In community development, we support efforts that seek to enhance the quality of life for everyone in Indianapolis and Indiana. This support is rooted in our founders’ commitment to their hometown. “All of us Lillys put together have never done as much for Indianapolis as Indianapolis has done for us,” Eli Lilly wrote in 1974. That commitment has extended across the state through grantmaking that supports Indiana’s community foundations and United Ways. We also provide funding for compelling causes throughout the country that are consistent with the values and interests of our founders.
In recent years, Lilly Endowment made a series of grants to support parks and greenspaces in Indianapolis, Indiana and throughout the country.
Funding includes: $100 million in 2024 to National Park Foundation for its $1 billion campaign; $50 million in 2024 to Indiana Department of Natural Resources for improvements at state parks; $25 million in 2022 for Connected Communities, led by CICF, to improve and expand pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure; $80 million in 2022 to support improvements at 42 parks throughout the Indianapolis Parks and Recreation system.
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