For CMS Energy, Consumers Energy, its employees and retirees, corporate social responsibility is a journey that began with the company’s inception in 1886.
Besides being a scientist, visionary and astute businessman, company founder and first president William A. Foote had homes built for employees near the company’s rural dam sites. After his death, his widow, Ida, donated the land on which W. A. Foote Memorial Hospital, now known as Allegiance Health, was built.
The philanthropic tradition the Foote family began more than a century ago continues today. In many communities, Consumers Energy is the leading employer; however, we understand that our role reaches beyond employment.
To create strong communities, we must demonstrate that we care for communities. That commitment guides our decisions and directs our actions.
In 1990, Consumers Energy created the Consumers Energy Foundation to give the utility’s philanthropic efforts a stable, focused direction.
Consumers Energy has touched countless lives and energized communities for more than 125 years through foundation grants, employee and retiree contributions and corporate giving. Together, we support a wide range of community-based nonprofit organizations working every day to make lives better.
Our ongoing efforts help shape communities where people of all ages — from the very young to the very senior — can thrive and every community can grow into a sustainable, vibrant place to live and work.
Last year, Michigan nonprofit organizations received $10 million in contributions from Consumers Energy, its employees, retirees, our foundation, and the utility’s parent company, CMS Energy.
Our investments are made not only in money, but also by the “helping hands” expertise and community involvement of our employees and retirees. In working to enrich lives, we have been enriched by the gratifying experiences of being a good corporate citizen.
We are committed to improving the quality of life in Michigan and building a long-lasting foundation of responsibility and trust with the people we serve.
Updated March 2013
Marj Longcore
Education Program Manager
Well, I’m really proud to be able to represent Consumers Energy. When we go into the classroom, we are able to make a personal connection with students. We don’t just deliver products, we’re serving real people. To be able to go in the classroom and talk about how to be safe with those products is very rewarding to me. When I walk away, and I know that a student is going to be safer because they are going to make better choices with electricity or if they are encountering some sort of situation with electricity, I know they are going to make a better choice.
And, I know that when they are outside playing and they see one of those colored flags sticking out of the ground, they are going to choose not pull it out because they know now that it’s keeping somebody else safe. Those two things are very rewarding to walk away and feel.
Employees prepare meals for homebound seniors.
