January 17, 2025
Contact: Judith Cebula
317.916.7327 | cebulaj@lei.org
Lilly Endowment awards renewal grants to 129 Indiana K-12 educators
Indianapolis – Lilly Endowment Inc. is supporting the renewal of Indiana K-12 educators through its 2025 Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program. The Endowment has approved grants of up to $15,000 each to 129 educators working in schools throughout the state. The grants will fund renewal projects the educators designed themselves, which the Endowment hopes will help restore their commitment to their profession, foster creativity and in turn enhance the educational experiences of their students.
The Endowment launched the Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program in 1987 to offer encouragement and support to Indiana’s K-12 educators working in public and private schools. This year’s fellows are classroom teachers, principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, counselors, social workers, and librarians and media specialists. They work in a variety of school settings, including traditional public schools, charter schools and private schools (both independent and religiously affiliated). These schools are located in cities and towns and in suburban and rural communities throughout Indiana. Learn about the 2025 fellows and their renewal plans here.
As in previous years, educators proposed a variety of renewal projects that reflect their longing to establish habits that nurture their physical and emotional wellbeing through exercise, meditation and journaling. Two educators will explore so-called Blue Zones in Japan and Greece, places defined by daily practices that promote wellness. Other projects involve intellectual interests, such as participating in an archeological dig and learning new languages. There are projects that include exploring nature and national parks in the United States and Canada, where educators will climb the highest peaks, seek solitude in the backcountry and experience the beauty and tranquility of islands and seashores.
Several projects are devoted to creative pursuits, such as plein air painting, leatherworking, Irish dancing, art history and architecture. Other fellows will travel to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America to discover new cultures or explore personal ancestries.
“K-12 schools throughout Indiana are fortunate to have talented educators who work tirelessly each day to help their students succeed,” said Ted Maple, the Endowment’s vice president for education. “This year’s fellows have designed compelling renewal projects. We believe their experiences will rejuvenate them and strengthen the exceptional contributions they make in their schools and communities.”
Including the 2025 fellows, more than 3,800 grants have been awarded to Indiana educators since the inception of the Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program. It is one of five programs the Endowment funds to support renewal experiences for people working in various professions in the nonprofit sector. This include renewal programs that are available for individuals working in human services and in the arts in central Indiana and for clergy who pastor churches in Indiana and across the nation. Learn more about these efforts here.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly 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, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. Although the Endowment maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana, it also funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion.