The Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy is an externally-focused unit of Grand Valley State University. We work with nonprofits and foundations, scholars and students, and partners in business and government to connect practitioners to the information and skills they need to make change for good.
The Johnson Center offers:
- Competency-based professional education through public and private courses
- Cross-sector research, evaluation, and strategic services
- Bold thinking and insights to advance the field
Our Mission, Vision, and Values
We are committed to advancing equity in philanthropy.
Our Mission
We aim to be a global leader in helping individuals and organizations understand, strengthen, and advance philanthropy.
Our Vision
We envision a world shaped by smart, adaptive, and effective philanthropy that helps to create strong, inclusive communities.
Our Values
Our core values are excellence, inquiry, community, innovation, sustainability, integrity, and inclusiveness.
Dorothy A. Johnson:
Trailblazer in Philanthropy
In 1999, the Center for Philanthropic and Nonprofit Leadership at GVSU was renamed for Dorothy A. “Dottie” Johnson upon her retirement as founding president and CEO of the Council of Michigan Foundations. Dottie’s leadership helped to create a robust and passionate ecosystem for community innovation.
SINCE 1992
Leaders in Philanthropy: A History of the Johnson Center
Meet Our Team
We bring passion and experience to our work, drawing on expertise in a variety of fields, including social science research, organizational development, and adult education.
Trish Abalo
Trish Abalo
Trish Abalo joined the Johnson Center in September 2020 and currently serves as a senior research associate. In this role, she supports data ...
Alexandra Akaakar, M.S.
Alexandra Akaakar, M.S.
Alexandra Akaakar joined the Johnson Center as a data analyst in January 2022. In this role, she supports data collection, presentation, and ...
Kallie Bauer, M.B.A.
Kallie Bauer, M.B.A.
Kallie Bauer joined the Johnson Center in 2008 and currently serves as a director of strategy and planning. In this role, she is responsible ...
Crisol Beliz
Crisol Beliz
Crisol Beliz joined the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy in April 2023 as a research associate. In this role, she supports ...
Emily Brenner, M.P.A.
Emily Brenner, M.P.A.
Emily Brenner joined the Johnson Center in 2018 and currently serves as project manager. In this role, she helps develop and manage ...
Julia Coffman, M.S.
Julia Coffman, M.S.
Julia Coffman, M.S., is the editor-in-chief of The Foundation Review, the Johnson Center’s peer-reviewed journal on ...
Sherry Collver
Sherry Collver
Sherry Collver joined the Johnson Center in 2012 and currently serves as operations assistant. In this role, she supports the executive ...
Julie Couturier, CPA
Julie Couturier, CPA
Julie Couturier joined the Johnson Center in 2006 and currently serves as the director of operations. In this role, she is responsible for ...
Elizabeth J. Dale, Ph.D.
Elizabeth J. Dale, Ph.D.
Elizabeth J. Dale, Ph.D., joined the Johnson Center in September 2024 as the second holder of the Frey Foundation Chair for Family ...
Emily Doebler, M.P.P.
Emily Doebler, M.P.P.
Emily Doebler (she/they) joined the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy in April 2023 as a research associate.
Most recently, ...
Emily Dorn Jex, M.S.
Emily Dorn Jex, M.S.
Emily Dorn Jex joined the Johnson Center as a data analyst in January 2022. In this role, she assists with data acquisition, cleaning, ...
Jana Einfeld
Jana Einfeld
Jana Einfeld joined the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy in May 2023 as office coordinator. In this role, she manages office ...
Brenda Falk, M.H.R.
Brenda Falk, M.H.R.
Brenda Falk joined the Johnson Center in March 2025 as a research manager. Her background includes foundation and nonprofit work, and she ...
Brian Herron
Brian Herron
Brian Herron joined the Johnson Center in 2016 and currently serves as senior web developer. In this role, he works in close collaboration ...
Karen Hoekstra
Karen Hoekstra
Karen Hoekstra joined the Johnson Center for Philanthropy in 2015. As marketing and communications manager, she leads the design and ...
