Van Iwaarden, Donna, video interview and transcript
Philanthropy and society
Personal narratives
Charities
Michigan
Grand Rapids (Mich.)
Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership
Women
Donna Van Iwaarden, former director of the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University discusses her early life, education, family, and work at the University of North Carolina, Grand Valley State University’s School of Public and Nonprofit Administration, and the Johnson Center for Philanthropy. She discusses the development of the Community Research Institute (CRI) and The Grantmaking School. She describes her role as the director of the Johnson Center in creating nonprofit training, university initiatives, and research, and her efforts to increase the visibility of the Johnson Center in the university, in the community, and at national level.
Van Iwaarden, Donna
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership, Michigan Philanthropy Oral History Project
In Copyright
Johnson Center for Philanthropy Archives
Payne, Michael R. video interview and transcript
Grand Valley State University
Education, Higher--Curricula
Universities and colleges--United States--Administration
Michael (Mike) Payne, Ph.D., discusses his service in the Air Force, education in economics at the University of Missouri and Syracuse, his study of for-profit and nonprofit hospitals in New York State in the late 60s, and teaching at Union University, Western Michigan University, and Grand Valley State University. He discusses developing health administration curriculum at Grand Valley State University, incorporation of nonprofit administration in the public administration field, and development of the Johnson Center for Philanthropy.
Payne, Michael R.
Orosz, Joel J. video interview and transcript
Associations, institutions, etc.
Joel Orosz discusses his education and work at the Kalamazoo Public Museum, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University. He authored a book on how to be a grantmaker. He shares stories about the development of the Council of Michigan Foundations, Michigan community foundations with Youth Advisory Committees, Michigan Youth Philanthropy Initiative Project, Learning to Give, and the Johnson Center. He discusses Johnson Center programs: The Grantmaking School, Community Research Institute, The Foundation Review, Nonprofit Good Practice Guide. He reflects on the importance of the nonprofit sector in philanthropy and the value of a liberal education.
Orosz, Joel J.
Mawby, Russell G. video interview and transcript
Russ Mawby discusses his youth on a fruit farm and involvement with 4H and the Boy Scouts, his agricultural studies at Michigan State and Purdue Universities, and his military service in the US Army. He reflects on the history of the Kellogg family, the Kellogg Company, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and his work as CEO of the W.K. Foundation. He details efforts of the Foundation in Michigan and abroad, his involvement with the Council on Foundations and the Foundation Center, and his work developing the Council of Michigan Foundations, Michigan Nonprofit Association, Michigan Community Service Commission, and the Johnson Center for Philanthropy. He concludes with reflections on the initiatives that have given him the most pride, and those that still need the most work.
Mawby, Russell G.
Mast, Myron D. video interview and transcript
Myron "Mike" Mast, Ph.D., discusses his early life and education in South Dakota, his move to Grand Rapids to attend Calvin College, and his graduate work at the University of Colorado. He discusses the development of public administration as a field of study at Grand Valley State University, the role of faculty in shaping the School of Public and Nonprofit Administration, development of the nonprofit curriculum and the Johnson Center for Philanthropy, and his plans for life after retirement.
Mast, Myron D.
Johnson, Dorothy A., video interview and transcript
Grand Haven (Mich.)
Dorothy "Dottie"Johnson discusses her early life in Los Angeles and her education in public schools and at UC Berkeley and Harvard. She talks about working for J. Walter Thompson in New York and about moving to Grand Haven, Mich. where she began a family and a philanthropic career with extensive volunteer work. She describes how she became involved with the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation and other organizations and how she began her 25 year career with the Council of Michigan Foundations. The interview includes her thoughts on issues in philanthropy today and advice for young people starting their careers.
Johnson, Dorothy A.
