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Lilly Endowment Inc.

Annual Giving
$2.4B
Grant Range
$50K - $100.0M
Decision Time
4mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2.4 billion (2024)
  • Total Assets: Nearly $80 billion (2024)
  • Decision Time: 3-6 months
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $100,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Indiana (especially Indianapolis) for community development and education; national for religion programs
  • Board Meetings: March, June, September, November, December

Contact Details

  • Website: www.lillyendowment.org
  • Phone: 317-924-5471
  • Email: info@lei.org
  • Address: 2801 N. Meridian St., P.O. Box 88068, Indianapolis, IN 46208-0068
  • Mailing Address for Applications: Send preliminary letters by regular or overnight mail only (no email submissions)

Overview

Founded in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr., Lilly Endowment Inc. is one of America's largest private foundations with nearly $80 billion in assets as of 2024. The foundation distributed $2.4 billion in grants in 2024, including $809 million through its religion division. Established with Eli Lilly and Company stock valued at $280,000, the foundation has grown to become the second-largest endowed foundation in the United States. Since 1937, Lilly Endowment has given more than $10 billion to over 10,000 organizations. The foundation's mission, articulated by founder Eli Lilly, is to "help improve the character of the American people." While separate from Eli Lilly and Company, the foundation's endowment includes substantial pharmaceutical company stock. The foundation focuses on three primary areas: community development (with priority for Indianapolis and Indiana), education and youth, and religion (national scope). Recent major initiatives include a $100 million grant to the National Park Foundation, $600 million allocated for Marion County K-12 schools, and over $200 million for the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative supporting theological education.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Development

  • Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT): Multi-million dollar initiative to strengthen Indiana's community foundations. GIFT VIII allocated up to $210 million, with matching fund grants totaling nearly $133.8 million awarded in 2024
  • Enhancing Opportunity in Indianapolis: $93.6 million initiative with 28 grants to help Marion County residents affected by poverty progress toward economic self-sufficiency
  • Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative: $100 million grant to National Urban League for collaborative efforts to advance prosperity in Indianapolis' African American community
  • Arts and Culture: Support for cultural institutions in Indianapolis, including grants like $2.5 million to the Eiteljorg Museum

Education and Youth

  • Marion County K-12 Schools Initiatives: Up to $600 million allocated for initiatives to improve academic achievement in Marion County public and private schools; 79 implementation grants totaling nearly $85.7 million approved
  • Indiana Youth Programs on Campus (IYPC): Grants to 35 Indiana colleges and universities to create or expand on-campus programs for youth ages 5-18
  • Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana (SYPI): Competitive grants to advance academic, physical, and social development of Indiana youth ages 5-18
  • Capital Project Initiative for Residential Youth Camps: Up to $166 million three-phase initiative
  • Character Development Through Youth Programs: $10 million each to six national youth-serving organizations
  • Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program: Full-tuition scholarships for Indiana high school students, administered through county community foundations
  • Higher Education: Major grants to Indiana institutions ($100 million to Purdue University, over $300 million to 13 Indiana colleges); out-of-state higher education grants limited to invitational programs

Religion (National Scope)

  • Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative: More than $200 million to 58 theological schools in the U.S. and Canada to strengthen educational and financial capacities for preparing pastoral leaders; third-phase grants range from $4,999,720 to $7,950,555
  • Clergy Renewal Programs: Grants to 233 congregations in 2025 for pastoral renewal
  • Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative: Grants to 91 organizations to help Christian congregations engage children in worship and prayer
  • Rural and Small-Town Church Vitality: Grants to 20 organizations across the U.S. to enhance ministry vitality in rural areas and small towns (e.g., $5 million to Samford University)
  • Theological School Collaborations: Support for innovative theological education partnerships
  • Educating Character Initiative: Over $30 million to Wake Forest University to expand character education at colleges and universities

Priority Areas

Community Development (Indiana Focus):

