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Pistons owner Tom Gores donates $1 million to fund Flint Promise

By Duncan Smith

AUBURN HILLS, MI - APRIL 10: Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores has fun passing a basketball with a young fan after the final NBA game at the Palace of Auburn Hills between the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons on April 10, 2017 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Washington won the game 105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - APRIL 10: Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores has fun passing a basketball with a young fan after the final NBA game at the Palace of Auburn Hills between the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons on April 10, 2017 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Washington won the game 105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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On Wednesday morning, Detroit Pistons’ owner Tom Gores donated $1 million to fund Flint Promise, an initiative under his FlintNOW campaign.

Since buying the Detroit Pistons in 2011, Tom Gores has placed heavy emphasis on charitable contributions in the Flint, Michigan area. In the wake of the Flint water crisis, Gores began the FlintNOW campaign to provide private support for economic development, education, health care and nutrition for the city’s residents.

On Wednesday morning, Gores and Consumers Energy CEO and President Patti Poppe announced a commitment to donate $1 million each to fund Flint Promise, an initiative under FlintNOW.

Per release from the Pistons, Gores spoke about this commitment:

"“I am grateful to the Consumers Energy Foundation for joining us in this effort to provide every kid in Flint with the promise of a chance to go to college,” said Mr. Gores. “I grew up in Flint, went to school here and appreciate the power of education to transform people’s lives and revitalize a community. Every student who works hard deserves a chance to earn a college degree. We want to give those kids and their families a reason to dream and provide them the resources to make those dreams come true.”"

According to the release, Flint Promise will operate as follows:

"The Flint Promise will be a collaborative community-based effort led by a coalition of local Flint and Genesee County educators and philanthropic organizations. The Community Foundation of Greater Flint is helping spearhead the initiative with input from a stakeholder group that includes: Crim Fitness Foundation, Flint Community Schools, Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, FlintNOW Foundation, Genesee Intermediate School District, Hagerman Foundation, Kettering University, Mott Community College, United Way of Genesee County and University of Michigan – Flint."

In addition to Gores and the Pistons’ commitment to Flint, they’ve poured resources into the Metro Detroit area, with an emphasis on the city itself. In agreement with the city as they prepare to move back to Detroit, the Pistons are involved in renovating basketball courts around the city.

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They also have initiatives such as the “Reading Room Makeover”, which they run in cooperation with Farm Bureau Insurance. This year’s winner of a library makeover was the J.E. Clark Preparatory Academy in east Detroit.

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