Frey, David, G. video interview and transcript
Family foundations
Frey Foundation
David Frey is chairman of the Frey Foundation, a Grand Rapids, Michigan based family foundation. He discusses his early life, education, service as an officer in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and work as chairman and CEO of Union Bank, now part of J.P. Morgan Chase. He discusses how his parents established the Frey Foundation and how they inspired their children to participate in the community. He shares how he and his siblings built the foundation and how they are involving the next generation. He discusses the foundation’s focus areas and outcome-based philanthropy. He discusses his service with the United Way and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, partnerships with other foundations, fundraising for universities, co-chairing the capital campaign for the Seidman Business School, and establishment of the Frey Foundation Chair at the Johnson Center. As one of the founders of the Grand Vision Committee, which became Grand Action, he was interested in building a convention center and arena with a promise of employing those living in the Heartside neighborhood of Grand Rapids.
Frey, David G.
Esposito, Virginia video interview and transcript
Virginia Esposito (Ginny) is the Founding President of the National Center for Family Philanthropy. She discusses her early life, education, and work as teacher and administrator at the Council on Foundations, and CEO of the National Center for Family Philanthropy. She also discusses meeting inspiring international leaders, experiences with her mentor Paul Ylvisaker, the origins and development of the National Center, regional associations of grantmakers, and the Grand Rapids philanthropic community. She shares discoveries from hundreds of her interviews with families about family foundation transition, the economic issues of payout and perpetuity, and the challenges and feelings of responsibility and joy of foundation giving.
Esposito, Virginia
Agard, Kathryn A., video interview and transcript
Muskegon (Mich.)
Kathryn A. Agard, Executive Director of the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, 2006-2010. She discusses her early life, education, family, and work in the Mental Health field, at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Hackley Hospital, Council of Michigan Foundations, and the Johnson Center. She discusses developing Youth Advisory Committees in Michigan Community Foundations, Learning to Give and the development of philanthropy curriculum for grades K-12. She shares the history of the Johnson Center, development of its programs and partnerships, efforts to capture Michigan’s philanthropic history and her goals as director.
Agard, Kathryn, A.
Conversation with Bruce Fetzer and Mike Gergely
Philanthropy and society--Personal narratives
Family foundations--Michigan
Charities--Michigan
Fetzer Institute
Mike Gergeley, Co-Trustee of the Fetzer Institute Memorial Trust, talks with friend Bruce Fetzer, Treasurer of The Fetzer Institute in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and great nephew of John E. Fetzer, about John Fetzer's legacy, including: his radio station business accomplishments, spirituality, ownership of the Detroit Tigers and the Fetzer Institute's work in the world.
Fetzer, Bruce
Gergeley, Michael C.
Grand Valley State University Special Collections & University Archives, Johnson Center for Philanthropy Archives, Council of Michigan Foundations StoryCorp Interviews
Michigan Radio, Grand Valley State University Special Collections & University Archives
Johnson Center Philanthropy Collection (JCPA-08)
Conversation with Diana Sieger and Joseph Medcalf
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Diana Seiger, President of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation (GRCF), talks with youth grantmaker Joseph Medcalf about how his experience as a youth trustee on GRCF's board and a member of their Youth Advisory Council has developed his leadership skills.
Seiger, Diana
Medcalf, Joseph
Conversation with John Colina and Jomie Goerge
Colina Foundation
Father and daughter pair John Colina, President, and Jomie Goerge, Trustee, of the Colina Foundation, talk about why John created their family foundation in Southgate, Michigan, what he's learned along the way, and their family's ongoing commitment to early childhood issues.
Colina, John
George, Jomie
Conversation with Priscilla Byrns, Stephen Upton, David Upton, and Sylvia Wood
Frederick S. Upton Foundation
StoryCorps facilitator Jonathan Pumilia interviews Frederick S. Upton Foundation family members and trustees Priscilla Byrns, Stephen Upton, David Upton and Sylvia Wood about their family foundation in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Together they remember their father Louis Upton, one of the co-founders of the Whirlpool Corporation and how his life was an inspiration to them all as people and philanthropists.
Byrns, Pricillia
Upton, Stephen
Upton, David
Wood, Sylvia
Conversation with Patrick Wilson and Marsha Smith
Rotary Charities of Traverse City
Traverse City (Mich.)
Marsha Smith, Executive Director of Rotary Charities of Traverse City and Attorney Patrick Wilson recall the organization's history and Pat's legal involvement after the discovery of oil and gas at Rotary's camp in 1976 and the development of the organization's philanthropy. The two also talk about significant projects and partnerships, including: the Rotary Center, Traverse City Film Festival, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and others.