  • Human and social needs
  • City and neighborhood revitalization
  • Low- and moderate-income housing
  • Arts and culture in Indianapolis
  • Community foundation capacity building
  • Economic self-sufficiency for residents affected by poverty
  • Racial equity and advancing prosperity for African American communities

Education and Youth:

  • Early childhood through higher education
  • K-12 academic achievement and post-high school success
  • Youth development programs (ages 5-18)
  • Character education
  • Workforce readiness
  • Residential youth camps
  • Educational innovation and technology (including AI implications)

Religion (National):

  • Pastoral leadership development
  • Congregational vitality and sustainability
  • Theological education
  • Christian worship and spiritual formation
  • Rural and small-town church support
  • Intergenerational religious engagement

What They Don't Fund

Individual Support:

  • Loans or cash grants to private individuals
  • Personal or business-related financial assistance
  • Discharge of preexisting debts for individuals or organizations

Media and Communications:

  • Mass media projects (except those falling squarely within specific program areas)

Endowments:

  • Endowment or endowed chairs (except in special initiatives or unusual cases involving longstanding grantees)

Geographic Restrictions:

  • Public libraries outside Marion County, Indiana (except special initiatives)
  • Organizations outside Indianapolis seeking support for: building campaigns, elementary/secondary education, arts and culture, human services, general operations, or neighborhood development (except as part of special initiatives)
  • Higher education institutions outside Indiana (except invitational programs)

International:

  • International purposes (limited to a few U.S.-based economics and public policy programs affecting North and South American countries)

Other Exclusions:

  • Proposals merely to develop new course outlines or lesson units (lacking sufficient imagination, creativity, or thought)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Daniel P. Carmichael
  • Clarence Crain
  • Craig Dykstra (emeritus)
  • William G. Enright
  • Charles E. Golden
  • John C. Lechleiter
  • Eli Lilly II (emeritus)
  • Rebecca E. Lilly
  • Mary K. Lisher
  • David N. Shane
  • John D. Witvliet

Executive Leadership:

  • N. Clay Robbins, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
  • Jennett M. Hill, President

Vice Presidents:

  • Ben W. Blanton, Secretary & General Counsel
  • Peter A. Buck, Investments & Grants Administration
  • Christopher L. Coble, Religion
  • Jaclyn P. Dowd, Evaluation & Special Initiatives
  • Ronni N. Kloth, Community Development
  • Ted Maple, Education
  • Diane M. Stenson, Treasurer

Leadership Perspectives:

N. Clay Robbins on Rebecca Lilly joining the board: "Her dedication to the aims and values of her ancestors who founded the Endowment and her significant experience with the programs and investments of philanthropic and other nonprofit organizations will be of great value to the Endowment and enhance its many charitable endeavors."

Founder Eli Lilly's guiding philosophy: "I hope we could help improve the character of the American people" and "Owing everything we are to the past and present generations, each of us must be willing to give unstinted help to others."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Initial Contact: Organizations that believe they fit within the guidelines should send a preliminary letter of no more than two pages. The letter should include:

  • Information about your organization
  • Description of the project
  • The issue or need being addressed
  • The amount of support needed

Submission Method:

  • Preliminary letters must be sent by regular or overnight mail ONLY
  • Do NOT submit via email
  • Send to: 2801 N. Meridian St., P.O. Box 88068, Indianapolis, IN 46208-0068

Response Process:

  • The Endowment responds in writing to all preliminary inquiries
  • If warranted for further consideration, the foundation may request a full proposal
  • The foundation receives thousands of inquiries annually but can only fund a small percentage

Note on Invitational Programs: Many initiatives are offered on an invitational basis, particularly for out-of-state institutions and specialized programs.

