By: Dana Johnson

We’re on a journey to embed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into everything we do—for the good of our co-workers, customers and communities. We’ve taken a stand to create equitable, sustainable change by deploying $15 million by the end of 2023 to support social justice initiatives throughout Michigan. One way we fulfill this commitment is through the work of the Consumers Energy Foundation, the charitable arm of our company funded by shareholder investments.  

Our Foundation supports organizations working to advance racial and ethnic justice and striving to further equity for women, veterans, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with mental and physical disabilities, and people living below the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) threshold. This is why the Consumers Energy Foundation recently awarded $100,000 to support five community foundations across Michigan that are actively engaged in DEI initiatives in their communities.  

Read on to see how these dollars will be uniquely directed to support each community: 

  • Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF) – $20,000
    • CFGF staff is part of a multi-sector Racial Inequities Task Force that has identified gun violence as having a disproportionate impact on racial and ethnic minorities. Grant funds from the Consumers Energy Foundation will support organizations focused on gun violence interruption. 
  • Community Foundation for Muskegon County (CFMC) – $20,000
    • Integrating the applicants from the Leading Efforts Against Discrimination (LEAD) Giving Circle, CFMC will use funding from the Consumers Energy Foundation to enhance grantmaking to grassroots groups focused on strengthening local communities.  
  • Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation – $20,000
    • Grant funds will be allocated to the community foundation’s DEI Fund, which primarily provides support for organizations led by Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrant, neurodiverse and/or disabled community members alongside equity and inclusion programs, trainings and initiatives. 
  • Jackson Community Foundation (JCF) – $20,000
    • Grant funding will be used with JCF’s Community Needs Fund to support its Community Impact Grant Round for Program and Operational grants. JCF’s Grant Committee will prioritize funding for organizations to promote learning, action, and advocacy aimed at advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in Jackson County. 
  • Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) – $20,000
    • The award from the Consumers Energy Foundation will boost funding for KZCF’s new Sustaining BIPOC Leaders Grant initiative. These grants provide rest, respite, professional development, executive coaching and wellness options to local nonprofit leaders. 

These community foundations are vetted, trusted leaders, partners and advocates in their communities, and we believe that collaborating with them will result in localized, meaningful impact.  

We’re excited to support local organizations committed to this important work and see the impact this grant funding will have throughout Michigan communities.