The Consumers Energy Foundation is dedicated to ensuring all Michigan residents thrive economically, and have access to world-class educational resources. So we make it a priority to fund nonprofit organizations dedicated to ending poverty and reducing Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) individuals in Michigan. Whether they provide basic needs or resources for learning, development, higher education or career readiness, each organization we support helps provide people with economic security.
Basic Needs
The Consumers Energy Foundation supports nonprofit agencies that help families and individuals in crisis and provide a pathway to self-sufficiency. These nonprofits care for Michigan’s most vulnerable populations by providing basic needs including shelter, food, clothing, and household goods, as well as job skills to enable future security and self-sufficiency.
These agencies, including United Way, community action agencies, food banks and food programs, shelters, senior services centers, and more offer a ray of hope during times of chaos and uncertainty.
Education
A quality education is the first step to preparing youth for a promising future. Data indicates that 3rd grade reading levels predict high school success and directly contribute to greater high school graduation rates. Our focus areas are pre-K through higher education, with an emphasis on early childhood programs and college readiness.
We foster creative approaches to early childhood development like the Great Start Collaborative Traverse Bay’s 5toOne initiative and the Library of Michigan’s Ready to Read Michigan program, and programs that support and mentor K-12 students including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson.
Workforce Readiness
We’re also involved in a statewide effort to increase the number of qualified applicants for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and skilled labor jobs in Michigan. We support programs encouraging students to pursue STEM careers, such as FIRST in Michigan (Robotics), and higher education programs specific to STEM/skilled trade careers in Michigan, with an emphasis on Energy. Our goal is to ensure that Michigan has a skilled talent pool available now and many years to come.
Recent grant recipients include Kalamazoo RESA Youth Opportunities Unlimited career pathway initiative, Kinexus Youth Solutions’ skills development program, the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program, MSU College of Engineering CoRe Experience – a first-year engineering program, and more.