About Dr. Gillespie

 

Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) M. Gillespie is a scholar in public and nonprofit administration with a focus on philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, and social change. As a first-generation high school and college graduate, Dr. Gillespie’s path to academia is distinguished by a range of professional experiences, which ultimately led her to nonprofit leadership roles and, eventually, to an academic career.

Dr. Gillespie’s dedication to nonprofit work and philanthropy was ignited during her undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa, where she worked at the Women’s Resource and Action Center. In this role, she actively supported women seeking pro se legal divorces, mental health resources, and pathways to empowerment. These formative experiences fostered her lifelong commitment to advancing equity and social change through nonprofit work, experiences that continue to shape her research and teaching.

Dr. Gillespie joined the University of Memphis in 2020 as an assistant professor in the Department of Public and Nonprofit Administration, with an affiliate appointment at the Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. She earned her Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, her master’s degree from Drake University, and her bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Iowa, with minors in French and English.

With nearly a decade of nonprofit leadership experience, primarily working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Des Moines, Iowa, Dr. Gillespie integrates practical insights from the field into her teaching on nonprofit management, leadership, and resource development. Her contributions extend beyond academia, as she serves on the boards of The Memphis Challenge and Academic Women in Public Administration. Additionally, Dr. Gillespie consults as a fundraising expert and grant writer, supporting nonprofit practitioners and strengthening the sector.

Dr. Gillespie’s career reflects a dedication to lifelong learning, service, and meaningful social impact. She continues to advocate for the role of nonprofits and philanthropy in social change, inspiring and equipping the next generation of nonprofit leaders and scholars.

 

Research interests

Dr. Gillespie’s 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

• Women’s Philanthropy
• Women’s giving motivations and behaviors  
• Girls’ Philanthropy
• Philanthropy Education   

Nonprofits

• Grantmaking Foundations
• Women’s 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). Women’s grantmaking for economic security: The work of one coalition. The Foundation Review, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.9707/1944-5660.1518 

Gillespie, E.M. (2021) Empowerment-focused philanthropy: Bridging feminist theories and  organizational practices through U.S. women’s funds. Administrative Theory & Praxis, DOI: 10.1080/10841806.2021.1984103 

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): 103–135. https://doi.org/10.24926/jsepa.v2i2.5459

(Forthcoming) Gillespie, E., and Schlia, A. Cultivating tomorrow's philanthropists: Girls’philanthropy in girls’ schools. Philanthropy & Education. 

 

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: Women’s emancipation and civil society organizations. VOLUNTAS, 28(3), 1359-1360.

Gillespie, E.M. (2018). Book review: Funding feminism: Monied women, philanthropy, and the women’s movement, 1870-1967. Administrative Theory & Praxis. 

Gillespie, E.M. (2019). Women’s foundations and funds: A landscape study. Women’s Philanthropy Institute, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Indianapolis, IN.  https://scholarworks.iupui.edu/bitstream/handle/1805/19244/foundations-funds.pdf 

Gillespie, E.M. (2019). Change agents: The goals and impact of women’s foundations and funds. Women’s Philanthropy Institute, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Indianapolis, IN. https://scholarworks.iupui.edu/bitstream/handle/1805/21442/change-agents-dec19.pdf  

Gillespie, E.M. (2023). The women and children’s status report for Tennessee and Shelby County: With a special look at women’s philanthropy in Shelby County. Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. Memphis, TN. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.26231.50089 https://www.memphis.edu/padm/documents/ipnl-pdfs/philanthropy-report-shelbycounty22-23.pdf