The DTE Energy Foundation is fully activated during this crisis to help our customers and our communities during this unprecedented pandemic, working hand in hand with nonprofits to address critical needs. The DTE Energy Foundation is working tirelessly to aid families and communities through this trying time.
Donating essential PPE
The Foundation supported delivery of two million kN95 mask to hospitals and first responders across Michigan. It has also obtained masks for the Detroit Police Department, the Highland Park Police Department and other hospitals across metropolitan Detroit to protect those on the front lines of COVID-19. These critical kN95 masks were sourced through our DTE’s outstanding worldwide supplier network.
Supporting nonprofits
The Foundation also matched all donations to the Michigan Association of United Ways and Michigan Community Action in April, totaling $1.3 million. In addition, the Foundation is supporting more than 1,000 non-profits across Michigan, funding more than three million meals and helping 500,000 families with basic needs. It is also supporting non-profit organizations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Louisiana where DTE Energy’s Gas Storage & Pipeline as well as its Power & Industrial divisions have a presence. These nonprofits are focused on helping individuals, families and communities weather the COVID-19 crisis by supplying food, shelter and more.
Supporting small business
TechTown created the Detroit Small Business Stabilization Fund, providing $5,000 emergency assistance grants to help small businesses during the health emergency. The DTE Foundation, in cooperation with Tech Town, the City of Detroit, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) and Invest Detroit, stepped up to support this need by supporting 200 small businesses with its Emergency Fund for businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The City of Detroit, Accenture, the DTE Foundation and DEGC have also partnered to provide advisory services to Detroit small businesses applying for COVID-19 financial relief funds. The Foundation is supporting this effort by identifying and engaging with technical support organizations like the Accounting Aid Society of Detroit and directing this support to Detroit small businesses. The DTE Foundation understands that, in these difficult times, small businesses need a hand. The Foundation has made sure to support small businesses across the state and continues to evaluate ways it can help businesses survive this crisis.
Bridging the digital divide
The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) estimates that only 10% of its students have access to both a device and internet access. When schools were closed in early March, this issue was even more clear as students could not take advantage of online learning or connect with teachers on video chats.
The DTE Energy Foundation, Detroit Public Schools Community District, Skillman Foundation, Quicken Loans, General Motors and the Kellogg Foundation will put a computer with high-speed internet, along with technical support, into the hands of every DPSCD K-12 student this summer, bridging the digital divide for these students.
Now, students will be able to keep up on their lessons over the summer, returning in September ready to take on the challenges of a new academic year. The program will benefit the entire family as well: students can learn while their families will be able to search and apply for jobs online.
There is likely to be a long road to recovery for both families and businesses across the state. The DTE Foundation is fully activated and will continue to do what it has done for decades – support the Michigan nonprofits doing critical work for the our state’s residents and small businesses.