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Jim Walker believes that giving brings happiness.
Walker has led the Mackinac Center’s fundraising efforts for almost ten years, helping the Center grow its annual budget from more than $5 million in 2016 to more than $10 million in 2018. Our 2023 budget reached nearly $12 million.
State Policy Network recognized his contributions in 2024 with its inaugural Philanthropy Impact Award, created to honor an individual who has raised the bar in philanthropy. The call for nominations reached more than 60 organizations and required recommendations from both colleagues and donors.
Walker accepted the inaugural honor at the State Policy Network Annual Meeting in Arizona this August. “First are the Mackinac Center’s donors, who have taught me so much,” Walker told the crowd. He recounted a conversation with a group of donors on the topic of generosity and happiness. “Hope and joy push out discouragement,” one affirmed. Another said, “Your life is meant to be a gift to others.” Those statements challenged him and inspired gratitude.
Walker also thanked his wife, Kelly, as well as colleagues at the Mackinac Center and partner organizations.
“We have so many more talented people committed to making a difference,” added James Hohman, director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Center. “We’ve found new ways to win. And we’re working better with more people. Our growth and gains wouldn’t have happened without Jimmy.”
Walker emphasized that every act of generosity is an act of hope in a better future. He’s honored to receive the first Philanthropy Impact Award. “So many people have been a gift to my life,” he said. “Let’s think of our work as giving donors reasons to be even more generous, which will increase their hope and happiness. That is the gift we owe them.”
