DETROIT, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The DTE Energy Foundation is reminding nonprofit organizations that Jan. 31 is the deadline to apply for its 2008 Achieving Excellence Awards Program. With up to $400,000 in awards, the program is Michigan's largest corporate grant competition for nonprofit organizations. Grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 will be presented in five categories: innovation, merger, leadership, collaboration and sustainability. To be considered for the Achieving Excellence Awards, organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and be located within DTE Energy's service area. The competition is open to all organizations that meet the above criteria. Outside of the Achieving Excellence Awards, most DTE Energy Foundation grants are awarded under the Foundation's "LEAD" guidelines: leadership, education, environment, achievement, development and diversity. Applications will be judged by an independent panel of leaders in Michigan's philanthropic community. Winners will be announced in June 2008. Applications and additional information on the Achieving Excellence Awards may be obtained online at dteenergy.com/aea. Past winners of Achieving Excellence Awards include the Southwest Detroit Business Association, the Three Lakes Association, the Warren/Conner Development Coalition, the Inland Seas Education Association of Suttons Bay, and Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County. The DTE Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy, continuing the legacy of community support and involvement of its principal operating subsidiaries, Detroit Edison and MichCon. The Foundation directs its contributions and involvement to support initiatives dedicated to developing the human and economic potential of the communities it serves. DATASOURCE: DTE Energy CONTACT: Eileen Dixon, +1-313-235-9154, Lorie Kessler, +1-313-235-8807 Web site: http://www.dteenergy.com/ http://dteenergy.com/aea

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