Decision Timeline

Review Process:

  • Generally takes 3-6 months from submission to decision
  • The approval process flows through multiple levels:
    1. Review by a program director
    2. Review by the appropriate division
    3. Review by the Endowment's officers
    4. Final approval by the Board of Directors

Board Schedule:

  • The Board of Directors considers grants in March, June, September, November, and December

Notification:

  • All grantseekers receive written notification of decisions

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation notes that while it receives thousands of worthwhile inquiries each year, it can only fund a small percentage of grant proposals received. The highly competitive nature of funding is offset by the foundation's substantial giving capacity ($2.4 billion in 2024).

Reapplication Policy

The Endowment's public materials do not specify explicit restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations are advised to contact the program office directly at 317-924-5471 for guidance on reapplication timing and policies.

Application Success Factors

Proposal Quality Criteria: According to the foundation's guidelines, proposals are judged on:

  • Substance: Meaningful, well-conceived projects that align with foundation priorities
  • Clarity: Clearly written and well-organized proposals
  • Originality: Innovative approaches that reflect imagination and creative thought
  • Feasibility: Realistic timelines, budgets, and implementation plans based on sufficient planning and research

What Makes Strong Proposals:

  • Demonstrate how the project will achieve meaningful impact or renewal
  • Include growth opportunities that are intellectually stimulating or personally challenging (for renewal programs)
  • Show evidence of thorough planning and research
  • Avoid generic approaches like simply developing new course outlines without sufficient creativity
  • Illustrate alignment with the foundation's three core program areas
  • For Indiana applicants: demonstrate impact on Indianapolis or Indiana communities
  • For religion programs: show connection to strengthening Christian congregations and pastoral leadership

Geographic Alignment:

  • Strongest alignment: Indiana-based organizations, especially those serving Indianapolis and Marion County
  • National opportunities: Religion-focused projects, invitational higher education programs, select youth-serving national organizations
  • Limited opportunities: Organizations outside Indiana seeking community development or K-12 education funding (unless part of special invitational initiatives)

Recent Funded Projects as Examples:

  • National Park Foundation: $100 million for nationwide park site needs
  • Purdue University: $100 million for Purdue Computes initiative and Daniels School of Business
  • Wake Forest University: $30+ million for character education expansion
  • 58 theological schools: $200+ million for pastoral leadership preparation
  • 91 Christian congregations: Grants for children's worship and prayer programs
  • 35 Indiana colleges: Youth programs on campus for ages 5-18
  • National Urban League: $100 million for Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative

Support Resources: The foundation provides helpful resources for applicants, including:

  • Advice from past grant recipients
  • Tips for high-quality proposals
  • Multimedia interviews and guidance materials (particularly for renewal programs)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic strategy is critical: Unless applying for religion programs or invitational initiatives, organizations must have strong Indiana connections, particularly to Indianapolis and Marion County. Community development and K-12 education grants outside Indiana are generally declined.

  • Align with one of three pillars: Ensure your project clearly fits within Community Development, Education and Youth, or Religion. Multi-faceted projects should demonstrate primary alignment with foundation priorities in your focal area.

  • Start with a concise two-page letter: The foundation's preliminary letter requirement allows you to make your case succinctly before investing in a full proposal. Focus on substance, clarity, originality, and feasibility in these initial two pages.

  • Plan for a long timeline: With 3-6 month review processes and board meetings only 5 times per year, build sufficient lead time into your funding strategy. Consider the board meeting schedule when timing your submission.

  • Demonstrate creativity and innovation: Generic or formulaic proposals are explicitly discouraged. Show imagination, original thinking, and meaningful impact potential. Avoid proposals that merely develop standard materials without creative approaches.

  • Relationship building matters for Indiana organizations: While the foundation accepts unsolicited preliminary letters, Indiana-based organizations should consider attending foundation-sponsored convenings and staying informed about major initiatives like GIFT, which offer opportunities for collaborative funding and capacity building.

  • Scale matches capacity: The foundation makes grants ranging from $50,000 planning grants to $100 million transformational initiatives. Your request should match both your organization's capacity and the project's genuine scope and impact potential.

References

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