Lilly Endowment Inc
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr., and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. It supports community development, education and religion, with special emphasis on work benefiting young people and strengthening the charitable sector. The Endowment is separate from Eli Lilly and Company and gives priority to Indianapolis and Indiana while also supporting significant programs nationally, especially in religion.
Lilly Endowment Inc at a glance
In short: Lilly Endowment Inc gave $3.9B across 2,285 grants in 2025 (avg $1.7M), mostly in Indiana. 34% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,864,431,404
- +70.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2,285
- +26.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,691,217
- +35.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $105,894,116,636
- +32.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 34% first-time grantees (491 of 1,457, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (60% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lilly Endowment Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
For a Community Development request, the Endowment suggests sending a preliminary letter of no more than two pages describing the organization, proposed project, need and requested amount. It responds in writing to preliminary inquiries and may request a full proposal. The letter should be sent by regular or overnight mail; the Endowment says it does not accept unsolicited requests through its website’s Contact Us form. The Endowment generally does not fund loans or cash grants to private individuals, requests to discharge pre-existing debts, healthcare projects, or endowed chairs or endowments except in special initiatives or unusual cases involving longstanding grantees. Mass media projects are not typically funded and are considered only on an invitational basis when they fit within specific program areas. Public libraries outside Marion County, Indiana, are regularly declined except through special initiatives.
- Contact
Application contact: Program Office
Mailing address: Lilly Endowment Inc, 2801 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Phone: (317) 924-5471
Website: https://lillyendowment.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
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
Deadline not published
Indiana Clergy Renewal Program Grant
Lilly Endowment Inc
Amount
Up to US $60,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Lilly Endowment: Community Development Grant
Lilly Endowment Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Lilly Endowment Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Indiana Community Develpmntprojects ($400.0M). Together the top 10 received $1.2B.
Grant Size Distribution
9,209 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4,415 grants of 9,209 (48%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Endowment prioritizes Indianapolis and Indiana, particularly for community development and elementary and secondary education. Its 2025 filing shows that 60% of grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana, followed by 5% to the District of Columbia, 4% each to Illinois and California, and 3% to New York.
The Endowment also makes substantial contributions to efforts of national significance, especially in religion. Its website describes national support outside religion as generally invitation-based, including certain higher education programs, philanthropic infrastructure, research and education related to giving and volunteering, and disaster relief and recovery.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2,285 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Lilly Endowment Inc open to new grantees?
34%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 491 of 1,457 grantees (34%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2.4M; repeat grants $2.7M. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $277K repeat.
- 52% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 192% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $728.2M (2021) to $3.9B (2025). In 2025 it made 2,285 grants totaling $3.9B.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Community Develpmntprojects Indianapolis, IN | Statewide Community Parks Initiative | $400,000,000 |
| Indiana Lifelong Learning Projects Indianapolis, IN | Indiana K-12 Schools Initiative | $400,000,000 |
| Feeding America Chicago, IL | Capacity Building for Natl Network | $75,000,000 |
| National Geographic Society Washington, DC | Archives Preservation | $57,036,726 |
| University of Notre Dame Du Lac Notre Dame, IN | Delta Network: an Ai Project | $50,868,725 |
| Indiana Youth Institute Inc Indianapolis, IN | Strengthening Youth Programs in IN | $48,000,000 |
| Cicp Foundation Inc Indianapolis, IN | Cicp Charitble Educl & Scientfc Prog | $44,000,000 |
| Duke University Durham, NC | Forum for Congregational Life Proj | $40,000,000 |
| Perry Township Schools Indianapolis, IN | Marion County K-12 Education Init | $40,000,000 |
| State of in-Department of Educatn Indianapolis, IN | K-12 Education Programs and Projects | $40,000,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Lilly Endowment Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $105,894,116,636 | $5,125,589,390 | $3,963,829,265 | $3,864,431,404 | 2,285 | $3,888,048,444 | $5,105,940,062 | $3,867,799,023 |
| 2024 | $79,907,328,537 | $3,090,184,045 | $2,328,546,370 | $2,260,591,222 | 1,808 | $2,281,221,212 | $3,076,385,712 | $3,740,968,054 |
| 2023 | $62,180,012,552 | $2,061,897,636 | $1,580,523,182 | $1,527,002,818 | 1,983 | $1,548,655,658 | $2,048,149,255 | $2,247,414,647 |
| 2022 | $40,798,643,857 | $1,915,656,584 | $1,372,463,741 | $1,324,796,496 | 1,474 | $1,342,188,877 | $1,898,245,317 | $1,607,157,925 |
| 2021 | $32,760,446,092 | $1,327,229,144 | $763,728,694 | $728,216,000 | 1,659 | $744,448,075 | $1,312,507,242 | $1,214,647,434 |
| 2020 | $21,002,095,929 | $929,189,401 | $822,110,444 | $789,586,408 | 1,830 | — | $915,596,301 | $822,223,387 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lilly Endowment Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.9B for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Endowment’s stated purpose is to support community development, education and religion, with special emphasis on projects benefiting young people and strengthening the charitable sector. Its website describes its approach as helping individuals reach their potential, families thrive and communities flourish, while valuing both tradition and new approaches to changing needs.
