Research, Reports, and Publications
Submissions from 2026
The Annual DAF Report 2025: Updated Analysis Memo, H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Jeff Williams, Genevieve G. Shaker, and Rachel M. Sumsion
Beyond Good Intentions, Nonprofits Must Show Good Work to Build Trust, Emily Doebler, Jennifer Lawson, and Brenda Falk
Community-Led Movements are Driving Climate Action, Trish Abalo and Emily Doebler
Donors Face New Dangers Amid Increasing Political Violence and Attacks on Charitable Foundations, Elizabeth J. Dale and Brenda Falk
Employee Well-Being at Risk During Times of Hyper Disruption, Jill Roof, Anneliese Orr, and Mandy Sharp Eizinger
Innovation and Survival: The Charitable Sector is Looking for New Ways to Work, Jeff Williams
Partners No More? Government and Philanthropy Navigate a Fractured Relationship, Jill Roof and Jeff Williams
Public and Nonprofit Media are Facing Existential Threats, Trish Abalo and Emily Doebler
The Evolving Landscape of Philanthropy: Collective Practices, Digital Tools, and the Search for Connection, Michael D. Layton
Weighing the Power of AI Against Its Impact, Kallie Bauer and Emily Brenner
We Need Data and We Need Context. Both Are at Risk., Joe VanDoornik and Kallie Bauer
Where the Government Steps Back, Business and Philanthropy Can Step Forward Together, Emily Brenner, Tory Martin, and Anneliese Orr
Submissions from 2025
Annual DAF Report 2025, H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Jeff Williams, Genevieve G. Shaker, and Rachel M. Sumsion
Adopting Community-Centric Fundraising: Findings from a National Study, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, Elizabeth J. Dale, and Maya Hemachandra
11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2025, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University
America’s Population is Rapidly Aging. Can Philanthropy Keep Up?, Trish Abalo
Collective Giving Projected to Double in the Next Five Years, Michael Layton
Evolution and Challenges of Social Justice Philanthropy in a Polarized Era, Crisol Beliz, Emily Doebler, and Jennifer Lawson
Four Key Factors are Driving a Surge in Nonprofit Lobbying Activities, Tory Martin
Increasing Efforts to Address the Health Professional Shortage, Jennifer Lawson
More Foundations Opt for Planned Lifespans and Spend-Down Strategies, Elizabeth J. Dale
Tax “Cliff” in 2025 Could Mean Major Change for Philanthropy and Nonprofits, Trish Abalo and Jeff Williams
The Movement to Fund Democracy is Learning Important Lessons, Elizabeth J. Dale
The Nonprofit Workforce is in Crisis, Mandy Sharp Eizinger and Jill Roof
What Does the Future of Volunteering Look Like?, Tory Martin
With Unique Approaches and Millions Raised, Giving Days Grow Up, Julie Couturier and Tory Martin
National Survey of Donor Advised Fund Donors, Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC), H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Jeff Williams, and Rachel Sumsion
The National Survey of Donor Advised Fund Managers, Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC), H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Rachel Sumsion, and Jeff Williams
The National Survey of Donor Advised Fund Managers: Executive Summary and Key Findings, Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC), H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Rachel Sumsion, and Jeff Williams
Submissions from 2024
Conectando la filantropía comunitaria y familiar en América Latina: México, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy de la Grand Valley State University, Michael D. Layton, and Michael Moody
Connecting Community and Family Philanthropy in Latin America: Mexico, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State Universit, Michael D. Layton, and Michael Moody
11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2024, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University
AAPI Communities are Leading an Upswell in Philanthropy, Trish Abalo and Mandy Sharp Eizinger
Affordable Housing is a National Crisis with a Distinct Local Impact, Julie Couturier, Emily Dorn Jex, and Lesley D. Slavitt
A Wake-Up Call for Investing in the South, Trish Abalo and Tory Martin
Donor Anonymity Is Under the Microscope, Tory Martin and Michael D. Layton
Expected Changes to Federal Race and Ethnicity Standards Present Opportunities — and Caveats, Aaron Yore-VanOosterhout and Emily Doebler
Financial Stress and Philanthropic Influence: The Precarious Promise of Generation Z, Aimée A. Laramore
Influencer Philanthropy Is On the Rise, but the Platform Matters, Emily Brenner and Tory Martin
The Artificial Intelligence Revolution Arrives in Philanthropy, Kallie Bauer
The Fiscal Sponsorship Model: A Growing Trend in the Nonprofit Sector, Jeff Williams and Alexandra Akaakar
With Crisis Comes Change: Black Women and the Glass Cliff, Aimée A. Laramore
With Thousands of Incarcerated Students Enrolled in Higher Education, How do We Measure Success?, Emily Doebler and Aaron Yore-VanOosterhout
In Abundance An Analysis of the Thriving Landscape of Collective Giving in the U.S., Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, Philanthropy Together, Adriana Loson-Ceballos, and Michael D. Layton
Patterns in the Tapestry: A Typology of Collective Giving Groups, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, Philanthropy Together, Isis Krause, and Michael D. Layton
The National Study on Donor Advised Funds, Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC), H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Brittany Kienker, and Jeff Williams
The National Study on Donor Advised Funds: Executive Summary and Key Findings, Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC), H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Brittany Kienker, and Jeff Williams
Submissions from 2013
Estimate of Charitable Giving in Kent County, Mich., for 2011, The Johnson Center
Michigan Benefits Access Initiative: Role of the Office of Foundation Liaison, The Johnson Center
Valuing SROI: Social Return on Investment Techniques and Organizational Implementation in the Netherlands and United States, Johnson Center at Grand Valley State University, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, Michael Moody, Laura Littlepage, John Marron, Naveed Paydar, and Pattijean McCahill
Community Literacy Initiative, Literacy Report, Part i: Third Grade Reading, 2013, Literacy Center of West Michigan
References, Literacy Center of West Michigan
Next Gen Donors: Respecting Legacy, Revolutionizing Philanthropy, Sharna Goldseker and Michael Moody
2012 West Michigan Nonprofit Compensation and Benefit Survey Report, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
2013 Nonprofit Needs Assessment, Johnson Center at Grand Valley State University
2013 Nonprofit Needs Assessment, A Profile of Michigan's Most Urgent Professional Development Needs, Heather Carpenter, Rachel Gregg, and Alaina Clarke
Estimate of Charitable Giving in Kent County, Mich. for 2011, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy
Evaluation of The Office of Foundation Liaison, 2013, Johnson Center at Grand Valley State University
La inicitiva contra la violencia en la comunidad, 2013, Johnson Center
Submissions from 2012
Estimate of Charitable Giving in Kent County, Mich., for 2010, The Johnson Center
Johnson Center Data Brief Estimate of Charitable Giving in Kent County, Mich., for 2010, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy
Developing a Master Data Sharing Agreement May 2012, The Foundation Review
Real Estate Owned Foreclosed Homes: Preliminary Report, 2012, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Community Survey Brief, Civic Engagement, 2012, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
The Michigan Historical Residential Foreclosure Data Project, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Community Violence Initiative, 2013, Johnson Center
Submissions from 2011
Greater Grand Rapids Community Survey Lunch & Learn Presentation, 2011, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Proposed Changes to Michigan Tax Code, Effect on Michigan Nonprofits, Johnson Centre- Michigan Nonprofit Association
Final Report, Kent County Early Childhood Indicators – Baseline Data, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Final Report, Chronic Early Absenteeism:Prevalence and MEAP Performance in Kent ISD, 2006-2009, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
The Financial State of the Sector A Report on Michigan Nonprofits, The Johnson Center
Population and Housing Trends in West Michigan, 2011, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
2010 Census Redistricting File Field Description, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Greater Grand Rapids Community Survey Chart Book, 2011, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Submissions from 2010
Chronic Early Absenteeism: Analysis of Kent ISD Public School Attendance Policies, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Grand Rapids Juvenile Offense Index, A Multi-Year Trend Analysis, 2006-2009, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
A Cycle of Change, A Brief profile of the Automotive Industry in West Michigan, 2007-2010, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Housing & Transportation, Affordability in Grand Rapids and Kent County, Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness
Kent County Community Violence Assessment 2003, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Submissions from 2009
Grand Rapids Juvenile Offense Index Annual Report, 2007, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Central City Weed & Seed, Fourth Annual Community Survey, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Youth Violence Reduction Literature Review, Grand Valley State University, School of Criminal Justice
Submissions from 2008
Greater Grand Rapids Community Survey, 2008, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Residential Foreclosures in Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan January-June 2008, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
2008 Executive Compensation in Nonprofit Organizations of West Michigan, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
2008 West Michigan Nonprofit Compensation and Benefit Survey Report, The Johnson Center
Sold Short: Residential Foreclosures in Kent County, 2004 – 2007, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
NP2020: Issues and Answers from the Next Generation, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy
Submissions from 2007
Grand Rapids Juvenile Offense Index Annual Report, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Greater Grand Rapids Community Survey Briefing, Employment, 2006, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Greater Grand Rapids Community Survey Briefing, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Lessons from the Employer Practice Workforce Innovation Executive Summary, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Evaluating Community Food Security in Kent County, 2006, Kent County Michigan Health Department
Greater Grand Rapids Community Survey Briefing, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
Greater Grand Rapids Community Survey Briefing, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
The Economic Impact of Nonprofits in Kent County, 2007, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
The Economic Impact of Nonprofits in Muskegon County, 2007, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
The Economic Impact of Nonprofits in Newaygo County, 2007, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
The Economic Impact of Nonprofits in Ottawa County, 2007, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
2005/2006 Greater Grand Rapids Community Survey Results, Community Research Institute-Johnson Center
