Who we are
The DTE Energy Foundation supports initiatives focused on arts and culture, community transformation, economic progress, education and employment, environment and human needs with the goal of providing hope and inspiration to nonprofits making a difference in their communities. The Foundation is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all board members, and staff feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, education, or any other bias.
Foundation Partnership Highlights
ReLeaf Michigan
Their Mission:
ReLeaf Michigan is a statewide volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) tree planting and education organization that has been making Michigan communities stronger and healthier, one tree at a time, since 1988
ReLeaf Michigan is Michigan’s only statewide tree planting non-profit organization, working with communities and organizations throughout Michigan to protect and restore our urban tree canopies. Their mission is to educate the public on the value of trees and how to properly select, plant, and maintain them.
Founded by some of the most respected arborists in the state and building on lifetimes of green expertise, ReLeaf Michigan plants the Right Tree in the Right Place at the Right Time for the Right Purpose to ensure each tree thrives for generations to come.
Our Partnership:
The DTE Foundation began supporting ReLeaf Michigan in 1990 and has consistently supported the organization since 2015. The grants given to ReLeaf Michigan help plant hundreds of trees in communities throughout Michigan each year. Recently, a portion of DTE’s 2023 grant funded the nonprofit’s new QR program which allows metal plaques to be installed on the newly planted trees. Once the QR code on the plaque is scanned, people learn facts and information about the trees.
With support from the DTE Foundation, last year, ReLeaf Michigan:
- Planted 321 trees made up of 41 various tree species
- Engaged 520 local volunteers to help plant the trees, teaching proper planting methods
- Partnered with 14 communities to plant trees where they were most needed and will best thrive
Dutton Farm
Their Mission:
Dutton Farm empowers and supports adults with disabilities in Oakland County and beyond to live a life of purpose, inclusion and dignity. The organization offers an environment where individuals find dignified inclusion in schools, workplaces, government, communities, churches and beyond.
It was in 2010, out of love and respect for Rebecca “Becca” Smither, the daughter of Michele Smither and sister of Jenny Brown, that Dutton Farm established its roots. Seeing Becca struggle for years to find the right support in the community to give her the ability to explore her gifts and continue to grow, the mother-daughter team decided it was time to find a solution. With a property donation and continued support from Jim Smither, Becca’s father, Dutton Farm had a place to call home and the program began to take on a life. Dutton Farm continues to be a shining light of hope for adults, their families and the community, as they educate and inspire others to see the value that persons with unique abilities can contribute.
Knowing there were other individuals in the community who could benefit from their program, Michele and Jenny organized a team that could help advocate for and carry out their mission of “Empowering and supporting adults with disabilities to live a life of purpose, inclusion and dignity.
Our Partnership:
The DTE Foundation has been a partner of Dutton Farm since 2022, supplying the nonprofit with grants to enhance its workforce development and advocacy efforts. Dutton Farm’s Workforce Development Program promotes employment opportunities by providing prevocational training, job development and job coaching. Their unique approach involves an in-depth, personal process, resulting in a 95% employment success rate.
The grants from the Foundation allow Dutton Farm to strengthen its program by increasing outreach, training and advocacy efforts to achieve equity for this underserved population, creating more inclusive workplaces and communities.
Gleaners Community Food Bank
Their Mission:
We exist to provide households with access to sufficient, nutritious food and related resources. We accomplish this through collaboration, efficient operations, education, and innovative solutions to achieve a hunger-free community in Southeast Michigan.
More about Gleaners:
Headquartered in Detroit, Gleaners serves five Southeast Michigan counties: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe. Gleaners provides food to nearly 400 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, schools and other agencies across the region, and supplements the efforts of those partners by offering direct service drive-up grocery distributions.
Gleaners further empowers households with food programs and education to help overcome food insecurity. Every dollar donated provides three meals, and 92 percent of our expenses directly support our neighbors facing hunger.
Our Partnership:
The DTE Foundation has supported Gleaners Community Food Bank since the 1980s. Recently, the Foundation granted the nonprofit organization $100,000 for Gleaners’ Fresh Food for Healthy Children and Families program and $50,000 for Community Mobile Pantry program.