A Challenging Environment
Foundations in the United States award $40 billion in grants each year. Foundation grantmaking professionals perform the research, conduct the analyses and draft the recommendations that lead to those awards.
Grantmaking professionals seek to solve daunting problems. In the process, they are called on to consider plans of work, examine balance sheets, evaluate debt ratios, research benchmarks, define outcomes, negotiate contracts, draft grant agreements, secure board approvals, monitor projects and report results. In the face of escalating social problems, mounting public scrutiny, and tremendous interest in accountability, grantmakers find themselves facing ever-more complex, technical and data-driven issues.
Given this challenging environment, the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership of Grand Valley State University sees both a need and an opportunity for advanced education of foundation grantmaking professionals. With a practical curriculum designed to build the essential skills of experienced grantmakers, The Grantmaking School of the Johnson Center has been designed to improve the practice of philanthropy through research-based education. It offers the first university-based, practitioner-led curriculum specifically for experienced grantmakers.
An Essential Role
The work of grantmaking professionals is absolutely essential to effective philanthropy. They are the interface between applicants and grantees on the outside of the foundation, and the executive staff and boards of trustees on the inside. Recommendations made by grantmaking professionals shape the selection, management, and ultimately, the societal impact of projects funded by their foundations. It is through them that foundations learn most of their lessons and achieve their potential for good.
Given the central role played by grantmaking professionals, the vital interests of both foundations and society are best served when these players have the capacity to perform their work at the highest possible level.
Achieving New Levels of Success
All grantmaking professionals have one thing in common: they were all trained to do something else! Historically, foundations have adhered to the belief that the best grantmaking professionals have extensive experience in other fields or professions. No pre-professional certification or qualifying examination exists for those new to grantmaking. And, for those already in the field, the culture of continuing education and improving philanthropic practice is still in its formative stages.
The Grantmaking School seeks to help build a rich culture of ongoing learning and continuous improvement in the grantmaking field, and to ultimately improve the practice of philanthropy for all.