About Michigan Energy First
Putting Michigan first: promote Michigan-made energy, strengthen Michigan's grid, and innovate to reach net zero by 2050—or sooner.
Focus Areas
Energy policyElectric grid reliabilityClean energy / decarbonizationEconomic development in MichiganPublic education/outreach
Who They Fund
not specified in provided text
Funding Style
not specified in provided text
Topics
not specified in provided text
About Michigan Energy First
Michigan Energy First gives at a scale that puts several six-figure and seven-figure awards into Michigan policy and advocacy work. Among the largest recent grants, it awarded $750,000 to Road to Michigan's Future in 2023 and another $750,000 to Building a Better Economy in 2025, showing sustained support for organizations tied to the state’s energy and economic agenda. The foundation also backed Michigan Values with $450,000 in 2023 and $150,000 in 2025, and gave $500,000 to 21st Century Fund in 2025. Its grant list centers on Michigan-focused groups working on energy policy, electric grid reliability, clean energy and decarbonization, economic development, and public education and outreach. The pattern suggests a funder that uses large institutional grants to advance a broader Michigan-first energy strategy rather than small project-by-project awards. Several recipients appear more than once, including Road to Michigan's Future, Building a Better Economy, Michigan Values, and Protecting Detroit's Future, which points to repeat support across multiple years.
What Michigan Energy First Funds
Energy policy is a core theme in the recent grant record. Michigan Energy First gave $120,000 to the Michigan Chamber of Commerce in 2023 and $50,000 again in 2025, both to further tax exempt purpose. It also granted $100,000 to Transit Matters in 2023, indicating interest in mobility and systems tied to energy use. Clean energy and decarbonization show up in support for The Heat and Warmth Fund, which received $12,500 in 2024 and another $12,500 in 2025. Economic development appears in grants such as $50,000 to Jobs for Michigan Council in 2024 and $250,000 to Great Lakes Works in 2025. Public education and outreach also fits the funding pattern, including $200,000 to Voters for Transparency & Term Limits in 2023 and $35,000 to Michigan Families Matter in 2025.
How Michigan Energy First Gives
Michigan Energy First’s grant sizes are concentrated in the six-figure range: the 25th percentile is $25,000, the median is $100,000, and the 75th percentile is $150,000. The top awards reach $750,000, while smaller grants in the record include $12,500 and $20,000. Recipients often appear in more than one year, including Road to Michigan's Future, Michigan Values, Protecting Detroit's Future, Put Progress First, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and The Heat and Warmth Fund. The foundation is not a funder of individuals and does not make program-related investments. The available records show grants made through 2025.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$2.8M
Total Assets
$4.3M
Total Revenue
$234K
Total Expenses
$3.5M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $25K and $150K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$150K
Geographic Reach
Local3 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
Theresa Uzenski
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