Lilly Endowment Inc
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private philanthropic foundation based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr., the Endowment was established through gifts of stock in Eli Lilly and Company, the family pharmaceutical business. While these stock gifts remain the financial foundation of the organization, the Endowment operates as a separate entity from the company, with its own distinct governing board, staff, and location.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$79.9B
+28.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3B
+48.0% YoY
Grant Count
1,808
-8.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.3M
+62.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lilly Endowment Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.7B for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
In keeping with the founders' wishes, Lilly Endowment supports three principal causes:
- Community Development
- Education
- Religion
The Endowment affords special emphasis to projects that benefit young people and that strengthen financial self-sufficiency in the nonprofit, charitable sector. The organization also prioritizes initiatives that foster philanthropic leadership among nonprofit institutions and promote the causes of philanthropy and volunteerism.
Grantmaking
Recent grantmaking has included support for:
Grant Range
$49,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Lilly Endowment maintains a special commitment to its founders' hometown of Indianapolis and home state of Indiana. The organization gives priority to efforts that improve the quality of life in Indianapolis and throughout Indiana, particularly for grants in community development and elementary/secondary education.
For higher education, the Endowment's interest extends to Indiana colleges and universities, and nationwide to historically black colleges and universities, Native American colleges, and programs that increase access to college for Latino Americans. Grants to institutions of higher learning outside Indiana are restricted to specific circumstances.
The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, with particular emphasis in the field of religion.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $79.9 billion
- Total Revenue: $3.09 billion
- Total Expenses: $2.33 billion
- Net Income: $761.6 million
- Net Assets: $79.49 billion
- Charitable Disbursements: $2.28 billion (98.0% of total expenses)
Revenue Sources (2024):
- Sales of Assets: $2.37 billion (76.6%)
- Dividends: $575.8 million (18.6%)
- Interest Revenue: $146.9 million (4.8%)
- Contributions Received: $400,054 (0.0%)
Historical Asset Growth: The organization has experienced significant asset growth, with total assets increasing from $7.3 billion in 2012 to $79.9 billion in 2024.
Tax Status: Lilly Endowment has maintained 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status since July 1938 (EIN: 35-0868122). Donations to the organization are tax deductible.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $79,907,328,537 | $62,180,012,552 | $40,798,643,857 |
| Revenue | $3,090,184,045 | $2,061,897,636 | $1,915,656,584 |
| Expenses | $2,328,546,370 | $1,580,523,182 | $1,372,463,741 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,281,221,212 | $1,548,655,658 | $1,342,188,877 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,076,385,712 | $2,048,149,255 | $1,898,245,317 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,740,968,054 | $2,247,414,647 | $1,607,157,925 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Lilly Endowment Inc
Exploring Christian Practices Initiative Grant
LILLY ENDOWMENT INC
Amount
Up to US $2,500,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Indiana Clergy Renewal Program Grant
LILLY ENDOWMENT INC
Amount
Up to US $60,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Lilly Endowment: Community Development Grant
LILLY ENDOWMENT INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include 16 Tech Community Corporation Inc ($8,500,000), American National Red Cross ($5,000,000), American Indian College Fund ($4,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 100 BLACK MEN OF AMERICA INC ATLANTA, GA | MIDWEST DISTRICT SUMMIT IN INDPLS | $7,500 |
| 100 BLACK MEN OF INDIANAPOLIS INC INDIANAPOLIS, IN | EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFT(S) | $5,700 |
| 100 BLACK MEN OF INDIANAPOLIS INC INDIANAPOLIS, IN | FUNDRAISING CAPACITY | $50,000 |
| 100 BLACK MEN OF INDIANAPOLIS INC INDIANAPOLIS, IN | PROGRAM & GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $255,000 |
| 100 BLACK MEN OF INDIANAPOLIS INC INDIANAPOLIS, IN | SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM | $32,000 |
| 100 BLACK MEN OF INDIANAPOLIS INC INDIANAPOLIS, IN | SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM | $2,700 |
| 16 TECH COMMUNITY CORPORATION INC INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $8,500,000 |
| 24 GROUP INC INDIANAPOLIS, IN | EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFT(S) | $200 |
| A G GASTON BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB INC BIRMINGHAM, AL | EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFT(S) | $10,000 |
| ABC OF THE ROCHESTER GENESEE REGION ROCHESTER, NY | THRIVING CONGREGATIONS INITIATIVE | $1,250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- N. Clay Robbins, Chairman
