JACKSON, MI, April 29, 2024 -- The Consumers Energy Foundation is calling on nonprofit organizations across the state to submit letters of intent for the 2024 People Awards. The grants will provide as much as $250,000 to two or more nonprofits or municipalities aiming to ensure all Michigan residents thrive economically and have access to basic needs. 

The People Awards are the second of three $500,000 signature grant rounds in 2024, totaling $1.5 million. The winners of the 2024 People Awards will be announced in July. The Planet Award winners were announced in April, and the request for proposals will be announced later in the year for the Prosperity Awards. Letters of intent for the People Awards must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 10, to be considered for the next phase of the application process. 

This year, the Foundation is seeking letters of intent to support its basic needs priority to ensure access for all Michigan residents to:

·       Shelter

·       Food

·       Clothing

·       Household goods

·       Job skills training

·       Other related projects

Last year, the Consumers Energy Foundation’s People Awards helped the Jackson Friendly and John George Homes and The Storehouse of Community Resources work to provide economic security for residents in the greater Jackson and Grand Rapids areas.

The Consumers Energy Foundation is the charitable arm of Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider. The Foundation contributes to the growth and strengthening of Michigan communities by investing in what’s most important — our people, our planet and Michigan’s prosperity. In 2023, the Consumers Energy Foundation, Consumers Energy, its employees and retirees contributed more than $11 million to Michigan nonprofits.  

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