Serving Neighbors Initiative

Lilly Endowment is pleased to announce its Serving Neighbors Through Congregational Collaborations Initiative (Serving Neighbors). This initiative has two complementary aims: 1) to enhance the quality of life of individuals and families by encouraging stronger collaborations in local communities between Christian congregations and charitable organizations (e.g., human and social service agencies, youth-serving organizations, arts and cultural organizations, neighborhood associations, and parks and outdoor recreational organizations, among others) that utilize their respective strengths to jointly undertake efforts that address community needs and priorities and 2) to deepen the faith of individuals and enhance the vitality of congregations by providing opportunities for Christians to practice their faith through acts of love and care for their neighbors.

Through this initiative, the Endowment anticipates awarding grants of up to $5 million each to up to 60 charitable organizations to develop and implement programs that advance the aims stated above and the four objectives outlined in the Request for Concept Papers.

Funding Opportunities

Lilly Endowment will conduct Serving Neighbors through a two-stage process.

Stage 1 Concept Papers: Interested charitable organizations are able to submit concept papers that provide initial descriptions of potential Serving Neighbors programs that would advance the initiative’s aims and objectives. The Endowment anticipates awarding planning grants of up to $50,000 each in March 2027.
Stage 2 Implementation Grant Proposals: Invited organizations are able to submit proposals for implementation grants of up to $5 million each that may be used for up to a four-year period to execute programs designed during the planning stage of the initiative.

Information Sessions

The Endowment will host virtual information sessions to discuss the aims and objectives of the initiative and to review the submission guidelines. Organizations wishing to participate in one of these sessions, should register via one of the links below.

Submission Guidance

Interested charitable organizations must submit concept papers along with the materials outlined in the Request for Concept Papers as a single PDF through the Serving Neighbors Concept Paper Submission Form below by January 19, 2027.

Serving Neighbors Concept Paper Submission Form

Organization's Legal Name*
Organization's Common Name (as it is presented on website and other public-facing materials, if different from above)
EIN/Federal Tax Identification Number*
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Contact Name*
Title First Last
Other Title
Job Title*
Email*
Phone*
Amount Requested*
My PDF contains the following required documents:*
- Official Request Letter (one page)
- Concept Paper Information Form
- Concept Paper Narrative (no more than five pages)
- Planning Grant Budget (up to $50,000)
- Letters of Support (optional) - (up to three)
- Copy of Organization's Current Year Operating Budget
- Copy of Organization's Annual Audited Financial Statements
- Exempt Status and Charity/Foundation Status Information Form
- Copy of IRS Exempt Status Determination Letter
Combine these documents into one PDF to be uploaded and submit.
Concept Paper and Supporting Documents*
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 256 MB.
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Initiative Resources

Request for Concept Papers Concept Paper Information Form Guide to Budget Preparation Exempt Status and Charity/Foundation Status Information form Sample of IRS Exempt Status Determination Letter

All Open Initiatives