Lilly Endowment’s Marion County K-12 Private Schools Initiative aims to help private schools initiate, enhance or expand compelling programs and projects that show promise to improve their students’ academic achievement and the prospects for post-secondary success.
The Endowment has allocated up to $150 million for this multi-year initiative. Eligible private schools in Marion County were able to request funding through a three-phase process.
- Phase 1 Planning Grants: Planning grants of up to $50,000 helped schools to 1) envision and develop plans that align with the initiative’s aim by addressing one or more of the priorities listed in the Request for Proposals, 2) prepare a proposal for a Phase 2 implementation grant, and 3) if desired, prepare a concept paper for a competitive Phase 3 grant.
- Phase 2 Implementation Grants: Implementation grants will help to initiate, enhance or expand compelling programs or projects designed to help improve their students’ academic achievement or prospects for post-secondary success. Implementation grants were awarded in May 2025.
- Phase 3 Competitive Grants: The Endowment has allocated up to $130 million for programs or projects that are likely to have significant impact on students’ academic achievement or their prospects for post-secondary success. Competitive grants will be announced at the end of 2025.
News Release: View implementation grants news release and recipient list here.