
- NEW (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, Inc.) – $270,000
- This will support the Advancing Racial and Social Justice program, which equips Michigan’s nonprofit leaders to steward their missions while advancing racial justice.
The DTE Foundation is dedicated to cultivating diverse, inclusive, and equitable communities and supports initiatives focused on arts and culture, community transformation, economic progress, education and employment, environment and human needs.