Grand Valley State University’s Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, celebrating its 20th anniversary, is making great strides.

According to the mission statement, the Johnson Center is a university-based academic center serving nonprofits, foundations and others that seek to transform their communities for the common good through applied research, professional development and the advancement of social technologies.

In reports released by the center on National Philanthropy Day last Thursday donations in Kent County topped $600 million in 2010.

According to the Johnson Center data brief, in 2010, they estimated that donors of all types located in Kent County gave a total of $601,658,407. Of this, individuals gave the majority and foundations contributed a significant portion.

Total estimated giving in Kent County increased by $42.9 million from 2009 to 2010.
Over half of all donations came from individual donors, making up $348.78 million of the total in 2010.

In the first event of its kind, the Johnson Center for Philanthropy, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan and the South End Community Outreach Ministries are collaborating to support community participation in the national Giving Tuesday movement on Nov. 27, which encourages giving back during the holiday season despite the overwhelming consumerism the community experiences. As a founding partner of the day, the center is encouraging the GVSU community to show support.

According to the #GivingTuesday website the day is a campaign to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season. It celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations.

With more than 1,000 nonprofit organizations across all 50 states, taking part in the movement in response to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday encourages communities to show support for their local nonprofit organizations. For more information about Giving Tuesday go to www.givingtuesday.org.

For more information about the Johnson Center, there will be an open house on Dec. 13 or visit www.johnsoncenter.org.
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