Johnson Center launches first-ever Michigan philanthropy history site

OurStateofGenerosity.org, a unique new website launched by researchers at Grand Valley State University’s Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, catalogs four decades of work in Michigan to increase and improve philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. 

OSoG’s online materials describe the history, provide guidance, and will be a growing repository of resources to capture what is learned in Michigan’s philanthropy and beyond. The free website offers an opportunity for leaders around the world to access ideas and models for their communities, based on experiences and projects launched in Michigan — the developments and achievements that have made Michigan a “State of Generosity.”

Offering many resources that are not found elsewhere, OSoG profiles Michigan’s philanthropic leaders, describes projects to increase/improve the charitable sector, and provides unusual access and transparency to original historical documents of the four partner organizations. The partners (Council of Michigan Foundations, Michigan Nonprofit Association, Michigan Community Service Commission, and Johnson Center for Philanthropy) donated their historic records, now available through online text search through Grand Valley State University’s Library and Archives.

Within OurStateofGenerosity.org, current nonprofit and foundation board/staff members will find resources that provide an orientation to Michigan’s philanthropic culture of collaboration and the history of current institutions and projects.  Researchers and students studying the nonprofit and philanthropic sector will find a rich repository of original material describing four decades of experience in building structures to support giving and service, including project evaluations and lessons learned.  Emerging board and staff members in philanthropy will find examples of inspired and successful leadership to help inform their practice.

For more information, visit OurStateOfGenerosity.org