Johnson Center, SPNHA host second-largest international research conference

Grand Valley's Johnson Center for Philanthropy and the School of Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration hosted the second-largest ARNOVA conference in the 46-year history of the event last month. The focus was the role of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations in strengthening community.

The conference brought more than 900 participants to Grand Rapids and was the first to offer an innovative panel discussion which featured philanthropic leaders from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, the Skillman Foundation and the C.S. Mott Foundation.

In addition, Grand Valley faculty and staff members gave presentations during many of the sessions throughout the three-day conference.

Representatives from several universities and foundations served on the committee to assist in the areas of fundraising, marketing, program design, local activities and volunteering, which was co-chaired by Grand Valley's Teri Behrens and Michelle Wooddell. 

The Johnson Center's 25th anniversary was celebrated during ARNOVA’s Friday night reception, made possible through funding from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, the Frey Foundation, The Wege Foundation, The Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation and Steelcase Foundation.

The Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) is the U.S.-based, national and international association that connects scholars, teachers and practice leaders interested in research on nonprofit organizations, voluntary action, philanthropy and civil society.