Two million: That’s the commitment that Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and the Consumers Energy Foundation collectively pledged toward creating a Flint Promise scholarship fund for Flint high school graduates.

Consumers Energy Foundation’s $1 million commitment is the largest it has ever given, according to company officials, who distributed $840,000 to Genesee County-based nonprofits over the past five years.

 This is a “no wait” program, with the first round of support being targeted to the 2018 class of graduates pursuing post-secondary education.

The Gores’ donation is a part of his organization’s water crisis and relief and support fund coined FlintNOW, which has provided millions of dollars to organizations working to improve economic development, health care and nutrition in the area.

This is a “no wait” program, with the first round of support being targeted to the 2018 class of graduates pursuing post-secondary education.

There will be a ramp-up period as organizers build to their total funding goal of $5 million, which they anticipate will provide ample funding support students who live in the city of Flint and graduate from a Flint high school.

Gores, a Flint native, is excited and grateful about the partnership with the Consumers Energy Foundation.

“I grew up in Flint, went to school here and appreciate the power of education to transform people’s lives and revitalize a community,” he says. “Every student who works hard deserves a chance to earn a college degree.”

Consumers Energy President and CEO Patti Poppe calls the foundation’s commitment a “down payment on a bright future” for Flint.

Many scholarship details are still to be determined.

The Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF) will take charge of the effort in collaboration with organizations and schools including the Crim Fitness Foundation, Flint Community Schools, Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, Kettering University, United Way of Genesee County and University of Michigan – Flint.

Isiah Oliver, the president & CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, pledges to seek input from a diverse group of local stakeholders, who he feels are critical contributors to the process and ultimately, success of the program.

Lead photo: Graduate photo courtesy of University of Michigan Flint

  Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Consumers Energy Foundation, Crim Fitness Foundation, Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, Flint Community Schools, Flint Promise scholarship fund, Kettering University, U-M Flint, United Way of Genesee County

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