The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed & Exhibited: Grand Rapids, Michigan

11/18/2022

11/18/2022

We loved hosting this amazing group of Black grant makers who were in town for the Council of Michigan Foundations conference. Shout out to Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Huntington National Bank, Stryker-Johnston Foundation, Wege Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Muskegon County, PEAK Grantmaking and Blue Cross Blue Shield for community thru!!!!!

11/10/2022

Thanks for checking out the exhibit this evening Association of Fundraising Professionals West Michigan!

11/07/2022

It was an incredible evening, gathering to kickoff The Soul of Philanthropy pop-up exhibit at Muse GR! We were honored to recognize Baxter Community Center, Greater Grand Rapids NPHC, and Grand Rapids Community Foundation Black Legacy Fund for their philanthropic contributions to the Black community in Grand Rapids.

While Michigan-based philanthropy is a leader in its class for effective and wide-reaching impact, there are an untraceable amount of phantomized stories of giving in African American communities across the state that have historically gone unrecognized or undercelebrated. When community members visit The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited, they will learn the stories of Black philanthropists- those who give through time, talent, treasure and testimony-through the lens of exhibit creator Valaida Fullwood

11/07/2022

Thank you for joining us for the opening night of the exhibit! We hope you make plans to see the exhibit for yourself at Muse GR if you haven't already.

08/31/2022

Registration is still open for today's virtual conversation, The Soul of Philanthropy Michigan: A Celebration of Black Philanthropy →
https://johnsoncenter.org/event/083122/

Join the community leaders coming together across Michigan to bring the exhibit to Grand Rapids and Detroit, today at noon.

August 31 @ 12:00 pm–1:00 pm EDT The Soul of Philanthropy Michigan: A Celebration of Black Philanthropy Online FREE! Join us for a virtual conversation with the community leaders bringing “The Soul of Philanthropy” — a powerful exhibition sharing stories of generosity among Americans of Afri...

08/26/2022

“Black Philanthropy is a core value, an international movement, and an endless opportunity to celebrate, educate, and inspire. I care deeply about the ways we uplift our rich tradition of giving while continually expanding the depth and breadth of giving opportunities to impact our community.”

– Aimee Laramore, director of learning services at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy

Join Aimee, Tatum Hawkins, Collin Mays, Nikia Washington, and Tory Martin on August 31 for a virtual conversation about "The Soul of Philanthropy" and the history of Black philanthropy.

Register here for free → https://johnsoncenter.org/event/083122/

08/25/2022

PARTNER BLOG: The latest blog post from the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy comes from guest contributor Marsha Morgan. She shares how the Community Investment Network helps Black families and communities make strategic philanthropy and collective giving part of their lives.

Morgan also calls on our sector to recognize and celebrate Black giving and Black leadership — not only during Black Philanthropy Month but year-round — and offers suggestions for easy ways to do so.

Read more →

Marsha Morgan shares how the Community Investment Network lifts up Black philanthropy by supporting giving circles and Black donors.

08/10/2022

Special thanks to our sponsors for their generous support in bringing “The Soul of Philanthropy” to Grand Rapids this fall!

🥇 GOLD SPONSORS
Association of Fundraising Professionals West Michigan
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Max and Marjorie Fisher Foundation
Wege Foundation

🥈 SILVER SPONSORS
Plante Moran
Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy

💎 HOST COMMITTEE SPONSORS
Collin Mays
Frey Foundation

🤝 COMMUNITY PARTNER SPONSOR
Rachel Decker

08/05/2022

The Soul of Philanthropy is coming to Grand Rapids! 📷

Groundbreaking in its focus and depth, “Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited” is a special exhibition created by Valaida Fullwood and photographer Charles W. Thomas, Jr. The exhibit presents stories of generosity among Americans of African descent.

A special pop-up, abridged edition of the exhibit will be hosted at Muse GR in Grand Rapids from October 22–November 26, 2022, presented in partnership with the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy.

Explore black-and-white photographs and narratives offering insights into centuries-old cultural customs and beliefs about the giving and generosity that — though rarely referred to as “philanthropy” in Black communities — have long been an integral and transformational force in lives and communities throughout American society.

More details to come. Like and follow this page for the latest info!

08/05/2022

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Described as an idea whisperer, Valaida Fullwood brings unbridled imagination and a gift for harnessing wild ideas to her work as a writer, public speaker, and consultant.

She is the award-winning author of “Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists,” a 400–page hardcover book profiling stories of philanthropy among African Americans that was developed with photographer Charles Thomas. “Giving Back” was named one of the 10 Best Black Books of 2011 and received the prestigious 2012 McAdam Book Award, which celebrates “the most inspirational and useful new book for the nonprofit sector.”

In 2014, Valaida was named Lake Distinguished Visitor at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She is a founding member of the New Generation of African American Philanthropists and blogs at https://valaida.com/.