The Endowment seeks to be aware of additional projects and programs that reflect our founders’ values and interests and add significantly to the nation’s quality of life. We fund on an invitational basis disaster relief and recovery efforts and activities that promote promising practices in philanthropy. To a limited extent, we also provide funding for certain programs and projects that support and recognize U.S. veterans, active service members and their families.
Philanthropy
We support research on philanthropic trends, impacts and efforts to promote good governance and effectiveness in nonprofit organizations and increased volunteering and generosity. Below are examples of some of the key organizations that are important to the charitable sector that we support.
Council on Foundations is a nonprofit leadership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations founded in 1949. It provides the opportunity, leadership and tools needed by philanthropic organizations to expand, enhance and sustain their ability to advance the common good.LEARN MORE
Candid brings together the expertise of Foundation Center, a leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide, and GuideStar, a leading source of information about U.S. nonprofits, to advance knowledge of philanthropy.LEARN MORE
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University is the world’s first school dedicated solely to the study and teaching of philanthropy. Established in 2013, it is named for the Lilly family, which included founders of Lilly Endowment, in honor of the family’s generosity and leadership. The school is rooted in the creation of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, which was founded at IUPUI in 1987.LEARN MORE
Independent Sector seeks to advance the common good by leading, strengthening and mobilizing the nonprofit and philanthropic sector. Approximately 600 major foundations, corporations and nonprofit organizations are members, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable groups across the country. Lilly Endowment was a founding member of Independent Sector when it was formed in 1980.Learn More
Disaster Relief and Recovery
We believe it is important to alleviate the suffering of people in times of urgent need and have a long history of providing support for key organizations that engage in relief and recovery efforts relating to a range of disasters throughout the country. Below are examples of organizations we support relating to these causes:
American Red Cross plays an essential role in helping people who suffer from disasters by providing them with emergency blood supplies, food and shelter, and assisting them in rebuilding their lives. We support their work in Indiana and at the national level.LEARN MORE
The Salvation Army takes a holistic approach to helping those most affected by disasters. Assistance ranges from providing basic shelter and food to grief counseling. The Salvation Army is committed to a ministry of family and community healing and offers its support to all regardless of religious affiliation. We support their work in Indiana and at the national level.LEARN MORE
In 2022 the Endowment awarded grants of $40 million each to American Red Cross and The Salvation Army to bolster these organizations’ capacity – and by extension, the entire sector’s capacity – to assist disaster victims and communities amid an ominous reality of more frequent, severe natural disasters.
Support for Veterans, Military Service Members and Their Families
We support select organizations committed to honoring and supporting those who have served and are now serving in the U.S. military by improving the lives of service members, veterans and their families. Below are examples of grantmaking in this area.
Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) at Purdue University works closely with collaborators to improve the lives of service members and their families in Indiana and across the nation. Through research and outreach, MFRI helps military and public policy leaders and communities better support military service members, veterans and their families.LEARN MORE
Indiana National Guard Relief Fund provides financial grants to Indiana service members and their families encountering difficult situations due to the mobilization of service members. It also provides programs that help mitigate the increased risk of service member suicides and support youth and families grieving the loss of a service member.LEARN MORE
Operation: Job Ready Veterans supports veterans by providing career development and employment services. It also assists veterans transition to civilian life.LEARN MORE
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation pursues robust research and advocacy efforts to understand the unique needs of military caregivers and families and promote their well-being.LEARN MORE
United Service Organizations strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country throughout their periods of service with a broad range of morale-boosting services, programs, entertainment and technology.