Conversation with Diana Sieger and Joseph Medcalf

Diana Sieger, President of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation (GRCF), talks with youth grantmaker Joseph Medcalf about how his experience as a youth trustee on GRCF's board and a member of their Youth Advisory Council has developed his leadership skills. The audio interview is from the Michigan Philanthropy Oral History Project located in the Johnson Center Philanthropy Archives Digital Collection, GVSU Special Collections and University Archives.

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Dottie Johnson and Rob Collier Discuss Evolution of Michigan Philanthropy

Conversation with Dorothy A. Johnson, President Emeritus of the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF), and Robert Collier, CMF President & CEO about CMF's beginnings and how Michigan philanthropy has grown, changed, and adjusted over the years as more foundations form, youth philanthropy develops and priorities shift. The audio interview is from the Michigan Philanthropy Oral History Project located in the Johnson Center Philanthropy Archives Digital Collection, GVSU Special Collections and University Archives.

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Jim Edwards to Lead Community Research Institute

Dr. James Edwards is the new director of the Community Research Institute of the Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. The Community Research Institute (CRI) gathers, analyzes, interprets, and shares national and local data through partnerships with nonprofit and neighborhood groups in an effort to assist local and regional nonprofit leaders with decision making, grant writing, and program evaluation.

CRI works with the acquisition of community data and both analyzes and disseminates that information for the purpose of community planning, programming, and accountability.

"I am excited and honored to join the Johnson Center Team. As a native of Grand Rapids, I recognize the important contribution CRI has made to West Michigan, by proving data and research that has helped us examine who we are and where we are going as a community.

I look forward to working with our community partners to strengthen data driven decision making and providing access to local, regional, and national data for non-profits and philanthropic organizations."

Before joining the Johnson Center, Jim was the program director for Network 180 Access Center in Kent County, MI. He has direct service experience in child welfare and juvenile justice, having served as a foster care worker, Juvenile Court probation officer, investigator for the county Family Drug Court Task Force, and assisting in the expansion of mental health home-based services in Kent County. Jim also served for five years on the Arbor Circle Corporation Board. He also is assistant professor in the School of Social Work.

Karl Pardoe and Russ Mawby Discuss Youth Philanthropy and the Spirit of Giving

Conversation with former Council of Michigan Foundations' Youth Philanthropy Associate, Kari Pardoe, and her mentor Russell Mawby, Chairman Emeritus of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan, about the youth philanthropy movement in Michigan and Russ's perspectives on giving time, talent, and treasure for the greater good. The audio interview is from the Michigan Philanthropy Oral History Project located in the Johnson Center Philanthropy Archives Digital Collection, GVSU Special Collections and University Archives.

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Kathy Agard and James Kelly Discuss the Success of Learning to Give

Conversation with Kathryn Agard, Executive Director of the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership and James Kelly, Co-Chair of Learning to Give, about their involvement in creating Learning to Give - a Council of Michigan Foundations supporting organization educating youth about the importance of philanthropy, the civil society sector, and civic engagement. The audio interview is from the Michigan Philanthropy Oral History Project located in the Johnson Center Philanthropy Archives Digital Collection, GVSU Special Collections and University Archives.

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Mawby Archives

Dr. Russell G. Mawby, the Chairman and CEO Emeritus of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation made a gift of his personal papers to the Johnson Center. This gift is the signature piece of the Johnson Center Philanthropy Archives which was established in partnership with Grand Valley State University Libraries. The Mawby papers documents the accomplishments of a central leader in the statewide and national philanthropic fields during a pivotal time in their history, beginning with the run-up to the Tax Reform Act of 1969, covering its turbulent aftermath, continuing with the increasing diversification of philanthropy during the 1980s, the massive growth in giving caused by the tech boom of the 1990s, and carrying forward to the present day.

A finding aid lists the materials in the collection.

Ranny Rieker and Becky Noricks Discuss Familly Philanthopy and the Genesis of CMF

Conversation with Margaret "Ranny" Riecker, President/Treasurer of the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation in Midland, Michigan and Rebecca Noricks, Communications Manager at the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) about family philanthropy and memories about founding CMF. The audio interview is from the Michigan Philanthropy Oral History Project located in the Johnson Center Philanthropy Archives Digital Collection, GVSU Special Collections and University Archives.

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