Let your “lessons learned” be their guiding ideas.
In-depth case studies are a powerful way for your organization to share what you’ve learned for the benefit of the field.

Your experiments and innovations can give your peers a boost and help speed the work of social good. We can develop practical, teachable case studies to capture your story and engage others in real-world learning. Examples include:

  • Document a history of family giving and multi-generational teamwork
  • Examine key decision points in a grantmaking or program development process
  • Capture your community’s plan for or response to change

The Johnson Center works with nonprofits and foundations of all types to make case studies available for all. We can also use these cases as the center of a workshop for your own staff — or for a broader audience, with a focus on how to apply the lessons learned within their own organizations.

Featured Cases & Partners

Grantmaking That Advances Equity
This 2019 teaching case is intended to help grantmakers deepen their understanding of the complexity of equity-focused grantmaking efforts through the use of a real-life example from The Kresge Foundation.
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Economic inclusion in Grand Rapids
Our “Economic Inclusion in Grand Rapids” report, underwritten by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, highlights changes in economic inclusion in specific Grand Rapids neighborhoods from 2014 to 2018.
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Creative projects and partnerships to advance your philanthropy
We want to talk to you about your highest priorities, your persistent challenges, and your nagging questions — and we want to partner with you to find effective and energizing solutions that spark great work.
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Ready to learn more?

Let’s work together to document and share your experiences for the good of the field.