Johnson Center for Philanthropy

1. What is the best way to contact the Johnson Center?
2. How can I obtain community data?
3. What does the Johnson Center do?
4. Does the Johnson Center have any grantwriting seminars I can attend?
5. How can I receive the Johnson Center's email newsletter?
6. What resources does the Johnson Center provide if I want to start a nonprofit?
7. Where can I find nonprofit job opportunities?
8. Does the Johnson Center give grants?
9. Where can I find information on grantmakers and grantseeking resources?
10. How does CRI use GIS mapping to assist social service providers?

Frequently Asked Questions

History

Meet our Staff

Mission

1.  What is the best way to contact the Johnson Center?

Visit the Contact Us page and make a request for information.

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2.  How can I obtain community data?

Visit the Community Research Institute and search for data or contact CRI staff listed for specific information.

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3.  What does the Johnson Center do?

The Johnson Center for Philanthropy is an academic center focused on increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the charitable sector. Our work involves conducting research, teaching effective practices, and providing pathways to service.

We make a difference in three ways: enhancing the impact of foundations nationally and nonprofit organizations regionally, improving the quality of community decision-making in West Michigan, and developing the habit of civic engagement among students and faculty at Grand Valley State University.

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4.  Does the Johnson Center offer grantwriting seminars?

Yes. Please visit our professional development page for all our course listings.

In addition, the Community Research Institute's website and the Nonprofit Good Practice Guide provides resources and information about grantwriting. We also refer nonprofits to grantwriting courses held by the Michigan Nonprofit Association, the School of Public and Nonprofit Administration, and the School of Social Work. 

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5. How can I receive the Johnson Center's Email Newsletter?

You can sign up for Johnson Center Event Alerts and Newsletters here. 

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6. What resources does the Johnson Center provide if I want to start a nonprofit?

The Johnson Center for Philanthropy does not provide any direct service for individuals looking to start a nonprofit organization. However, we do have access to many resources you may find helpful. Visit Nonprofit and Philanthropy Good Practice to find resources on "Starting a Nonprofit in Michigan."

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7. Where can I find nonprofit job opportunities?

For national openings browse The Chronicle of Philanthropy's jobs page. For openings in Michigan browse MichiganNonprofit.com, Mlive.com or Grand Valley's School of Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration.

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8.  Does the Johnson Center give grants?

No. Funds for the Johnson Center faculty service-learning grants program are no longer available. Please contact the Office of Grants Development & Administration and the Community Service Learning Center for information on funding opportunities.

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9. Where can I find information on grantmakers and grantseeking resources?

You can go to the Grand Rapids Public Library and access the Foundation Directory which is a web database of foundations and grants. For more information on grants visit GRANTS.GOV and the non-profit guides websites. Data is a key to successful grant writing as it presents a pressing need in clear and concrete terms. The Community Research Institute (CRI) provides a "one-stop-shop" for data about West Michigan and publishes A How-To: Series on Grantwriting.

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10. How does CRI use GIS mapping to assist social service providers?

The Community Research Institute uses GIS to analyze data spatially within our communities. Analyzing data spatially provides nonprofit organizations and community members the knowledge to better understand the needs of the communities in which they work and live.

Almost all data have a spatial component. Many NPOs collect information on their clients, members, volunteers and/or donors, often including their addresses. Many NPOs have defined service areas boundaries. Some NPOs have several service delivery points. A few NPOs even have delivery or collection routes. Address-based information allow us to perform a number of different analyses with GIS.

First, the addresses allow us to see the geographic penetration of services provided by an NPO.

Second, the addresses can be layered over other datasets from the Census Bureau, local governments, or other NPOs, to better understand how the information is spatially related. This helps NPOs find gaps or overlaps in service delivery, problem hot spots, and resource investment patterns.

Third, address-based data can provide a story over time. Geographic shifts in the residence of service recipients, their place of work, their demographic characteristics, or their service needs gives NPOs the ability to assess outcomes, evaluate programs, and develop problem solving strategies.

In summation, the type of data-driven analysis that GIS provides allows NPOs to show evidence of the needs within the communities they serve, giving them an advantage in strategic planning, fundraising, grantmaking, program evaluation and other important decision-making activities.

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