Its community development work includes human and social needs, neighborhood revitalization, housing, and arts and culture in Indianapolis, as well as statewide initiatives supporting community foundations and United Ways. Education and youth work focuses primarily on Indiana, including early childhood and K–12 education, preparation for education and careers beyond high school, higher education, and youth development. In religion, the Endowment seeks to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, particularly by supporting congregations and Christian leadership.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its grantmaking. Indiana Lifelong Learning Projects describes its work as coordinating efforts to advance education and lifelong learning in Indiana, including workforce development and training. Indiana Youth Institute says its mission is to improve the lives of Indiana children by strengthening and connecting people, organizations and communities focused on kids and youth. Feeding America describes its mission as advancing change by ensuring equitable access to nutritious food. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Endowment’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Endowment reported 2,285 grants totaling $3,864,431,404. Grant amounts ranged from $50 to $400 million, with a median of $100,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $400 million each to Indiana Community Development Projects for a statewide community parks initiative and Indiana Lifelong Learning Projects for an Indiana K–12 schools initiative. Other large grants included $75 million to Feeding America for capacity building for its national network; $57,036,726 to the National Geographic Society for archives preservation; $50,868,725 to the University of Notre Dame for a project identified as the Delta Network: An AI Project; and $48 million to Indiana Youth Institute for strengthening youth programs in Indiana. The filing also reported $40 million to Duke University for a forum for congregational life project and $35 million to Wake Forest University for an educating character initiative.
The Endowment’s website lists open initiatives for eligible organizations, including initiatives supporting congregational collaborations and strengthening Christian campus ministries and chaplaincies. Eligibility requirements vary by initiative and should be checked on its specific page.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists N. Clay Robbins as Chairman and CEO and Jennett M. Hill as President. Other listed officers and directors include Ben W. Blanton, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel; Peter A. Buck, Vice President for Investments and Grants Administration; Christopher L. Coble, Vice President for Religion; Jaclyn P. Dowd, Vice President for Evaluation; Ronni N. Kloth, Vice President for Community Development; Ted Maple, Vice President for Education; Diane M. Stenson, Vice President and Treasurer; and Daniel P. Carmichael, Director.
Lilly Endowment Inc is led by N. Clay Robbins, Chairman & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 18 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
N. Clay Robbins
Chairman & CEO
Chairpresceo → Chairman & CEO, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$938K (2020) → $1.2M (2025)
Jennett M. Hill
President
Director → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$44K (2020) → $875K (2025)
Charles E. Golden
Director
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$60K (2020) → $53K (2025)
Daniel P. Carmichael
Director
On filings since 2020
4.5 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $48K (2025)
David N. Shane
Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$44K (2020) → $45K (2025)
John C. Lechleiter
Director
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$56K (2020) → $53K (2025)
Mary K. Lisher
Director
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$60K (2020) → $53K (2025)
William G. Enright
Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$44K (2020) → $45K (2025)
Clarence Crain
Director
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
$32K (2021) → $45K (2025)
John D. Witvliet
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
$45K (2025)
Rebecca E. Lilly
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
$45K (2025)
Ben W. Blanton
Vice President Secretary
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$390K (2020) → $525K (2025)
Christopher L. Coble
Vice President Religion
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$421K (2020) → $508K (2025)
Diane M. Stenson
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$421K (2020) → $508K (2025)
Eli Lilly II
Director Emeritus
Director → Director Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2020
$44K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Jaclyn P. Dowd
Vpevaluation
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$259K (2020) → $332K (2025)
Peter A. Buck
Vice President Investment
Vice President Investmts → Vice President Investment, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$297K (2020) → $508K (2025)
Ronni N. Kloth
Vice President Cmty Development
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$259K (2020) → $480K (2025)
Ted Maple
Vice President Education
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$259K (2020) → $480K (2025)
Craig Dykstra Part Year
Director Emeritus
Director → Director Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2024
$11K (2024) → $0 (2025)
Former officers (6)
- Former: Eli Lilly Ii Part Year (2024) — Director
- Former: John D. Witvliet Part Year (2024) — Director
- Former: Rebecca E. Lilly Part Year (2024) — Director
- Former: Craig Dykstra (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Julie A. Siegler (2020–2022) — Vice President Administrator
- Former: Robert L. Smith (2020–2021) — Srvp
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $1.2M, to N Clay Robbins (CHAIRMAN&CEO). 18 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Lilly Endowment Inc
How much does Lilly Endowment Inc give each year?
Lilly Endowment Inc gave $3.9B across 2,285 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.3B across 1,808 grants.
What is Lilly Endowment Inc's typical grant size?
Lilly Endowment Inc's median grant in 2025 was $100,000, and its average grant was $1,691,217, across 2,285 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lilly Endowment Inc that year got $2.4M on average.
Where does Lilly Endowment Inc give grants?
Lilly Endowment Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Indianapolis, IN (899 grants), Washington, DC (57 grants), Chicago, IL (39 grants) and Evansville, IN (36 grants).
Does Lilly Endowment Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 2% of Lilly Endowment Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (44 of 2,285) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Employee Matching GIFT(S)" (461 grants), "Summer Youth Program" (256 grants) and "Indiana Community Fdn Init-Gift" (212 grants).
Who are Lilly Endowment Inc's largest grantees?
Lilly Endowment Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Indiana Community Develpmntprojects ($400,000,000), Indiana Lifelong Learning Projects ($400,000,000) and Feeding America ($75,000,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Lilly Endowment Inc?
Lilly Endowment Inc reported $105.9B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.9B in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.9B (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Lilly Endowment Inc fund?
The Endowment’s stated purpose is to support community development, education and religion, with special emphasis on projects benefiting young people and strengthening the charitable sector. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc?
For a Community Development request, the Endowment suggests sending a preliminary letter of no more than two pages describing the organization, proposed project, need and requested amount. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2025.
Does Lilly Endowment Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lilly Endowment Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lilly-endowment-inc-morg_8f32731b8ef0409c8aa4fea0e9bc9f74
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_350868122_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lilly Endowment Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lilly-endowment-inc-morg_8f32731b8ef0409c8aa4fea0e9bc9f74},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Lilly Endowment Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Lilly Endowment Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?