The Community Foundation recently announced the new All Star Services corporate donor advised fund, but we can’t mention corporate giving without recognizing our friends at DTE Energy Foundation, who established a corporate donor advised fund in 2019.

“DTE Foundation is proud to partner with the Community Foundation for their extensive community knowledge and community leadership that helps give our company and foundation a local lens and connections in the communities we serve,” said Jennifer Lawson, program manager at DTE Energy Foundation.

DTE Energy Foundation Fund supports the arts, human needs and community prosperity, and that is reflective of the giving this year with awards totaling $56,500 to local organizations and initiatives. 

This summer, DTE Foundation used the fund to support neighborhood revitalization and awarded $25,000 to the Community Foundation. This grant was used to help launch the Atrium Kitchen at the former Atrium Café location – a vacant, overgrown space surrounded by homes in downtown Port Huron. The newly launched space will be revitalized and be used as a haven for local food entrepreneurs who need space to cook or bake and grow their business.  

More recently, DTE Foundation granted $20,000 from their corporate donor advised fund to ensure local food pantries are prepared for the holidays. Mid City Nutrition, Yale Community Food Fund, Downriver Helping Hands and SOS Marysville Food Pantry each received $5,000.

DTE Foundation then relied on the Community Foundation staff’s local expertise to help award a total of $5,000 to Blue Water Safe Horizons, Salvation Army, Wings of The Harbor, New Life North Church and SCCORE to help provide food for their clients in need over the holidays.

Another $6,500 will also be used for live music entertainment during the Icy Bazaar in downtown St. Clair.

“DTE Foundation wants to create lasting impact in our communities and working with the Community Foundation helps us do that,” Lawson said.