Professional Development
Ramp up your skills.
We provide competency-based professional development and capacity building for individuals and organizations.
The Grantmaking School
Programs for Nonprofit Professionals
Custom Courses and Trainings
Explore
Upcoming Programs and Events
Free Learning Series
Applied Research & Evaluation
Put research to work.
We can help improve your practice and strengthen your impact with applied research and evaluation.
Family Philanthropy
Community Philanthropy
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Research, Evaluation, and Consulting
Explore
New research on collective giving in the U.S.
2024 National Study on Donor Advised Funds
Resources & Tools
Find the right tools.
The Johnson Center provides resources and tools to make data and research useful for practitioners.
The Foundation Review: Journal of Philanthropy
Community Insight Data Platform
Competency Models
Explore
Trends in Philanthropy
Resource Collections

Latest from the Blog

The Math Behind the Tax: How Proposed Private Foundation Tax Increases Could Reshape Grants to Nonprofits
The Math Behind the Tax: How Proposed Private Foundation Tax Increases Could Reshape Grants to Nonprofits
The Johnson Center analyzed proposed tax increases for private foundations contained in the version of the 2025 tax bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. These changes could result in 3-15% drop in foundation dollars headed to nonprofits.
Learn More
Inside The Foundation Review, Volume 17, Issue 1
Inside The Foundation Review, Volume 17, Issue 1
The articles in Volume 17, Issue 1 of The Foundation Review each tell us something about a concept that is top-of-mind today: our ability to be resilient in the face of significant challenges or change.
Learn More
America’s Population is Rapidly Aging. Can Philanthropy Keep Up?
America’s Population is Rapidly Aging. Can Philanthropy Keep Up?
By 2034, older adults will outnumber children for the first time. As aging issues gain prominence in public policy and philanthropy, stakeholders must embrace innovative approaches to ensure equitable and sustainable support for an aging nation.
Learn More
Q&A with the Authors of the New Report, “Adopting Community-Centric Fundraising”
Q&A with the Authors of the New Report, “Adopting Community-Centric Fundraising”
Ahead of the publication of new research on Community-Centric Fundraising, the researchers sat down to discuss what inspired them to do this work and what they learned about doing fundraising differently.
Learn More
A Day of Service Leading to a Lifetime of Generosity
A Day of Service Leading to a Lifetime of Generosity
GVSU students and staff participated in the National Day of Service to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and commitment to civic action.
Learn More
Nonprofits and Government Revenue: Understanding a Complex Relationship
Nonprofits and Government Revenue: Understanding a Complex Relationship
How reliant are nonprofits on federal government funding? Two studies released in recent weeks tackle this question from different angles, offering insights that not only illuminate the current funding landscape but also reveal persistent gaps in the sector’s data infrastructure.
Learn More
Four Key Factors are Driving a Surge in Nonprofit Lobbying Activities
Four Key Factors are Driving a Surge in Nonprofit Lobbying Activities
This article unpacks the hurdles, successes, and future opportunities shaping the sector’s evolving role in policymaking — and why it matters now more than ever.
Learn More
11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2025
11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2025
Our 2025 Trends report examines topics including collective giving, nonprofit lobbying, limited-life philanthropy, giving days, the future of volunteering, social justice, nonprofit workplace wellness, and more!
Learn More
The Nonprofit Workforce is in Crisis
The Nonprofit Workforce is in Crisis
More organizations and communities are experimenting with innovative programs and strategies for managing the nonprofit workplace wellness crisis, but skepticism remains as to whether or not our field will finally make progress against burnout.
Learn More
The Movement to Fund Democracy is Learning Important Lessons
The Movement to Fund Democracy is Learning Important Lessons
Since the 2016 election, billions of dollars have been invested in areas like voting rights, fair elections, and civil discourse. But challenges like inequitable access to civic resources and a "boom-and-bust" funding cycle persist.
Learn More
Upcoming Events
View All
Wed September 17
Philanthropy 101
Philanthropy 101 is a two-day, online course designed to ground new professionals in the basics of foundations, nonprofits, grantmaking, the field of philanthropy, and how philanthropy interacts with other sectors — namely, business and government.
12:30 pm
Learn More
Thu September 25
Professional Writing for Grantmakers
This live online course from the Johnson Center guides you step-by-step to sharpen your voice and written delivery. By the end of this session, you will increase your exposure to grantmaking tools and writing experience to build confidence in your ability to develop, edit, and revise narratives.
12:30 pm
Learn More
Wed October 8
A Disaster Simulation: Philanthropy’s Approach to Disaster Response, Recovery & Resilience
12:30 pm
Learn More
In the News
Sun February 2
For the First Time in History, Women Will Have Serious Philanthropic Power. Will They Choose to Use It?
Source: Ms. Magazine
Thu January 30
Nonprofits grappling with uncertainties under new administration
Source: Crain's Detroit Business
Wed January 29
GVSU report reveals challenges, innovations for nonprofits in 2025
Source: Traverse City Record Eagle
Mon January 27
Gen Z is giving back — despite not having deep pockets. Why young people are driving donations to GoFundMe.
Source: Yahoo! Life