Grand Valley Magazine Winter 2014 - (Page 14)
DON O R I M PAC T
New faculty chair cements
Johnson Center as national leader
A substantial gift from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
and the Kellogg Company 25-Year Employees' Fund
has helped establish a unique endowed chair position
at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy.
The first-of-its-kind in the nation,
the chair will focus on leading the country
in developing research on community
philanthropy.
"The future of community philanthropy
is an important field of study, and the
Johnson Center is on the cutting-edge
of this invigorating, exciting field," said
George Grant Jr., dean of the College of
Community and Public Service.
The chair, established with Kelloggs'
gift of $1.5 million, will be dedicated to
the study of how nonprofits, for-profits,
foundations, government, organizations
and individuals take action to improve
their communities.
The Johnson Center, one of the nation's
largest university-based philanthropic
centers, has been investigating the
possibility of a community philanthropy
chair for years. The position was
established in August.
The gift from Kellogg does more
than support the organization's
goals. Grant said it serves as a vote of
confidence in Grand Valley and in the
Johnson Center's work. "There's a very
good history and partnership between the
Kellogg Foundation and the
Johnson Center," Grant said. "Their gift
shows the faith they have in Grand Valley
and in the center."
Solving community
problems
When the faculty chair is selected,
that person will lead the Johnson Center's
research of policies, trends and best
practices in community philanthropy.
The chair will also teach students about
philanthropy, mentor graduate assistants,
and give local and national presentations
on community philanthropy.
Pictured are community leaders at a presentation by Rapid Growth held at the Johnson Center.
14
Winter '14
Dorothy A. Johnson, namesake of the Johnson
Center, said the center's work in community and
family philanthropy is important to the future
of this country.
"The Johnson Center has become
nationally recognized for its work in
community and family philanthropy,
which is so important to the future of
this country," said Dorothy A. Johnson,
namesake of the Johnson Center.
"I am proud to be associated with
such a fine faculty and such dedicated
and passionate students who are going
to make a tremendous difference in
the world."
A national search will be conducted for
the Kellogg chair, and the Johnson Center
expects to fill the position with someone
who is a national thought leader on
community philanthropy.
The chair's work will meet pressing
needs for knowledge and information
that people and organizations need
to succeed. "Once we understand the
systems and problems of a community,
we will be able to support them with what
they are trying to do," Grant said.
Addressing problems that people or
communities face is an enormous task.
Grant said the Johnson Center can start
to provide solutions with this support
from Kellogg.
"This is who Kellogg is," Grant said.
"They are all about children, families,
communities and ways of impacting those
children, families and communities."
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Grand Valley Magazine Winter 2014
Campus News
International Education
Arts
Athletics
Donor Impact
Covenant House provides education, opportunity
Going the extra Medical Mile
Seeds of Promise
Student media: creating community, content and careers
Q&A Bill Holsinger-Robinson
Research
Off the Path
Alumni
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