Professional Development

Thu September 25

Professional Writing for Grantmakers

12:30 pm

Wed October 8

A Disaster Simulation: Philanthropy’s Approach to Disaster Response, Recovery & Resilience

12:30 pm

Why Learn With Us?

Our Research-to-Practice Mission

Our professional learning programs build meaningful connections between cutting-edge university research and the real-world achievements and challenges of community change. Grounded in the latest research, theory, and data, our programs equip you with practical tools and insights to strengthen your daily work and rethink the broader systems that shape philanthropy.

The Program Officer Competency Model

Each course is grounded in the Johnson Center’s Program Officer Competency Model©—a rigorously validated, research-based framework that articulates the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviors of effective program staff. By aligning course content with this model, we ensure participants gain practical, highly-relevant skills that reflect the current standards of excellence in philanthropy.

Experience and Expertise

The Johnson Center has provided professional learning programs and resources for grantmakers for over two decades. Our programs are designed and delivered by professionals with deep experience in philanthropy, extensive knowledge of research and learning best practices, and a commitment to valuing what each learner brings to the classroom – including prior knowledge, perspectives, and connections.

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Core Courses for Grantmakers

Special Topics

Watch & Learn

Courses for Grantmakers

Highly rated by foundations across the nation, our Courses for Grantmakers help you build critical knowledge and skills across every stage of the grantmaking cycle.

Upcoming Courses

Expand your understanding of the sector.
Increase your knowledge of the philanthropic sector by learning with and from leaders in the field.

Strengthen competencies and skills.
Develop or refresh core grantmaking skills within the context of your foundation’s philosophy.

Network with experts in the field.
Limited course sizes ensure the opportunity to collaborate with grantmaking peers and experts.

View the work in context.
Uncover the sector’s history, dig in to current trends, and situate your own work and impact.

“

The coursework for Proposal Analysis was highly relevant for my day-to-day work and career aspirations. I found it refreshing to connect with and hear the perspectives of colleagues who experience similar work challenges. Hearing the first-hand experiences of the facilitators encouraged me to sharpen my skills and be more of an advocate for organizations that our foundation may consider high risk. It gave me the agency to be more of a partner with applicant organizations and encouraged me to step up in my role as a community connector.”

Garrett Johnson

Grants Officer, Community Foundation of North Louisiana

Garrett Johnson

Grants Officer, Community Foundation of North Louisiana

“

Being a new program officer, The Grantmaking School’s trainings are exactly what I needed to build confidence in my role.”

Sara Hohnstein

The Gerber Foundation

Sara Hohnstein

The Gerber Foundation

Virtual Public Courses are Available in Two-Day and Two-Hour Formats

Philanthropy 101

Designed for professionals new to the field or new to their role, Philanthropy 101 grounds you in the basics of foundations, nonprofits, grantmaking, and the field of philanthropy. Participants gain a deeper understanding of what philanthropy is, what makes it distinct from the business and government sectors, and how their own roles fit into the broader field. The course introduces many essential concepts — including ethics, accountability, equity, and power dynamics — along with providing an overview of the fundamentals of grantmaking.

Suggested complementary courses: Grantmaker Ethics & Accountability

Proposal Analysis in Grantmaking

Participants in this course explore how the processes of proposal solicitation and analysis can set the stage to build capacity, foster meaningful relationships, advance equity, and authentically share power — all within the context of a foundation’s overall mission and grantmaking philosophy. This course is equally valuable for program officers new to the role, or veterans looking to refine their process.

Suggested complementary courses: Site Visit Essentials for Grantmakers, Grantmaker Risk Management

Financial Analysis for Grantmakers

Dive into the fundamentals of grant proposal financial review and analysis — including organization and project budgets, financial statements, audits, and the IRS Form 990/990EZ — with an emphasis on centering equity in practice. Participants practice reviewing and analyzing real-life financials to prepare them for financial analysis in their daily roles. This course content is regularly updated to account for changes in FASB regulations and the financial implications of current events.

Suggested complementary courses: Beginner’s Guide to Reading Form 990, Intermediate Guide to Reading Form 990

Professional Writing for Grantmakers

Whether preparing a grant recommendation for the board, developing a strategy document to share with stakeholders, or drafting blog posts, writing persuasively is an essential component of a grantmaker’s role. This interactive, group-coaching experience focuses on sharpening the analytical skills that are the basis for good writing. Participants bring their own writing samples and put new skills into practice with our grantmaking experts, with additional time to focus on individual foundations’ unique requirements.

Suggested complementary course: Proposal Analysis for Grantmakers

Grantmaker Ethics & Accountability

Ideal for foundation staff, donors, and others engaged in grantmaking, this program provides practical tools and step-by-step guidance to help you navigate ethical challenges in grantmaking.

Site Visit Essentials for Grantmakers

Learn how innovative site visit methods can help balance power dynamics and establish more authentic relationships, enabling grantees to showcase their strengths within their authentic context.

