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