GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Grand Valley State University has received a $1 million grant from The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. It is a leadership gift for the $3 million Growing the Greater Good Endowment Campaign for the Johnson Center.
"This generous grant is focused to identify and disseminate the best practices of the nonprofit community," said Mark A. Murray, president of Grand Valley. "It is a vital sector for overall community health. This grant ensures we can share the lessons of those who are doing outstanding work, so that other groups can have an even bigger impact."
Grand Valley State University was the first university in Michigan, and among the first in the nation to establish a formal academic center for research, teaching and public service in philanthropy, volunteerism and nonprofit management. The Johnson Center is the only academic center for the study of philanthropy of its size and scope in the state of Michigan. It is in the top tier of academic centers for the study of philanthropy, volunteerism and nonprofit management in the nation.
"The Johnson Center has already become known as an organization that utilizes known information and practices to make the nonprofit community more effective," said Margaret Ann (Ranny) Riecker, president of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. "This grant will enable the Johnson Center to continue its good work and help them promote their concepts of 'smarter giving' and 'better performance.'"
The grant money will provide initial funding for an endowment to support the operations and programs of the Johnson Center in the university and the community. One way the Johnson Center impacts students is through American Humanics, an award-winning certificate program at Grand Valley for undergraduates from all academic majors who are interested in working with nonprofits after graduation.
Stephanie Miller already knew she had a passion for service when she joined American Humanics. For two years she had been commuting between Grand Valley and her hometown of Lansing to work with Listening Ear, a volunteer crisis center. Stephanie's passion for service was soon demonstrated within the American Humanics program. Acting as the American Humanics Management Institute liaison, she provided information and logistical support to Grand Valley students attending the national AH conference. She also participated in many fundraising activities associated with the conference and was an active volunteer with the AH group. Stephanie did all this while completing her bachelor's degree in political science, continuing her work with Listening Ear and working at the City of Grand Rapid's information desk. Stephanie plans to launch her career with international nonprofit work this fall when she will travel to Southeast Asia with the Peace Corps for a two year placement.
The Johnson Center also provides financial support to various university programs including Student Life for its student volunteer program, the College of Education for the Learning to Give program, and to faculty members to add service learning components to their classes.
Three components of the Johnson Center are already national leaders and models: Community Research Institute, The Grantmaking School and the Nonprofit Good Practice Guide. The Community Research Institute (CRI) provides nonprofit leaders and philanthropic organizations with information that allows them to make decisions based on community-specific data that measures actual needs. The institute has worked with several organizations including Head Start, Women's Resource Center, Kentwood Public Schools, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Frey Foundation.
The Grantmaking School is the first university-based program in the nation to teach skills of advanced grantmaking to foundation program officers, who recommend where scarce grant dollars should be allocated. The Nonprofit Good Practice Guide is on the World Wide Web to provide answers to questions about any aspect of philanthropy, volunteerism and nonprofit management (www.npgoodpractice.org).
Launched in May, the $3 million Growing the Greater Good Endowment Campaign for the Johnson Center is co-chaired by Margaret Ann Riecker and David G. Frey, senior vice president of Bank One. The campaign is advised by an honorary committee of 25 nonprofit, philanthropic and community leaders.
"We are deeply appreciative for this generous gift from the Dow Foundation," said Donna VanIwaarden, director of the Johnson Center. "It will help support our research that has practical application in our local community and programs that provide a strong connection with the students of Grand Valley."
