We sat down with Dottie Johnson, president-emeritus of CMF, during CMF’s 2022 Annual Conference – the kickoff to our 50th Anniversary celebration – to discuss our storied history and how this work has set our CMF community on a stronger path for the future.
CMF Community Voices features a series of conversations and insights from leaders across our community of philanthropy. This curated collection of blogs and Q&As lifts up inspiring voices from changemakers providing reflections in the areas of Equity, People, Practice and Policy, with equity at the center.
In 1972, Dottie Johnson, then a trustee of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, was asked to join a steering committee comprised of individuals representing several Michigan foundations. The Conference for Michigan Foundations was created as an annual gathering for grantmakers to connect and learn together.
In 1975 it evolved into a membership organization – the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF), with Johnson serving as the executive secretary and Gil Hudson of the Hudson-Webber Foundation serving as the first chair of the CMF Board of Trustees.
As president of CMF, Johnson served in her role for 25 years, championing public-private partnerships, advocating at the state and federal levels for policies that strengthened philanthropy and the communities we serve, and leading collaborative efforts that continue to grow today.
We sat down with Johnson, president-emeritus of CMF, during CMF’s 2022 Annual Conference – the kickoff to our 50th Anniversary celebration – to discuss our storied history and how this work has set our CMF community on a stronger path for the future.
“Russ Mawby really was the founder of all of this (CMF),” Johnson shared.
Dr. Russell G. Mawby, president and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for 25 years until his retirement in 1995, was a founding member, chairman and chairman emeritus of CMF. Under his leadership, three of Michigan’s charitable sector infrastructure organizations were created, including CMF, Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) and the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC).
Mawby was one of the individuals who recognized the need for an organized, collective voice for Michigan philanthropy in policy and advocacy engagement, specifically Congress’ 1969 Tax Reform Act, which dealt with private foundations.
The Tax Reform Act prompted Michigan philanthropy to engage in ongoing communication with our policymakers to share the value of philanthropy.
“We knew it was time to tell our story,” Johnson shares.
Johnson and Bill White, chair of the CMF Board and CEO of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation at the time, joined in a visit to Washington, D.C., to make connections with policymakers and begin telling the stories of Michigan philanthropy, amplifying the work organizations were advancing in communities and how philanthropy could serve as a resource to them. Their advocacy efforts, which began in 1977, inspired the creation of Foundations on the Hill, a now-annual event that welcomes philanthropy leaders from around the country to Capitol Hill for dialogue with their Congressional leaders.
“What am I most proud of? I think our legislative efforts that have made tax reform policy easier for some private foundations. It encouraged giving. Also, our tax credit for community foundations on a state level. The public policy work was one of my greatest joys when I think of what was accomplished back in the day.”
Johnson was instrumental in passing the Michigan Community Foundation Tax Credit, which unlocked opportunities for increased giving by incentivizing families of all income levels to contribute to endowed funds across the state, strengthening our nonprofits. The tax credit was indeed a successful tool in boosting charitable donations across the state, particularly among first-time givers. It was unfortunately repealed in 2012, and CMF has since been actively advocating for its reinstatement together with our members.
Johnson’s servant leadership has spanned several decades and touched numerous organizations. In addition to her role at CMF, she was the founding trustee and chair of MNA, the founding commissioner of the MSCS, a 32-year trustee of WKKF and the founder of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers (now United Philanthropy Forum). She also supported the creation of the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University.
In 1987, Johnson helped create the first official public-private partnership between the state of Michigan and community foundations through the Community Foundation Energy Initiative. The collaborative partnership, with the support of CMF, was designed to manage the distribution of Exxon Oil payout in overcharged customer funds.
“I truly value and appreciate the recognition of what we can accomplish together. All you have to do is look at the history of CMF. Look at the history books. It's amazing.”
Johnson notes that the substantial growth of Michigan’s network of community foundations through WKKF, ensuring all 83 counties in Michigan are served by a community foundation, and the creation of youth advisory councils (YACs) are among those important accomplishments.
“I'm so pleased with our active program, the Michigan Community Foundations Youth Project (MCFYP). We have had thousands of young people participate, and I'm sure one of these days, one of them will be in Congress, if not president of the United States, because of the training received,” Johnson said.
Today more than 1,500 young people are serving on youth grantmaking committees across the state. Hundreds of youth leaders convene each year for the Youth Grantmakers Summer Leadership Conference, with planning led by MCFYP.
More than 50 years after she helped lead the creation of CMF, Johnson remains an engaged CMF member through her donor advised fund at the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. She attended the CMF 50th Annual Conference and joined us on the main stage to help kick off our year-long 50th anniversary celebration, acknowledging where we have been and looking to the future together.
“Today, it's just amazing what CMF and the members have accomplished through partnerships. The whole emphasis on equity and the potential that these areas have to improve our society are just innumerable.”
Want more?
Throughout the year you’ll hear voices from across our robust network highlighting impactful partnerships, leading-edge practices, transformative policy efforts and supports for all the people who power our sector.
In this first video, founding CMF president Dottie Johnson reflects on CMF’s earliest beginnings, and joins Rob Collier and Kyle Caldwell in sharing what inspires them as they think about our storied history and all the future possibilities for Michigan philanthropy. Watch here.
Historical information highlighted in this article is sourced and adapted from Our State of Generosity (OSoG), a partnership of CMF, MNA, MCSC and the Johnson Center and supported by several CMF members. OSoG captures, preserves, analyzes and shares the developments, achievements and experiences that made Michigan a State of Generosity. Learn more.
