ITC Michigan Donates $624K to Charitable Organizations in 2016
Donations promote education, social services, health and sustainability
NOVI, Mich., Dec. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ITC Michigan and its 543 employees donated more than $624 thousand to 38 charitable organizations in the state in 2016. ITC, the nation's largest independent electricity transmission company, provides donations to nonprofits that align with ITC's charitable interests and strengthen communities.
Highlighting ITC's donations in West Michigan was Grand Rapids-based Kids' Food Basket, which serves nearly 7,500 kids each weekday with sack suppers – well-rounded, nutritious evening meals – to attack childhood hunger to help young people learn and live well. ITC awarded a charitable grant to Kids' Food Basket, and company employees donated food, decorated sack supper bags, and helped pack the bags.
"The support of this initiative is critical," said Bridget Clark Whitney, executive director, Kids' Food Basket. "We know that when kids have access to food their minds and bodies grow strong and they do better in school. With the support of amazing community partners such as ITC, we can provide a child daily access to nutritious Sack Suppers that contain the brain food, healthy habits and a touch of love from the community's involvement and dedication to help local kids thrive."
Among Southeast Michigan organizations receiving support from ITC, Detroit-based Focus: HOPE Village Freedom School received a company grant as the final funding necessary to launch the HOPE Village Freedom School in June. Conducted in partnership with the Children's Defense Fund, the school is based on a national model of classroom programs to promote literacy and academic success.
"We are honored to have received such generous donations from ITC that allowed us to pilot our inaugural HOPE Village Freedom School, in partnership of the Children's Defense Fund," said Jason Lee, chief executive officer, Focus: HOPE. "The program combats summer learning loss for children from low-income households and promotes the development of strong, literate, and empowered young people with the theme, 'I can make a difference.'"
Click here to view a video about ITC's partnership with the HOPE Village Freedom School.
In addition, ITC presented grants to the following Michigan-based organizations through the company's Charitable Giving Program, one of a number of ITC's charitable activities:
- Alzheimer's Association – Greater Michigan Chapter, Southfield
- ArtPrize, Grand Rapids
- Cadillac Area Community Foundation, Cadillac
- Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit
- Child Care Network, Ann Arbor
- Farmington/Farmington Hills Education Foundation, Farmington
- The Fountain Clinic, Marshall
- Humble Design, Detroit
- Huron Pines, Gaylord
- InsideOut Literary Arts Project, Detroit
- East Lansing School District, East Lansing
- Michigan Science Center, Detroit
- Project Christmas, Cadillac
- Rainbow Connection, Rochester
- Ride for the Kids, Ann Arbor
- Rochester Community Schools Foundation, Rochester
- Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, Detroit
- Starfish Family Services, Inkster
- Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids
- YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region, Bay City
"ITC is committed to giving back to the communities we serve at every level, whether that is through company grants or through the generosity of our individual employees," said Simon Whitelocke, president, ITC Michigan. "As a member of these communities, it is our responsibility to be a positive influence and support the programs that are important to our neighbors."
ITC has donated more than $5.2 million to deserving nonprofits throughout its footprint since 2010, including organizations in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Through its charitable giving activities, ITC awards grants to qualified 501 (c) (3) organizations focused on social services, education, health and wellness, environmental stewardship, and arts and culture that deliver charitable services in the counties where ITC operates. Sources of ITC's contributions include special grants, executive donations, employee charitable outings and casual dress days. For more information about ITC's charitable giving program or to apply for a grant, visit http://www.itc-holdings.com/community-approach/philanthropy.
About ITC Michigan
ITC Holdings Corp. has two operating subsidiaries in Michigan: ITCTransmission and Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC), which together serve most of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. ITC's focus on transmission and grid expansion drives operational excellence and delivers superior value for customers, communities and other stakeholders.
About ITC Holdings Corp.
ITC, a Fortis company, is the largest independent electric transmission company in the United States. Based in Novi, Michigan, ITC invests in the electric transmission grid to improve reliability, expand access to markets, allow new generating resources to interconnect to its transmission systems and lower the overall cost of delivered energy. Through its regulated operating subsidiaries ITCTransmission, Michigan Electric Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, ITC owns and operates high-voltage transmission facilities in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, serving a combined peak load exceeding 26,000 megawatts along approximately 15,800 circuit miles of transmission line with 660 employees and nearly 1,000 contractors across its seven state footprint. ITC's grid development focus includes growth through regulated infrastructure investment as well as domestic and international expansion through merchant and other commercial development opportunities. ITC Holdings Corp. common shares are owned 80.1% by Fortis Inc. and 19.9% by GIC Private Limited. Additional information can be accessed at www.itc-holdings.com.
SOURCE ITC Michigan
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