Community Involvement and Support
Supporting Our Communities
At ITC Michigan, our community involvement extends well beyond providing reliable energy. We believe it is our responsibility to take an active role in developing long-lasting relationships and partnerships within our communities. We are dedicated to being a good neighbor and providing support for programs that are important to the communities we serve.
2023 Michigan Highlights
Reflecting on the past year, ITC demonstrated its commitment to community development by extending support to a broad and diverse range of programs throughout Michigan. This support was shown through corporate matching by ITC, individual financial contributions, and dedicated volunteer hours. The following highlights a selection of the programs that were supported throughout 2023.
Northwest: McLaren Northern Michigan
To help increase mental health resources in northern Michigan, ITC has provided support for the renovation of the Justin A. Borra Behavioral Health Center in Cheboygan. The Behavioral Health Center of McLaren Northern Michigan offers the community a breath of resources including an 18-bed Pulte Family Foundation Adult Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, that specializes in intensive inpatient care. McLaren officials say the Center will provide a significant boost to across the twenty-two counties that McLaren Northern Michigan serves.
Northwest: Conservation Resource Alliance Wild Roots Pilot Program
Since 2019, ITC has supported the Conservation Resource Alliance Wild Roots Pilot Program with a goal of planting 100,000 native trees and shrubs across Northwest Michigan. This initiative is designed to follow nature’s lead in rebuilding our ecosystems and combating climate change. With services extended to over 20 counties, the involvement of more than 250 landowners, and the engagement of over 200 passionate volunteers, the program has exceeded its planting goal by reaching a total of 112,500.
Southeast: American Cancer Society
During ITC’s spring Greater Giving campaign, the ITC Power Walkers surpassed their $15,000 fundraising goal and raised $52,386 for the Relay for Life of Canton/Plymouth event.
This was the largest Relay for Life donation in ITC History!
Central: AgroLiquid’s IQhub.
ITC provided ongoing support of the AgroLiquid IQhub, an educational center in St. Johns, for agricultural history, innovation and exploration. This 9,500 square foot facility educates visitors on how farmers produce food and fiber, while exploring our foods route from farm to fork. This year, ITC provided an additional donation for the group’s Community Classroom Capital Campaign, a new STEM Community Classroom that will provide a collaborative learning lab for agriculture-based education, career awareness and entrepreneurship. This classroom will become an educational hub for community members and local schools in central Michigan.
West: Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
Over the course of several events in 2023, ITC helped plant more than 1,000 trees in Grand Rapids parks and distributed more than 300 trees for residential use.
This initiative not only enhanced the city’s green spaces but also empowered residents to contribute to these efforts.
Detroit: Murals in the Market
In September 2023, ITC proudly sponsored the annual Murals in Islandview Festival, a vibrant celebration of art and community held in Detroit. For the 2023 edition, a diverse group of artists were given the opportunity to paint the newly constructed DTE Islandview substation.
This substation, located on Beaufait Street between Charlevoix Street and East Vernor Highway, became a testament to the power of art in community building, thanks to the incredible talent and vision of the participating artists.
Celebrating 20 Years with 20 Days of Service
In celebration of ITC’s 20-year anniversary earlier this year, employees had the opportunity to give back to organizations throughout our footprint, during ITC’s 20 Days of Service initiative.
Throughout 20 Days of Service, ITC Michigan employees connected with and supported several organizations committed to serving various communities across our state. They donated non-perishable food items to Metro Detroit’s Gleaners Community Food Bank and Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor. Employees also donated personal and household items to Lighthouse Oakland County and SHARE Center in Battle Creek in support of those facing housing insecurity. Additionally, they donated gently used and new duffle bags, backpacks and suitcases to Ann Arbor-based Wolverine Human Services to support children in foster care.
ITC Michigan employees also volunteered to support community partner, Fleece & Thank You through the assembly of 120 colorful fleece blankets for children undergoing hospital treatment. Other volunteer activities included packing clothes for River Rouge High School students and medical supplies for Lansing-based Care Free Medical’s patient visits.
blankets for Fleece & Thank You