Grantmaker Risk Management

This course from the Johnson Center explores a trust-based, risk-tolerance/management framework that both honors the grantee partnership and leads to increased impact.

Beginner’s Guide to Reading the Form 990

This course is designed to ground you in the basics of Form 990 — including practical and purposeful ways to leverage information from a 990 with a nonprofit, financial, or foundation lens.

Intermediate Guide to Reading the Form 990

This interactive, virtual course will help funders and nonprofit professionals better understand the funding perspective and how to use 990s as a tool to assess organizational or collective impact.

Upcoming Courses

Wed September 17

Philanthropy 101

12:30 pm

Thu September 25

Professional Writing for Grantmakers

12:30 pm

Wed October 22

Proposal Analysis in Grantmaking

12:30 pm

The Program Officer Competency Model

Our competency model for foundation program officers — rigorously validated by fieldwide experts — maps the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of successful program staff. These competencies form the bedrock of our professional development courses.

EXPLORE THE MODEL

Cross-Cutting Competencies

From inclusive practice to strategic thinking, these competencies represent the professional skills and knowledge program officers need to be successful across all aspects of their work.

Relationships & Field Building

Sector knowledge and capacity-building are examples of the types of skills program officers rely on to engage with the broader philanthropic sector and recognize opportunities.

Proposals & Due Diligence

Once potential opportunities have been identified, program officers shift to proposal solicitation and analysis. This process relies on a broad range of technical skills and knowledge including financial analysis and organizational assessment, all while honoring the foundation’s theory of philanthropy and incorporating equitable processes.

Strategy, Evaluation, and Learning

Program officers rely on strategy development, implementation, and evaluation design and management to implement the grants process and engage in continuous improvement.

Special Topics in Professional Learning

The Johnson Center maintains a rotating catalogue of learning programs specifically designed to meet the moment.

The Johnson Center’s Special Topics courses are designed to meet the evolving needs of philanthropy and nonprofits. Offered through private delivery, these courses provide flexible, timely learning opportunities tailored to the unique challenges and priorities facing today’s practitioners.

Each course is grounded in research, case studies, and real-world examples—ensuring that participants gain practical insights they can apply immediately in their work.

Especially ideal for place-based networks and grantmakers seeking to offer professional development to a broad group of grantees, these courses support collective learning and capacity building at scale. Availability rotates over time to reflect the shifting needs of the sector, ensuring that content remains relevant, responsive, and impactful.

Interested in bringing one of these courses to your community—virtually or in person? We invite you to reach out to explore how we can provide a Special Topics course that meets your organization’s goals.

Not seeing a course that fits your needs? Contact us about developing and delivering a new program for your audience.

Scenario Planning

This course is designed to help grantmakers' nonprofit partners prepare for an uncertain future. Through hands-on exercises, expert insights, and real-world case studies, participants learn how to build scenario-based strategies that can guide their organizations through disruption and change. Led by experienced Johnson Center facilitators, this experience will teach you how to craft meaningful scenarios, explore their impact across key organizational functions, and make decisions that align with your mission and values. Whether you’re facing economic shifts, changing community needs, or operational challenges, this session will empower you to approach the future with clarity and confidence.

New Realities for Nonprofit Communications and Advocacy

This course is designed to help grantmakers' nonprofit partners navigate the new policy landscape and drive meaningful change. Drawing from key lessons of the 2024 election and the shifting currents of public opinion, this session will equip you with strategies to influence policymakers and your stakeholders in a complex environment. Learn how to respond to emerging trends—from the rise of digital platforms like podcasts to the power of data-driven storytelling—and how to break through a crowded media landscape. With a focus on practical strategies and real-world examples, this workshop will empower you to meet the challenges of today’s policy environment and drive impactful change for your community.

A Disaster Simulation: Response, Recovery & Resilience

Preparedness is key in communities' ability to anticipate risk and mitigate damage. This disaster simulation experience invites grantmakers and other community actors of all types to engage in a realistic disaster scenario to assess readiness, identify resource opportunities, evaluate coordination strategies, and understand community resilience — all through hands-on activities and meaningful discussion and reflection. This program is grounded in the Johnson Center's research developing case studies from our home state of Michigan, where natural disasters and infrastructure failures have cost the state billions of dollars and untold impacts on humans and the environment. The course additionally complements the recent publication of "Are Community Philanthropic Organizations Planning for Climate Change?" in Volume 17, Issue 1 of the Johnson Center's peer-reviewed journal of philanthropy, The Foundation Review. The role of philanthropy in crisis highlights the critical function of foundations, especially community foundations, in convening and rapidly deploying resources during disasters.

Public Offering of “A Disaster Simulation”

The Johnson Center is currently offering a special public version of “A Disaster Simulation” to complement the publication of a related article in The Foundation Review. We invite all interest grantmakers and community leaders to participate!

