Building the Foundation

For over two decades, the SET SEG Foundation has supported Michigan’s educational community by uplifting students, recognizing educators, and investing in the future of education.

Where It All Began

From its earliest days, the vision behind the Foundation was simple but powerful: give back to Michigan public schools and create meaningful opportunities for students, especially those facing economic barriers or from under-resourced communities. Guided by this mission, the Foundation began with thoughtful, intentional steps, identifying ways to repurpose funds and reinvest them into programs that would make a real difference.

• Education Excellence Awards, the Foundation’s first major initiative, to recognize and support schools doing exceptional work for students. This program set the tone for the Foundation’s mission, demonstrating the power of supporting schools and students with the tools and encouragement to lead.
• Then sponsoring student attendance for the MASC/MAHS Summer Leadership Camp, where students from across Michigan come together to build confidence, practice communication, and return to their schools ready to lead and inspire positive change.
• And more recently providing Skilled Trades Scholarships to support students exploring hands-on, practical career paths.

Today, its impact extends across dozens of counties, reaching more students every year and helping schools build stronger, more supportive communities.

From the beginning, the Foundation prioritized equity by funding scholarships, celebrating school-led innovation, and offering leadership opportunities to students across Michigan. This commitment to inclusion and opportunity has helped the Foundation grow its reach and impact year after year.

As we look back on more than 20 years of service, we celebrate the people who helped bring the Foundation to life. That includes early champions like Chuck Miller, one of the Foundation’s original trustees, who played a key role in shaping its vision and purpose. Chuck believed deeply that young people are our future and that investing in them is essential to helping them succeed. Alongside him were SET SEG leaders who saw an opportunity to invest in something greater. Board members and staff worked behind the scenes to turn bold ideas into real programs, and educators and community members championed the Foundation’s mission in their schools, united by a shared belief that every student deserves a fair shot.

We are celebrating more than just a span of time. We are recognizing years of meaningful growth, fueled by a desire to make a lasting difference. The Foundation expanded not just because the need was great, but because people stepped up to meet that need. Donors, board members, educators, and partners all played a role. They gave their time, shared their resources, and found creative ways to fund scholarships, develop new student experiences, and recognize innovation in education.