Jennifer Lawson, Ph.D.
Jennifer Lawson, Ph.D.
Jennifer Lawson joined the Johnson Center in May 2024 as a project director. In this role, she is responsible for creating and implementing ...
Michael D. Layton, Ph.D.
Michael D. Layton, Ph.D.
Michael Dennis Layton joined the Johnson Center in September 2020 as the W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy ...
Tory Martin, M.A.
Tory Martin, M.A.
Tory Martin joined the Johnson Center in October 2017 as director of communications and engagement. In 2022, her role expanded to include ...
Pat Robinson, M.P.A.
Pat Robinson, M.P.A.
Pat Robinson joined the Johnson Center in 1997 and currently serves as associate director for special projects and associate editor of ...
Jill Roof, M.P.A.
Jill Roof, M.P.A.
Jill Roof joined the Johnson Center in February 2024 as a research manager. She has a background in nonprofit work and is passionate about ...
Mandy Sharp Eizinger, M.S.
Mandy Sharp Eizinger, M.S.
Mandy Sharp Eizinger joined the Johnson Center as a program manager in April 2020. She facilitates sector-wide learning and professional ...
Lesley D. Slavitt, Ph.D.
Lesley D. Slavitt, Ph.D.
Lesley D. Slavitt joined the Johnson Center as executive director in April 2023. Through vision and collaboration, she leads our work to ...
Melyssa Tsai O’Brien, M.P.H.
Melyssa Tsai O’Brien, M.P.H.
Melyssa Tsai O’Brien joined the Johnson Center in 2014 and currently serves as a senior research manager. In this role, she plans, manages, ...
Jeff Williams, Ed.D., M.B.A.
Jeff Williams, Ed.D., M.B.A.
Jeff Williams joined the Johnson Center in February 2020 and currently serves as director of consulting services. In this role, he leads a ...
Joe VanDoornik, M.S.A., PMP
Joe VanDoornik, M.S.A., PMP
Joe VanDoornik joined the Johnson Center in January 2024 as a project manager. In this role, he supports administrative requirements of ...
Meet our Leadership Council
The Johnson Center’s Leadership Council advises our strategic direction. We would like to thank the members for providing their time and expertise to help shape the center’s direction.
Jennifer A. Drake, Ph.D.
Jennifer A. Drake, Ph.D.
Jennifer A. Drake, Ph.D., is acting provost and executive vice president for the Division of Academic Affairs at Grand Valley State ...
David Egner
David Egner
Dave Egner joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2008, and currently serves as co-chair. In 2016, Dave was appointed ...
Mae Hong
Mae Hong
Mae Hong joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2019. She is currently the managing director of the Square One Foundation, a ...
Dorothy A. Johnson
Dorothy A. Johnson
Dorothy (Dottie) Johnson joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2008. Dottie, the center’s namesake, served for 25 ...
Donna Murray-Brown
Donna Murray-Brown
Donna Murray-Brown joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2018. In 2022, she joined the National Council of Nonprofits as vice ...
Isaiah Oliver
Isaiah Oliver
Isaiah M. Oliver joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2022. As president of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, he ...
Eric Pearson
Eric Pearson
Eric Pearson is the president and CEO of the El Paso Community Foundation. He is a native El Pasoan who came up through public schools and ...
Victoria Vrana
Victoria Vrana
Victoria is the CEO of GlobalGiving. She is a senior leader in innovation and philanthropy who joined GlobalGiving from the Bill & ...
Akilah Watkins, Ph.D.
Akilah Watkins, Ph.D.
Dr. Akilah Watkins joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2023. A 25-year national thought leader, convener, and nonprofit ...
Kate Pew Wolters
Kate Pew Wolters
Kate Pew Wolters joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2017, and currently serves as co-chair. Kate was reappointed for a ...
Interested in joining our team?
As an applied research center of Grand Valley State University, we’re proud to play a central role in preparing emerging practitioners to pursue distinguished careers in the nonprofit sector.
