Family foundations and other family donors play an essential and increasing, yet often unheralded, role in addressing social challenges and enhancing the quality of life in communities across the globe.
The Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy is the first 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.
“Every family has a philanthropic story — even if it’s not yet written. The question is, what is the legacy you and your family want to leave and how can the insights and experiences of others help you write your family’s story?”
Elizabeth Dale, Ph.D. | Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy
Michael Moody, Ph.D., served as inaugural Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy at the Johnson Center from 2010 to 2023. Learn more about Dr. Moody’s comprehensive, international program of applied research and thought leadership during his time at the Johnson Center. Learn More
A sought-after speaker for fundraisers and philanthropists, Dr. Dale has provided commentary to The New York Times, Forbes, Bloomberg, Chronicle of Philanthropy, and The Guardian. She received the AFP Early Career Emerging Scholar Award in 2021.
Learning how to be a “better” giver has been a prominent theme in philanthropy since giving moved from charity to a formalized and professionalized effort to improve our world. At the same time, we now recognize efforts to use non-charitable resources for social good, such as program-related investments, impact investing, triple bottom line expectations, etc.
Donor education is critical to giving thoughtfully, strategically, and with impact. According to the 2023 Bank of America High Net Worth Study of Philanthropy, just over 40% of HNW individuals have a plan for their giving and 63% indicated they would like to be more knowledgeable about some facet of their charitable giving.
This first-of-its-kind national study aims to understand nonprofits’ experiences with Community-Centric Fundraising, their successes and challenges, and what results organizations have seen since enacting CCF principles. Established in 2019 by a group of BIPOC fundraisers, Community-Centric Fundraising is a fundraising model grounded in equity and social justice that encourages holistic and mutual support of the nonprofit sector.
Dr. Dale is pursuing this research in partnership with co-researcher, fundraising practitioner, and consultant Maya Hemachandra of Sambar Nonprofit Solutions. Support for this project is provided by the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy.
lso called spend-down or sunset philanthropy, limited-life philanthropy is a strategy in which philanthropic organizations deliberately plan to spend down their assets within a set timeframe, rather than operating in perpetuity. The Johnson Center has been convening leaders, pursuing research, and helping to build resources and knowledge in this field for over a decade. Dr. Elizabeth Dale now leads this expanding work at the center, including serving as lead facilitator for our Peer Group of CEOs in Limited-Life Philanthropy. Connect with Dr. Dale to learn about group membership or to discuss research and resource needs in the field.
© 2026 Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy. All rights reserved.
201 Front Ave SW, Suite 200, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504 | (616) 331-7585 | jcp@gvsu.edu
