Dec. 1, 2025
Contact: Judith Cebula
317.916.7327 | communications@lei.org

Second round of grants will help Marion County K-12 schools strengthen students’ academic achievement and post-secondary success

 

INDIANAPOLIS – Lilly Endowment, Inc., is making a new round of grants totaling more than $460 million for K-12 public schools and private schools in Marion County, Ind. The grants, which can be used for up to five years, will support compelling large-scale, evidence-based efforts to improve students’ academic achievement and prospects for post-secondary success.

The Endowment has approved 34 grants, which range from $195,596 to $40 million, through the third and final phase of two separate, complementary initiatives–the Marion County K-12 Public Schools Initiative and Marion County K-12 Private Schools Initiative. Eligible school districts, charter schools, private schools and school networks could apply for grants under the competitive phase of the initiatives in funding amounts based on the number of students they serve. The grants follow an earlier non-competitive round of 79 grants totaling more than $86 million that the Endowment announced in May 2025.

The latest grants are supporting efforts at more than 150 Marion County schools that collectively serve more than 87,000 students. Lists of the new grants are available here.

Schools, school districts and school networks receiving funding through the latest phase of these initiatives will take a variety of approaches that show promise, based upon compelling and credible evidence, to help improve their students’ academic achievement and prospects for success after high school. Funded efforts include, among others:

• Strengthening college and career readiness through the establishment of evidence-based career exploration programming beginning in the early grades, including the creation of physical hubs for students to engage in focused career exploration while working on math, science, reading and critical-thinking skills relevant to career preparation; the expansion of co-curricular programming that enables career exploration and skill-building to prepare students for various careers; and increased opportunities for field trips, job shadowing and internships.
• Implementing programs that address non-academic barriers that affect academic success, which include expanding transportation services, improving breakfast and lunch services, expanding school-based healthcare services, and strengthening the capacity to refer students and families to non-academic supports that have evidence-based impact on student success.
• Strengthening support for students who are struggling to meet grade-level academic standards in subjects such as math and reading, including through evidence-based, high-dosage tutoring programs, the adoption of proven curricula, and the implementation of revised school-day schedules that enable more individualized and targeted support for students.
• Establishing modern, fully equipped performing arts centers that will enable the expansion of academic and enrichment programming that is proven to strengthen academic achievement and will enhance family engagement programs and community partner events.
• Upgrading science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning spaces to support hands-on, project-based learning and the adoption of evidence-based curricula that foster exploration of various STEM career pathways.
• Enhancing educator retention and effectiveness through the implementation of proven strategies, such as evidence-based professional development, instructional coaching, enhanced leadership programming, and supporting educators in the attainment of advanced credentials.

“The Endowment is pleased to support a wide variety of schools in Marion County in their efforts to help students succeed,” said Ted Maple, the Endowment’s vice president for education. “Schools engaged in thoughtful planning and proposed many compelling approaches to address challenges and opportunities under this highly competitive initiative. We believe those projects selected for funding will significantly benefit thousands of students across our city.”

The Endowment launched the Marion County K-12 Public Schools Initiative and Marion County K-12 Private Schools Initiative in August 2024. In 2025, the Indiana General Assembly through House Enrolled Act 1515 created the Indiana Local Education Alliance (ILEA), an advisory group that may make recommendations regarding the management and governance of Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and Indianapolis charter schools located within IPS boundaries. The Endowment will delay its decision on IPS’ phase 3 competitive grant proposal under the Marion County K-12 Public School Initiative until after these recommendations have been made and until there is clarity about the impact the recommendations may have on the district’s proposal.

About Lilly Endowment
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.