Meet Elizabeth Dale, the new Frey Chair for Family Philanthropy

Elizabeth Dale, Ph.D., will join the Johnson Center on September 1, 2024, as the second holder of the Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy.

The Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy was established at the Johnson Center in 2010 and is the first chair of its kind in the nation. The Chair works with a network of partners to pursue a comprehensive, international program of applied research, speaking and writing, professional education and teaching, and other activities.

The Chair was made possible by the vision and generosity of the Frey Foundation — one of Michigan’s largest family foundations, which was established in 1974 in Grand Rapids by Edward J. and Frances T. Frey. In 2023, an additional gift from the Frey Foundation and an anonymous donor helped to secure the Chair’s innovation and impact into the future.

Ahead of her first day joining a new community of coworkers and neighbors, Elizabeth spoke with Tory Martin, director of communications and strategic partnerships, to share more about her research background and interests, how she sees the field of family philanthropy evolving, and her recent trip to the Paris Olympic Games.

Tory Martin: Elizabeth, welcome! We are so happy to have you onboard. Tell us a little about your background.

Elizabeth Dale: Thank you! I am absolutely delighted to be starting my role as the second Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy. I’m joining the Johnson Center from Seattle University where I was an associate professor and, most recently, the director of the Nonprofit Leadership Programs. I have a deep commitment and passion for the nonprofit sector, and philanthropy, in particular.

I began my professional career as a front-line fundraiser with the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago and later, with a large community hospital in the heart of Chicago. However even growing up, my life was deeply shaped by volunteer experiences, fundraising endeavors, and being the beneficiary of nonprofits. My experiences raising money, working with supporters, and serving on a board all led me to pursue a Ph.D. in philanthropic studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

During my doctoral studies, I worked closely with the Women’s Philanthropy Institute and developed a deep interest in understanding how different communities give and the role identity plays in how we give and volunteer. Further, I’m always trying to understand how to do this work better — whether that’s trying to be more effective, understanding issues of equity and justice, or uncovering the barriers to unleashing greater giving.

What draws you to the study and advancement of family philanthropy? What research questions in this field do you find most compelling?

While I’ve often described my research as exploring the intersections of identity and giving, almost all giving has a familial component, whether that’s making giving decisions as a couple, involving children in giving, or carrying on a multi-generational family legacy of philanthropy. In terms of research questions, I’m interested in learning how people develop their own understanding of philanthropy, and the role donor education can play in increasing giving and boosting donor satisfaction.

With the increase in family foundations over the past few decades, as well as the growing popularity of donor-advised funds, I’m also interested in exploring limited-life philanthropy, where a donor or donor family decides to accelerate their giving during their lifetime. I’m also interested in developing research around trust-based philanthropy and how donors understand the relationship between themselves and the beneficiaries of their giving.

Taking a broader view of the sector, tell us about a trend in philanthropy that you find intriguing or inspiring.

There is no shortage of critiques of philanthropy, and those critiques have seemed to get louder and louder in recent years, especially with the prominence of mega-donors like Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, MacKenzie Scott, the Zuckerbergs, and other business and tech entrepreneurs, as well as the rise of celebrity philanthropy. However, historically and today, philanthropy has been critical to so many causes and issues. Philanthropy has funded cures for diseases, reduced poverty, provided social safety nets when government fails, and expanded rights. Philanthropy continues to enrich our lives, whether you think about arts and cultural institutions or programs like the Girl Scouts and youth recreation. Rather than focus on the “absolutist” critiques of philanthropy, we need to understand philanthropy as a deeply human act, not impervious to criticism, but subject to debate, nuance, and continual improvement.

The Johnson Center is a university-based, applied research center. What do you see as the role of applied research in philanthropy — both today and in the future?

Applied research is absolutely essential and is part of what drew me to the Johnson Center and Grand Valley State University! As I’ve said, I want to understand how philanthropy is changing, how we can improve it, as well as how we can expand it. In the U.S., philanthropy has remained at a steady, but unchanging, 2% of GDP for over 30 years, and fewer donors are participating in formal giving to nonprofits today, which is concerning. These aren’t just theoretical questions, because they have deep resonance with donors, grantmakers, fundraisers, and the nonprofit organizations that rely on donor income. Applied research is the link between theory and practice, and I see it as a fundamental way to address questions about how we can broaden philanthropic participation and make philanthropy more effective.

Recognizing that you’re only just setting out in this role, can you tell us a little about your approach to networking and collaboration? Do you bring any particular partnerships or research collaborations to this role that you feel will be particularly impactful?

In the words of my good friend and colleague, Gen Shaker, I’m a “chronic collaborator” and much prefer to engage in team-based research projects. Many of my early research questions emerged from conversations with colleagues as a fundraiser, my experience as a board member, and later, from questions and conversations with graduate students in my classes. I love sharing my research with donors and fundraisers who want to understand how to do this work better.

In terms of collaborations, I’ve worked with the Giving USA Foundation, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, Resource Generation, and most recently, the Community Centric Fundraising Global Council. I’ve also involved students and practitioners in my research as co-investigators and advisors, which keeps me grounded and allows me to share the joys of research with others. I look forward to continuing that work here.

What excites you about joining the Grand Valley State University community?

First, while I grew up in New Jersey and most recently lived in Seattle, the Midwest feels like coming home. I’ve lived in Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana — and now Michigan! I’m excited to build relationships with West Michigan’s philanthropic community — which has a great reputation — and experience it first-hand.

In terms of GVSU specifically, I’m so excited to work at the Johnson Center with a community of scholars and practitioners dedicated to studying and improving philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. I’m looking forward to building on the research and achievements of the Center as I start this role.

Let’s get to know you a bit better. What nonprofits or social causes are closest to your heart?

From my very early teenage years, I’ve always identified as a feminist — something that I learned from my mom. Serving on the board of the Chicago Women’s Health Center in my 20s, which is an intersectional, feminist collective health organization that began in the 1970s, was such an awesome opportunity to be part of a feminist organization that deeply understood its mission and values. It also gave me an opportunity to practice community-centric fundraising before that term was even coined! Even though I left Chicago 12 years ago, I continue to support them as a donor.

I also have a deep respect for and support Pride Foundation, a community foundation that supports the LGBTQ+ community in five western states, and Social Justice Fund NW. Both organizations have embraced innovative approaches to grantmaking and philanthropy, aren’t afraid to take risks, and work to center grantees and beneficiaries in their work.

Now I have to ask — I know you were just in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Tell us about that! What was the most amazing feat you witnessed?

My wife, Sarah, and I have always loved watching the Olympics. We had tickets to Tokyo 2020 to celebrate our 10th anniversary, which of course was postponed and then closed to spectators due to COVID-19. So, this trip was many years in the making and involved bringing our 2.5-year-old daughter along!

We got to see beach volleyball, athletics, women’s basketball, including the U.S./France gold-medal game, and the finals of men’s 10-meter platform diving. I’m always amazed at how the platform divers can do a handstand on the diving platform into their somersaults — that takes guts! And, since the competition was over after the session, we saw several divers as we left the event and got to congratulate them and take pictures. In all, it lived up to our (high) expectations!

Learn more about Elizabeth Dale on her staff profile page, or email elizabeth.dale@gvsu.edu to connect directly.