Elizabeth Gillespie - PADM
About Dr. Gillespie
Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) M. Gillespie is an assistant professor in the Department of Public and Nonprofit Administration (DPNA) at the University of Memphis and an affiliate faculty member with the Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. Since joining the university in 2020, she has led both Memphis-based and national research initiatives focused on nonprofit organizations and philanthropy, with a particular emphasis on 飞辞尘别苍鈥檚 philanthropy, 飞辞尘别苍鈥檚 grantmaking foundations and funds, social change organizations, and nonprofit fundraising capacity. Through her scholarship and service, she has cultivated strong ties with the Memphis nonprofit community and is deeply committed to preparing the next generation of nonprofit leaders.
Dr. Gillespie brings nearly a decade of nonprofit leadership experience to her academic role. Her career in the sector began during her undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa, where she worked at the 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Resource and Action Center. There, she supported women seeking legal aid, mental health services, and empowerment opportunities鈥攁n experience that ignited her passion for advancing social change through nonprofit and philanthropic work.
Her research interests center on philanthropy, 飞辞尘别苍鈥檚 giving, nonprofit fundraising, grantmaking foundations and funds, and feminist and social change organizations. Dr. Gillespie earned her Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, her M.P.A. from Drake University, and her B.A. in History, with minors in French and English, from the University of Iowa.
In addition to her academic contributions, Dr. Gillespie performs consultant work for nonprofits, specializing in resource development and capacity building, through her role at the University of Memphis. She also writes grants for small to mid-sized nonprofits through her work with Write Change Grants. She currently serves on the boards of The Memphis Challenge, Academic Women in Public Administration, and The Arc Mid-South. Her work bridges theory and practice, equipping both students and practitioners to lead with purpose, equity, and impact.
In 2025, Dr. Gillespie co-founded The 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Giving Collective (WGC), a philanthropic 飞辞尘别苍鈥檚 giving circle dedicated to empowering women through collective giving. The WGC invests in causes that strengthen communities, transform lives, and advance gender and social equity through collaborative, values-driven philanthropy.
Research interests
Dr. Gillespie鈥檚 work often examines nonprofit and philanthropic approaches to social change, gender equality, and public administration, incorporating feminist theories and practices. Through her research, Dr. Gillespie seeks to enhance understanding and advance effective strategies within the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, fostering impactful social change.
Philanthropy
- 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Philanthropy
- 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 giving motivations and behaviors
- Girls鈥� Philanthropy
- Philanthropy Education
Nonprofits
- Grantmaking Foundations
- 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Foundations and Funds
- Social Change Organizations
- Feminist Organizations
- Nonprofit practices for social change
- Stakeholder Theory
Current Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Gillespie, E.M., Mirabella, R.M., Eikenberry, A.M. (2019). #Metoo/#Aidtoo and creating an intersectional feminist NPO/NGO sector. Nonprofit Policy Forum, 10(4). https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/npf-2019-0019/html
Gillespie, E.M. (2020). 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 grantmaking for economic security: The work of one coalition. The Foundation Review, 12(2).
Gillespie, E.M. (2021) Empowerment-focused philanthropy: Bridging feminist theories and organizational practices through U.S. 飞辞尘别苍鈥檚 funds. Administrative Theory & Praxis, DOI:
Gillespie, E., and Fletcher, B.J. (2024). Feminism, foundations, and social change:Understanding women's philanthropic nonprofits. Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration, 2024, 2(2): 103鈥�135.
Gillespie, E.M., & Schlia, A. (2025). Cultivating tomorrow's philanthropists: Girls' philanthropy in girls' schools. Philanthropy & Education 8(2), 1-30.
Gillespie, E. M., and M. Xie. 2025. 鈥� Exploring Determinants of Philanthropic Decision-Making Among Women Donors.鈥� Nonprofit Management and Leadership 1鈥�16. .
Non-Refereed Publications
Gillespie, E.M. (2017). Citizen participation and nonprofit organizations. Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance, Springer International Publishing.
Gillespie, E.M. (2017). Book review: 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 emancipation and civil society organizations. VOLUNTAS, 28(3), 1359-1360.
Gillespie, E.M. (2018). Book review: Funding feminism: Monied women, philanthropy, and the 飞辞尘别苍鈥檚 movement, 1870-1967. Administrative Theory & Praxis.
Gillespie, E.M. (2019). 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 foundations and funds: A landscape study. 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Philanthropy Institute, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Indianapolis, IN.
Gillespie, E.M. (2019). Change agents: The goals and impact of 飞辞尘别苍鈥檚 foundations and funds. 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Philanthropy Institute, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Indianapolis, IN.
Gillespie, E.M. (2023). The women and children鈥檚 status report for Tennessee and Shelby County: With a special look at 飞辞尘别苍鈥檚 philanthropy in Shelby County. Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. Memphis, TN. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.26231.50089 /padm/documents/ipnl-pdfs/philanthropy-report-shelbycounty22-23.pdf