Jennifer A. Taylor

Dr. Jennifer A. Taylor is an Associate Professor of Public Administration and Policy at James Madison University's Department of Political Science. She holds a Ph.D. from Old Dominion University and master's and bachelor's degrees from The Ohio State University and the University of South Carolina. Her expertise spans nonprofit governance, fundraising, DEIJA, and social impact leadership. Over 20 years, she has raised $20M+ in philanthropy and influenced policies supporting military families and nonprofits. She is a published author, including the 2022 Cambridge book Rage Giving, and leads innovative courses on public administration and social equity. Dr. Taylor also founded We Grow Social Impact, a professional education platform for nonprofit leaders, and serves in leadership roles with NASPAA and ARNOVA.

• Education:
• Ph.D. in Urban Policy and Public Administration, Old Dominion University
• M.A. in Arts Policy and Administration, The Ohio State University
• B.A. in Art History, University of South Carolina
• Research Focus: Nonprofit governance, philanthropy, social impact, and public policy. Specific interests include DEIJA strategies, fundraising innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.
• Articles & Books: Recent works explore multidimensional program outcomes, philanthropic collaboration frameworks, and social venture leadership. Her 2022 book Rage Giving challenges traditional philanthropy paradigms.
• Awards: President’s Purple Star Award for Community Service, Hall Outstanding Faculty/Staff Achievement Award.
• Advising & Leadership: Directed thousands of student service hours, led MPA program improvements, and prioritizes mentorship. No listed advisee names are provided in the text.
• External Initiatives: CEO/founder of We Grow Social Impact; sought-after speaker/consultant in nonprofit strategy.