We work closely with colleagues across the university to develop research projects, leverage institutional assets, and provide world-class learning and job training for undergraduate and graduate students.
Meet Our Leadership at Grand Valley State University
Philomena V. Mantella, Ph.D.
Philomena V. Mantella, Ph.D.
Dr. Philomena (Philly) V. Mantella is the fifth president of Grand Valley State University. She oversees Michigan’s third-largest public ...
Jennifer A. Drake, Ph.D.
Jennifer A. Drake, Ph.D.
Jennifer A. Drake, Ph.D., is acting provost and executive vice president for the Division of Academic Affairs at Grand Valley State ...
Robert P. Smart, Ph.D.
Robert P. Smart, Ph.D.
Robert P. Smart, Ph.D., is vice provost for research administration and the founding executive director of the Center for Scholarly and ...
Connecting GVSU Faculty and Nonprofits in Michigan
Fellowships in Philanthropic Studies
The Johnson Center’s fellowships are open to GVSU faculty and students. Through original research, publication opportunities, and faculty-student mentorship, fellows are encouraged to explore new approaches to and ways of understanding philanthropy.
Kathy A. Agard Graduate Assistant/Fellow for the W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy Chair
Kathy Agard retired as executive director of the Johnson Center in 2010, after a career providing leadership for the Michigan Community Foundations’ Youth Project and Learning to Give. Each year, two Agard Fellows are selected to engage in research in community philanthropy and to contribute to ongoing research at the Johnson Center.
Applications for the 2025-2026 Academic Year have now closed.
Maddison Reilly, Graduate Student, GVSU; Winni Walsh, Graduate Student, GVSU
Joel J. Orosz Graduate Assistant/Fellow for the Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy
Joel Orosz, distinguished professor of philanthropic studies emeritus at GVSU, founded The Grantmaking School and was a program director at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Each year, two Orosz Fellows are selected to engage in research in philanthropy as it relates to their academic discipline and to contribute to research at the Johnson Center.
Applications for the 2025-2026 Academic Year have now closed.
Laken Chapin, Undergraduate Student, GVSU; Nicole “Knicki” Karsies, Graduate Student, GVSU
Mawby Faculty Fellowship in Philanthropic Studies
This fellowship honors long-time president and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and co-founder of the Johnson Center, Russ Mawby. One faculty member is selected annually to conduct research focused on the intersection of philanthropy and their field of study. The fellow selects two undergraduate student fellows as research assistants.
Elena Lioubimtseva, Professor, GVSU; Katherine Carron, Undergraduate Student, GVSU; Bushra Mohamed-Elmabruk Rashrash, Undergraduate Student, GVSU
My single biggest privilege at GVSU was receiving the Agard/Orosz Fellowship for 2019-2020. Since my first lecture with Dr. Moody, I desired to work with him at the Johnson Center. As an international student, an opportunity to work with individuals of such a high caliber is normally only a dream. The fellowship allowed me to research emerging topics in philanthropy and it gave me an opportunity to be in the same room as some of the most influential philanthropic thinkers in the country.”
Pedro Gomes
2019-2020 Agard Fellow at the Johnson Center
Pedro Gomes
2019-2020 Agard Fellow at the Johnson Center
Grand Valley State University
Degree Programs in Philanthropy
GVSU Charge for Racial Equity & Inclusion
As part of the Grand Valley State University community, we are committed to taking concrete actions to bring about greater justice, equity, and inclusion. Read the official statement from GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella and explore the university’s detailed action plan and anti-racism resources at the link below.
Here at the Johnson Center, you’ll get the unique opportunity to bridge the worlds of foundations, nonprofits, academics, and practitioners to advance the capacity of professionals and organizations working for the common good.
Professionals at the Johnson Center enjoy the benefits and human resource offerings of Grand Valley State University.
Available Positions
There are no open positions at this time. Sign up for our email newsletter to be among the first to hear when new jobs are posted!
Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy
201 Front Ave SW, Suite 200
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504
☎️ 616-331-7585
✉️ jcp@gvsu.edu
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