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.
2024 Michigan Highlights
Each year, ITC demonstrates its commitment to community development by extending support to a broad and diverse range of programs throughout Michigan. 2024 was no exception with a diverse list of programs supported through corporate matching by ITC, individual financial contributions, and dedicated volunteer hours. The following highlights just a portion of the programs that were supported this year.
ITC Creates Michigan State Fair Intern Sponsorship
ITC understands and supports the value of agriculture in Michigan, and has proudly supported the Michigan State Fair, since its reestablishment in 2013.
Over the summer, ITC worked with the State Fair to create the Michigan State Fair Intern Sponsorship. This inaugural program focused on educating and inspiring young professionals, as they pursued an internship with the State Fair. ITC worked directly with fair officials to enhance the learning potential of the interns, while increasing their capacity to take on new challenges during the State Fair, held Labor Day weekend.
ITC’s partnership with the State Fair embraces their commitment to the communities they serve, while focusing on building a stronger grid in the state. The company looks forward to continuing to work with current and future interns, preparing them for tomorrow’s workforce.
Detroit: Eastern Market Harvest Gala
The Eastern Market Harvest Gala is an Annual Benefit focused on raising funds to support Food Access Programs in Detroit and surrounding areas. The money raised is utilized to support the food insecurity needs of underserved members of the community by providing fresh foods and meals to individuals and families. The new program launched in 2024 is the “Dan Carmody Fresh Food Access Fund” focused on securing additional funding and donations to feed additional individuals in 2025.
In 2024 over 3,000 individuals were served and more than 30,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables were distributed. ITC’s support of both the Gala and Food Access Program aligns with our Community Engagement and outreach efforts to make a difference in the communities where we have assets.
Central/East: Ducks Unlimited Sponsorships
ITC supports local and State Ducks Unlimited (DU) programs and events to further the creation of habitat, education and wetlands necessary for the survival and proliferation of ducks and other migratory species. ITC’s efforts and support were recognized in 2024 in two key areas in MI – Harsens Island and Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge both locations serve as premier habitat required to support the seasonal migration of wildfowl species.
ITC is proud to support DU over the years, in making sure the habitat, food resources and education necessary to strengthen wildfowl throughout our footprint and across the country are available.
Northeast: Nature Know How (Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy)
ITC sponsored the 2024 Nature Know How series through the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy. The program series offered an engaging variety of educational classes and programs designed to deepen our connection to the natural world in our back yards and communities. Participants explored diverse topics, from local ecosystems and wildlife conservation to sustainable practices and outdoor skills. Each session was crafted to inspire curiosity, foster appreciation for nature, and equip individuals with practical knowledge for environmental stewardship. These were hands-on experiences, expert-led discussions, and opportunities to engage with the landscapes of the Saginaw River basin.
The Nature Know How series had something for everyone to discover the wonders of our Michigan natural environment. Learn more here.
West/Northwest: Albion Chamber of Commerce
ITC partnered with the Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce for its “Albion Money” program providing a dollar-for-dollar match, securing $10,000 to support local Albion businesses.
“ITC Michigan’s partnership and investment with Albion Money not only positively impacts our local Chamber member’s businesses, but extends to the residents of our community, by helping them to stretch their dollars even further,” said Billy Beers, president and CEO, Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. “It’s a win-win situation for business and community members.”
ITC Michigan’s partnership and membership also provides the Greater Albion Chamber the opportunity to share its commitment to supporting their local communities and those who make them great places to live and work.
Central: St. Johns Fantasy Forest 2.0 Project
ITC provided a $10,000 donation to the St. Johns Area Community Fund in support of their Fantasy Forest 2.0 project.
According to the Saint Johns Area Community Fund:
“Our vision is to create Fantasy Forest 2.0, a playground that embraces the community spirit and collaboration of the past while reflecting our modern goals. Fantasy Forest 2.0 will feature new play structures and flooring designed to enhance play experiences for people of all ages and abilities. It will be a sanctuary where laughter and adventure thrive, with a strong focus on safety and stimulation.”
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Photo courtesy of DTE Energy.
ITC Partners with Invention Convention at The Henry Ford
In early May, ITC partnered with Invention Convention at the Henry Ford in Dearborn. ITC provided an informational booth, explaining the different parts of the power grid and validating student passports. Additionally, ITC presented the Invention Convention Energy Award to Nathan Ondrus and Phillip Zhavoronkov (Ethan Wang, not pictured), 12th graders at Northville High School for their invention “AirAlign: Pitch Calibration for Turbines in Urban Areas.” Their invention provides “a pathway towards greater efficiency in the realm of urban wind energy.”
Invention Convention Michigan brings together problem solvers, inventors and entrepreneurs of all ages, backgrounds and disciplines, and inspires students to become the next generation of innovators. The program provides students in grades 3-12 an interactive and interdisciplinary opportunity to use the invention process to create and pitch an original product. While presenting their invention, students also built up their critical-thinking and entrepreneurial skills, with key winners qualifying to compete at Invention Convention U.S. Nationals.