Smith, Marsha
Wilson, Patrick
Conversation with Carol Goss and Gerald Smith
Skillman Foundation
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Youth
Friends and colleagues Carol Goss, President & CEO of The Skillman Foundation, and Gerald Smith, President & CEO of YouthVille Detroit, talk about their philanthropic influences (Russ Mawby, parents, YMCA), the creation of the Detroit Youth Foundation from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's youth initiative, and both of their commitment and work to improve the lives of children and youth in the City of Detroit, Michigan.
Smith, Gerald
Goss, Carol
Conversation with Charles and Stella Royce
Grand Rapids, Michigan, philanthropists Charles and Stella Royce tell Rebecca Noricks, Communications Manager at the Council of Michigan Foundations, the story of how they met and about their passion for supporting the arts and commitment to their city.
Royce, Charles
Royce, Stella
Conversation with Rick Hughey, Jr. and Bob Rowe
Irving S. Gilmore Foundation
Rick Hughey, Jr., Executive Vice President/CEO of the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation in Kalamazoo, Michigan talks with grantee Bob Rowe, a musician from Renaissance Enterprises, about Bob's transformative work of bringing gospel, country and R&B music into nursing homes.
Rowe, Bob
Hughey, Rick
Conversation with Margaret "Ranny" Rieker
Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation
Council of Michigan Foundations
Margaret "Ranny" Riecker, President/Treasurer of the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation in Midland, Michigan, tells Rebecca Noricks, Communications Manager at the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF), about her family's philanthropy and her memories about founding CMF.
Riecker, Margaret
Conversation with Kate Pew Wolters and Susan Broman
Susan Broman, President, Steelcase Foundation, talks with her colleague and friend Kate Pew Wolters, President, Kate & Richard Wolters Foundation about Kate's life experiences with philanthropy, including: being the child of philanthropists; starting her own foundation with her husband; how philanthropy has affected her and what her advice is to other children inheriting their parents' foundation.
Pew Wolters, Kate
Broman, Susan
Conversation with Miriam Noland and David Page
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Jewish Fund
Colleagues Miriam Noland, President of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and David Page, Trustee, The Jewish Fund, talk about philanthropy's role in revitalizing downtown Detroit through the Detroit Riverfront Project.
Noland, Miriam
Page, David
Conversation with Mark Nepo and Shirley Showalter
Fetzer Institute colleagues Shirley Showalter, Vice President of Programs, and Mark Nepo, Program Officer of Kalamazoo, Michigan, talk about each of their personal experiences with philanthropy, including several stories drawn from around the world about generosity, giving and the true meaning of philanthropy - that it is "all about love."
Showalter, Shirley
Nepo, Mark
Conversation with Carol Morley-Beck and Robert and Sue Morley
Morley Foundation
Carol Morley-Beck interviews her parents Robert and Sue Morley about being the 3rd and 4th generations involved in the Morley Foundation, founded in 1948 in Saginaw, Michigan, and the causes and organizations they've supported over the years including Interlochen Music Camp, YMCA and Toledo Junior League.
Morley-Beck, Carol
Beck, Robert
Beck, Sue
Conversation with Olivia Maynard and Olof Karlstrom
Heron Oaks Foundation
Olivia Maynard, President of the Heron Oaks Foundation in Flint, Michigan, talks with her husband Olof Karlstrom, Treasurer, about the influence of her Swedish mother's volunteer work in Detroit on her understanding of philanthropy, their intentions for their children to manage the foundation in the future and how the Heron Oaks Foundation is partnering with the public and private sector to revitalize downtown Flint.
Maynard, Olivia
Karlstrom, Olof
Conversation with Russell Mawby and Kari Pardoe
Former Council of Michigan Foundations' Youth Philanthropy Associate, Kari Pardoe, talks with her mentor Russell Mawby, Chairman Emeritus of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan, about the youth philanthropy movement in Michigan and Russ's perspectives on giving time, talent and treasurer for the greater good.
Mawby, Russell
Pardoe, Kari