Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Name	Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Established	2012
Type	Private/public research school
Parent	Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
City	Indianapolis
State	Indiana
Country	United States
Dean	Dean

Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is a dedicated academic unit focused on the study and practice of philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and civil society, located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school offers undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs and hosts research initiatives that intersect with charitable foundations, social movements, and public policy. It engages with a wide network of philanthropic organizations, global institutions, and civic partners to advance evidence-based approaches to giving, fundraising, and nonprofit management.

History

The school's origins trace to research and teaching initiatives at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and Indiana University Bloomington that predated its formal founding, linked to donors such as the Lilly Endowment and civic supporters in Indianapolis. Early milestones included collaborations with the Urban Institute, study exchanges with the Johns Hopkins University and advisory contributions to the Carter Center, while faculty engaged in comparative work with scholars associated with Oxford University and Harvard University. Major fundraising and strategic planning drew input from leaders of the Ford Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and regional philanthropic networks, culminating in the establishment of an independent school in 2012. Since then, the school has expanded programs, opened new facilities in downtown Indianapolis, and forged partnerships with international actors including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the United Nations.

Organization and administration

The school operates as an academic unit within Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and is governed by a dean and advisory boards comprising leaders from the Lilly Endowment, Bank of America philanthropy officers, and executives from foundations such as the Rockefeller Foundation and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Administrative structure includes departments and program offices aligned with graduate education, undergraduate studies, executive education, research administration, and development, with liaisons to the State of Indiana and municipal officials from Marion County, Indiana. Governance practices draw upon models used by peer institutions like Georgetown University and Columbia University centers for civic engagement, and the school coordinates accreditation and compliance with higher-education authorities connected to the Association of American Universities network.

Academic programs

The school offers degree pathways including a Master of Philanthropic Studies, Master of Public Affairs-linked options with Syracuse University-style collaborations, doctoral studies modeled after programs at University of Michigan, and undergraduate certificates. Coursework covers fundraising and development taught alongside applied internships with entities such as the United Way, and elective seminars incorporating case studies from the Rotary International, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and American Red Cross. Executive education programs provide tailored training for leaders from institutions like the Annenberg Foundation and The Nature Conservancy, and joint degrees and cross-listed courses connect to programs at Indiana University Maurer School of Law and business courses with affinities to curricula seen at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Research and centers

Research centers at the school host comparative studies on charitable giving, nonprofit finance, and philanthropic history; projects have engaged with datasets maintained by the National Center for Charitable Statistics, evaluations commissioned by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and impact assessments referencing methodologies used by the RAND Corporation and the National Bureau of Economic Research. The school houses centers focused on global philanthropy, racial equity in giving, and nonprofit metrics, collaborating with scholarly networks including researchers from Stanford University, Yale University, and University College London. Symposia and working groups convene practitioners from the Council on Foundations, the Charitable Aid Foundation, and regional community foundations to translate research into policy recommendations for entities such as the European Commission and multilateral organizations like the World Bank.

Rankings and impact

Evaluations of the school reference recognition in rankings produced by organizations akin to the Chronicle of Higher Education and citations in policy briefs from institutions such as the Brookings Institution and the Aspen Institute. Impact metrics include alumni leadership roles at major foundations like the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, board positions within the National Philanthropic Trust, and contributions to legislative testimony before committees of the United States Congress. The school’s research outputs have been cited in global philanthropic reports by the OECD and used by municipal governments in cities like New York City and Chicago to inform public-private partnership strategies.

Partnerships and outreach

Outreach activities include partnerships with local nonprofits such as the Eskenazi Health Foundation and collaborations with national networks including the Independent Sector and the National Council of Nonprofits. International engagement has included workshops with practitioners from South Africa, India, and Brazil, and participation in dialogues hosted by the United Nations Development Programme and the European Foundation Centre. The school operates public lecture series that have featured speakers associated with Clinton Foundation, TED, and major philanthropic donors, and it runs training programs for professional fundraisers aligned with standards promoted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Notable people

Faculty and affiliates have included scholars and practitioners with prior roles at the Lilly Endowment, the Ford Foundation, Harvard Kennedy School, Columbia University’s nonprofit initiatives, and leadership experience at organizations such as the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Alumni hold positions across philanthropic networks including foundation presidencies, nonprofit executive directorships, and advisory roles in municipal offices in cities like Indianapolis and Washington, D.C.. The school’s advisory boards have featured executives formerly associated with the Rockefeller Foundation, JP Morgan Chase’s philanthropic arm, and leaders from the Council on Foundations.

Category:Philanthropy schools in the United States