DTE Energy Foundation is a private corporate foundation based in Detroit, Michigan, established in October 1988. The foundation supports communities through initiatives and organizations focused on creating lasting impact across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$129.1M
+7.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$15.8M
-20.3% YoY
Grant Count
442
+13.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
-29.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dte Energy Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The DTE Energy Foundation supports the community through initiatives and organizations focused on:
Arts & Culture – Funding artistic works that reflect community voices, support inclusivity, and provide broader opportunities to engage with the arts. Priority areas include arts education, cultural representation, and access to the arts.
Human Needs – Supporting equitable programming centered around fundamental human needs, with priority given to organizations addressing food security, homelessness, and essential support services to underserved populations.
Community Transformation – Transforming underserved and disinvested communities by enhancing safety, expanding positive opportunities, and providing supportive services for youth and families. Priority areas include placemaking, positive family development, and community-driven solutions.
Economic Progress – Supporting career development and economic advancement initiatives.
Education & Employment – Funding education and career development programs.
Environment – Supporting environmental initiatives.
The foundation's goal is to provide hope and inspiration to nonprofits making a difference in their communities.
Grantmaking
DTE Foundation grant applications are accepted by invitation-only, directly in correlation with a quarterly schedule:
Grant Range
$11,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grantmaking is concentrated in Michigan, with some activity in South Carolina and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Income (2024):
- Total Assets: $129,139,057
- Annual Income: $46.5M
Assets & Income (2023):
- Total Assets: $120M
- Total Liabilities: $14.5M
- Revenue: $4.5M
- Expenses: $26.3M
Historical Asset Growth: Total assets have grown from $50.2M in 2011 to $129.1M in 2024.
Recent Giving (2024):
- Total Giving: $14,619,590
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $129,139,057 | $120,093,193 | $124,858,974 |
| Revenue | $19,858,012 | $4,503,774 | $3,314,912 |
| Expenses | $15,264,335 | $26,326,369 | $12,504,046 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $16,280,114 | $19,419,471 | $18,056,646 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,739,065 | $4,180,060 | $3,256,135 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,831,445 | $5,913,006 | $6,792,945 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Forests ($250,000), American National Red Cross & Its ($150,000), American National Red Cross & Its ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 826 MICHIGAN INC ANN ARBOR, MI | ARTS & CULTURE | $10,000 |
| 92 FOR 22 ALLENDALE, MI | COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION | $5,000 |
| ACCENT PONTIAC INC BEVERLY HILLS, MI | ARTS & CULTURE | $2,500 |
| ACCESS DEARBORN, MI | COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION | $100,000 |
| ACCOUNTING AID SOCIETY DETROIT, MI | ECONOMIC PROGRESS | $30,000 |
| AFFIRMATIONS COMMUNITY CENTER FERNDALE, MI | COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION | $5,000 |
| AFPD FOUNDATION INC WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | EDUCATION | $7,500 |
| AFTER 26 PROJECT INC CADILLAC, MI | EDUCATION | $26,000 |
| ALKEBU-LAN VILLAGE DETROIT, MI | EDUCATION | $5,000 |
| ALL THINGS WOMEN INC LIVONIA, MI | COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Lynette Dowler
The foundation is governed by 8 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RODNEY E COLE SR | CHAIR, PRESIDENT, & DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
| DAVID RUUD | DIRECTOR, TREASURER & SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| JOANN CHAVEZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TREVOR F LAUER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOI HARRIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PAULA SILVER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EVETTE GRIFFIE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation offered $150,000 in grants to nonprofits through its Community Empowerment Awards program.
DTE Energy Foundation offers $150000 in grants to nonprofits ...**COVID-19 Response Activities:**
During the pandemic, the foundation:
Purchased and provided PPE kits (gloves, sanitizer, and masks) to small businesses in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon
Provided face masks to first responders in Michigan communities
Provided 51,000 laptops equipped with high-speed internet connectivity for all Detroit Public Schools Community District students as part of the Connected Futures Coalition
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Dte Energy Foundation fund?
The DTE Energy Foundation supports the community through initiatives and organizations focused on: • **Arts & Culture** – Funding artistic works that reflect community voices, support inclusivity, and provide broader opportunities to engage with the arts. Priority areas include arts education, cultural representation, and access to the arts. • **Human Needs** – Supporting equitable programming centered around fundamental human needs, with priority given to organizations addressing food security…
How do I apply for a grant from Dte Energy Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • According to available records, DTE Energy Foundation has made 2,370 grants totaling $102.1M • Median grant size: $11,000 • Individual grants have ranged from $500 to $3.1M • Typical awards range from $100 to $2,850,000 • Annual distribution has ranged between $19.8M and $36.8M from 2020 to 2023 • Grantmaking activity was highest in 2022 with $36.8M distributed across 778 grants **Application Process:** DTE Foundation grant applications are accepted by invitation-only, dir…
Where does Dte Energy Foundation make grants?
Grantmaking is concentrated in Michigan, with some activity in South Carolina and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does Dte Energy Foundation award?
In 2024, Dte Energy Foundation awarded 442 grants totaling $15.8M — an average of about $36K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Dte Energy Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Dte Energy Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Dte Energy Foundation's EIN?
Dte Energy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2708636. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dte Energy Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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