Michael D. Layton, Ph.D.
W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy Chair
It is only through cooperative planning, intelligent study, and group action — activities on the part of the entire community — that lasting results can be achieved.” –W.K. Kellogg
Book Michael as a speaker.
Michael is available to speak on community philanthropy, the role of community foundations in the US and internationally, and the development of philanthropy in Mexico and Latin America.
Michael Dennis Layton joined the Johnson Center in September 2020 as the W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy Chair, the nation’s first endowed chair focused on community philanthropy.
Michael brings a wealth of experience to this role, including his work as a researcher, teacher, director, advocate, and consultant. He has worked closely with a mix of community philanthropy organizations throughout the Americas, and brings to his position a nuanced understanding of the unique challenges and capacities of community philanthropy to act as a catalyst in promoting community-led development and in strengthening the local context for philanthropy.
Dr. Layton began his career as the founder and director of the New Kensington Community Development Corporation, in the Philadelphia neighborhood where he was born and raised. He pursued his doctorate in order to better understand the history and core values of democracy in America. After teaching at Wesleyan and Yale Universities, he founded and directed the Philanthropy and Civil Society Project at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) in Mexico City, where he developed a groundbreaking research and advocacy program to understand and strengthen philanthropy and civil society.
Michael serves on a range of committees with the following organizations: Kansas Association of Community Foundations (National Advisory Group for the National Conference for Growing Community Foundations); Center for Mexican Philanthropy (think tank advisory committee); Confio (Mexico), Technical Advisory Committee; Centro de Filantropía e Inversiones Sociales (CEFIS), Escuela de Gobierno de la Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Chile (Comité Asesor, Comunidades Sostenibles y Localización ODS/Advisory Committee, Incorporating the SDGs into Sustainable Communities); Comunalia, Alliance of Mexico’s Community Foundations (Mesa Dictamen Proyectos ODS/SDG Project Proposal Review Committee, July 2023).
Michael earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in political science from Duke University, holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Haverford College, and is a proud graduate of Philadelphia’s Central High School.