- Jennett M. Hill, President
- Daniel P. Carmichael
- Clarence Crain
- Craig Dykstra (emeritus)
- William G. Enright
- Charles E. Golden
- John Lechleiter
- Eli Lilly II (emeritus)
- Rebecca E. Lilly
- Mary K. Lisher
- David N. Shane
- John D. Witvliet
Officers:
- N. Clay Robbins, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
- Jennett M. Hill, President
- Ben W. Blanton, Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel
- Peter A. Buck, Vice President for Investments & Grants Administration
- Christopher L. Coble, Vice President for Religion
- Jaclyn P. Dowd, Vice President for Evaluation & Special Initiatives
- Ronni N. Kloth, Vice President for Community Development
- Ted Maple, Vice President for Education
- Diane M. Stenson, Vice President & Treasurer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| N CLAY ROBBINS | CHAIRMAN&CEO | 40 | $1,158,000 |
| JENNETT M HILL | PRESIDENT | 40 | $800,000 |
| BEN W BLANTON | VP SECY & GC | 40 | $500,000 |
| PETER A BUCK | VP INVEST&GM | 40 | $476,000 |
| CHRISTOPHER L COBLE | VP RELIGION | 40 | $488,000 |
| JACLYN P DOWD | VPEVALUATION | 40 | $320,000 |
| RONNI N KLOTH | VP CMTY DEV | 40 | $450,000 |
| TED MAPLE | VP EDUCATION | 40 | $450,000 |
| DIANE M STENSON | VP&TREASURER | 40 | $488,000 |
| DANIEL P CARMICHAEL | DIRECTOR | 5.5 | $55,700 |
| CLARENCE CRAIN | DIRECTOR | 4 | $44,500 |
| CRAIG DYKSTRA PART YEAR | DIRECTOR | 4 | $11,125 |
| WILLIAM G ENRIGHT | DIRECTOR | 4 | $44,500 |
| CHARLES E GOLDEN | DIRECTOR | 6.5 | $60,500 |
| JOHN C LECHLEITER | DIRECTOR | 6 | $52,500 |
| ELI LILLY II PART YEAR | DIRECTOR | 4 | $22,250 |
| REBECCA E LILLY PART YEAR | DIRECTOR | 4 | $22,250 |
| MARY K LISHER | DIRECTOR | 6.5 | $60,500 |
| DAVID N SHANE | DIRECTOR | 4 | $44,500 |
| JOHN D WITVLIET PART YEAR | DIRECTOR | 4 | $3,708 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant announcements demonstrate the Endowment's active grantmaking across its focus areas:
Grants to theological schools to fund major collaborations preparing and supporting pastors
Lilly Endowment grants to theological schools will fund ...Support for national organizations strengthening capacity to serve U.S. military members, veterans, and their families
Grants will help strengthen the capacity of national organizations that serve members of the U.S. military and veterans and their families - Lilly EndowmentCapital project grants to Indiana residential youth camps
Grants will help Indiana residential youth camps improve experiences through capital projects - Lilly EndowmentA second round of grants to Marion County K-12 schools to strengthen academic achievement and post-secondary success
Lilly Endowment grants to theological schools will fund ...A $100 million grant to the United Negro College Fund supporting their capital campaign
Grants will help strengthen the capacity of national organizations that serve members of the U.S. military and veterans and their families - Lilly EndowmentFrequently Asked Questions
What does Lilly Endowment Inc fund?
In keeping with the founders' wishes, Lilly Endowment supports three principal causes: • **Community Development** • **Education** • **Religion** The Endowment affords special emphasis to projects that benefit young people and that strengthen financial self-sufficiency in the nonprofit, charitable sector. The organization also prioritizes initiatives that foster philanthropic leadership among nonprofit institutions and promote the causes of philanthropy and volunteerism.
How do I apply for a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc?
**Grant Activity & Scale:** • Approximately 1,800 grants awarded in recent years • Median grant size: $49,000 • Grant range: $50 to $138 million • The organization is possibly open to applications and likely staffed with dedicated personnel **Recent Grant Approvals:** Recent grantmaking has included support for: • Theological schools funding major collaborations to prepare and support pastors • National organizations serving members of the U.S. military, veterans, and their families • Indiana r…
Where does Lilly Endowment Inc make grants?
Lilly Endowment maintains a special commitment to its founders' hometown of Indianapolis and home state of Indiana. The organization gives priority to efforts that improve the quality of life in Indianapolis and throughout Indiana, particularly for grants in community development and elementary/secondary education. For higher education, the Endowment's interest extends to Indiana colleges and universities, and nationwide to historically black colleges and universities, Native American colleges,…
What size grants does Lilly Endowment Inc award?
In 2024, Lilly Endowment Inc awarded 1,808 grants totaling $2.3B — an average of about $1.3M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lilly Endowment Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lilly Endowment Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.7B on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Lilly Endowment Inc's EIN?
Lilly Endowment Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-0868122. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lilly Endowment Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated June 2026.
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