Beverly Grant joins Johnson Center for Philanthropy as associate director

Grand Valley State University’s Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy has selected Beverly Franks Grant, L.M.S.W. (Licensed Master Social Worker) to be its first ever associate director.

Grant will serve as the chief operational leader, supporting executive director James Edwards in key leadership projects and maintaining client relationships with local, state and national foundations and organizations. She will also support members of the leadership team and serve as a key strategist in the center’s overall daily maintenance and operations.

Grant previously served as program officer for the DeVos Family Foundations in Grand Rapids where she provided operational leadership for the Foundations Community Impact program, which involved partnering with the Grand Rapids Public Schools and community- and faith-based organizations.

In the fall of 1989, Grant began her tenure with Bethany Christian Services as a family preservation therapist, supervisor and State of Michigan family preservation trainer. She left Bethany in 2008 as director of operations, director of quality assurance and director of strategic management.

Grant has conducted Family Preservation Supervision training in locations around the globe, and served as the deputy director of program services for the Child and Family and Developmental Disabilities divisions of Network180. 

Grant has served on the Council on Accreditation as a commissioner, board member and peer reviewer, City of Grand Rapids Board of Review, Grand Rapids Economic Club and the Children’s Law Center. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Grambling State University and Atlanta University, respectively.

The Johnson Center is an Academic Center at Grand Valley State University that works locally, nationally, and internationally with foundations, other grantmakers, and nonprofits to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the charitable sector.