Wednesday, October 8 // 12:30-4:30p.m. // Online

THE FOUNDATION REVIEW

Go Deeper: Are Community Philanthropic Organizations Planning for Climate Change?

In Volume 17, Issue 1 of the Johnson Center's peer-reviewed journal of philanthropy, The Foundation Review, article authors Beth Gazley, Rachel Cash, and Laurie Paarlberg conduct a statewide evaluation of the role of community foundations and United Ways in disaster response in Indiana. Their article offers recommendations for how climate change discussions can be depoliticized by focusing on each community’s lived experiences with disaster, by conducting risk assessments, and by networking to share information and effective practices.

Watch & Learn

Explore recorded webinars, thoughtful interviews, and on-demand learning content.

Conversations that Matter

The Johnson Center hosts a range of virtual and in-person programs. Whenever possible, we record our programs to make them available for the larger field.

Research in Focus

These programs highlight new and emerging research on some of the most pressing and innovative topics in philanthropy today. Featuring studies on donor advised funds, the collective giving movement, and more, these webinars bring together researchers and practitioners to share findings, explore implications, and spark dialogue across the sector.

Dialogues & Big Ideas

The Johnson Center convenes thoughtful, timely conversations with expert practitioners and researchers from across the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. These sessions explore complex issues and questions, share a broad range of perspectives, and invite reflection on the values and practices shaping our work. Whether you're looking to spark new ideas or deepen your understanding, these dialogues offer rich insights to inform your practice.

Live Events

Catch up on key moments from the Johnson Center’s live events with these recorded sessions. Programs feature dynamic presentations, panel discussions, and keynote conversations that bring together leaders, practitioners, and changemakers from across the philanthropic sector. Whether you missed the live event or want to revisit the insights shared, these recordings offer valuable opportunities to learn, reflect, and stay connected to the latest conversations shaping the field.

From The Foundation Review

Authors, reviewers, editors, and supporters of The Foundation Review are featured in webinars and introductory videos that accompany each issue and individual articles. Speakers discuss the content of their articles and engage with one another to make connections, offer suggestions, and inspire new ways of thinking about and evaluating philanthropic initiatives, partnerships, and programs.

Playlists Available on YouTube

Major Trends in Philanthropy

In this series, expert practitioners and researchers in philanthropy engage with the Johnson Center’s annual 11 Trends in Philanthropy report. These recorded webinars explore the key forces shaping the sector—offering analysis, real-world context, and actionable insights. Whether you’re tracking emerging developments or planning for the future, these conversations provide a deeper understanding of the trends influencing philanthropic practice today and how they interact with and shape one another.

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Past, Present, and Future: 30th Anniversary Celebration Series

How has philanthropy changed in the past 30 years? How might it be different 30 years from now? This three-part series celebrating the Johnson Center’s 30th Anniversary in 2022-2023 explores the past, present, and possible future of our sector as we experience ebbs and flows, experiment with new models for achieving impact, and place our national sector in its global context.

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The Foundation Review: 15th Anniversary Celebration

The Foundation Review celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2024 with two special anniversary issues and a collection of author videos. Here from authors, editors, and journal champions to learn more about the journal’s impact, reach, and role in the philanthropic sector.

The Foundation Review: Webinars

The Foundation Review, the Johnson Center’s peer-reviewed journal of philanthropy, publishes three issues per year. Some issues are unthemed, while others focus on a specific topic such as Impact Investing, Community Leadership and the Sustainable Development Goals, or Global Philanthropy. Many issues are accompanied by webinars featuring authors and their partners, digging more deeply into the frameworks, case studies, and big ideas shared in each article. Catch each webinar and explore the full archive of The Foundation Review, all available via Digital Open Access.

Browse Issues

The Foundation Review: Author Videos

Article authors and partners often record brief introductory videos to share more context, insights, and information for readers before they dive into the text. In this playlist, meet your favorite authors, find new peers to connect to, and discover the full range of topics and subject matter expertise available in the journal.

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Evaluation and Impact Investing

Designed to engage evaluators and impact investors on the opportunities for using evaluative thinking in social finance and impact investing, this series focuses on the three program phases — planning, implementation, and recalibration — and how evaluators can use their skills in each phase. This series was cohosted by the Johnson Center with the American Evaluation Association, the Council of Michigan Foundations, and Mission Investors Exchange.

Summit Replay: Donor Journeys

From 2011-2019, the Johnson Center’s Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy hosted a biennial National Summit on Family Philanthropy. In 2019, the summit focused on the theme “Our Donor Journeys and Why They Matter.” The program featured three panel conversations: Partners on the Giving Journey, Journeys After Trauma, and Next Gen Social Justice Journeys. Each dialogue was recorded and is shared here in a four-part playlist, including an introduction from Founding Frey Chair Michael Moody, Ph.D.