Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

What Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy does

The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is an academic unit of Indiana University Indianapolis, operating as the world's first school of philanthropy. It was founded in 1987 as the Center on Philanthropy, elevated to a school in 2012, and renamed in 2013 following what was reported as the largest single philanthropic naming gift in Indiana University history (from the Lilly Endowment). The school delivers degree programs — B.A., M.A., Ph.D., and a professional doctorate (PhilD, launched 2023) — plus certificate and executive education offerings targeted at the nonprofit, fundraising, and philanthropic sectors. Core sub-units include the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy, the Women's Philanthropy Institute, and The Fund Raising School, each functioning as a thematic research and convening center.

The school's intellectual product is research and curriculum, not commercial technology. Outputs include peer-reviewed studies on charitable giving patterns, datasets on U.S. philanthropy, and executive-level coursework. Its primary external research collaborations involve Bank of America (on high-net-worth giving), the University of Chicago, Hudson Institute, and the AFP Foundation for Philanthropic Giving. The school advertises a 100% graduate employment rate and full financial support for all enrolled Ph.D. students, signaling an intentionally small doctoral cohort (reported in the single digits per year).

Revenue mechanics differ fundamentally from a commercial enterprise. As an academic unit of a public university, the school does not publish a separate P&L; its funding is an aggregation of student tuition and fees, externally funded research grants, gifts and endowments (including the Lilly naming gift and the Mays and Lake endowments), and fee-for-service executive education through The Fund Raising School. The addressable market context includes roughly 18,000 nonprofit organizations in the Indianapolis metro area and a U.S. nonprofit sector valued at approximately $2.62 trillion, of which formal philanthropic studies programs remain a small but specialized niche.

Name

Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Legal name

Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Website

https://philanthropy.indianapolis.iu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is the world's first school of philanthropy, an academic unit of Indiana University Indianapolis offering undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs for the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Funding derives from tuition, research grants, endowed gifts, and professional development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Philanthropy Studies

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Support Services (611710), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Offices & Philanthropic Advisors (Grantmaking) (BPAGAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Philanthropy education
• Nonprofit studies
• Fundraising training
• Academic research
• Professional certificates

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis, Indiana

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate degree programs, professional doctorate, and certificate programs. The school follows Indiana University's tuition structure for online and on-campus programs.
2. Research grants and contracts: Funding from external sources for research activities, including partnerships with organizations to conduct giving studies and research projects.
3. Donations and charitable contributions: Philanthropic support from donors, including endowed chairs, fellowships, scholarships, and general operational funding.
4. Professional development programs: Revenue from The Fund Raising School courses, seminars, certificates, and customized training programs for nonprofit professionals.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels16 records

Core offering

The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is the world's first academic school dedicated solely to the study and teaching of philanthropy. It delivers undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and professional doctorate degree programs in philanthropic studies and philanthropic leadership, along with graduate certificates and an accelerated B.A./M.A. pathway. Through The Fund Raising School, it provides continuing education, certificates, and customized training programs for nonprofit and fundraising professionals. The school also operates research institutes focused on faith and giving, diverse philanthropy, and women's philanthropy.

Product overview

The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is the world's first school dedicated solely to the study and teaching of philanthropy. It operates as a multi-product academic institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and research services. The core product suite includes undergraduate (B.A. in Philanthropic Leadership), graduate (M.A. in Philanthropic Studies), doctoral (Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies), and professional doctorate (PhilD) degree programs. Supporting offerings include graduate certificates in Philanthropic Studies and Philanthropic Fundraising, plus an accelerated B.A./M.A. pathway. Professional development is delivered through The Fund Raising School with over 20 courses and multiple certificate programs. Research and specialized focus areas are served through three institutes: Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy, and Women's Philanthropy Institute. Youth engagement programs include the Youth Philanthropy Initiative with the Changemakers Summit and podcast. The school also operates the Patterson Foundation Fellowship for advanced degree graduates and runs the Pitch Your Passion scholarship competition. All offerings are delivered through the school's Indianapolis campus with some programs available online.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Fund Raising School: Professional development programs offering courses and certificates in fundraising management for nonprofit professionals
• PhilD (Professional Doctorate in Philanthropic Leadership)
• Lake Institute on Faith & Giving
• Women's Philanthropy Institute
• Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy
• Pitch Your Passion Competition
• Youth Philanthropy Initiative
• Changemakers Unplugged Podcast

Products and services

• B.A. in Philanthropic Leadership Undergraduate degree program preparing students for careers in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, donor relations, fundraising, and corporate responsibility.
• M.A. in Philanthropic Studies Graduate degree program offering comprehensive understanding of social, cultural, political, and economic forces shaping philanthropy, available in-person, virtual, or hybrid formats.
• Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies Doctoral program training scholars and professionals to conduct original research on philanthropy, engaging humanities and social science theory.
• PhilD, Professional Doctorate in Philanthropic Leadership The world's first professional doctorate for philanthropic and nonprofit professionals, designed for senior leaders with graduate degrees to apply research and critical thinking to real-world challenges through online coursework and annual residencies in Indianapolis.
• The Fund Raising School Professional development arm offering over 20 courses, seminars, certificates in Fundraising Management, Fundraising Leadership, Nonprofit Executive Leadership, Digital Fund Raising, and Planned Giving, plus customized organizational training.
• Graduate Certificates in Philanthropic Studies and Philanthropic Fundraising Certificate programs providing education in the field of philanthropic studies and fundraising, introducing critical issues and values of philanthropic practices to working professionals.
• Accelerated B.A./M.A. Program Accelerated program allowing students to complete both bachelor's and master's degrees in philanthropic studies in five years, saving up to one year of time and tuition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school after graduation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Bill Stanczykiewicz (Fundraising School Director)coreOthers · 19 December 2024Senior Assistant Dean for External Relations and Director of the Fundraising School provides expertise on fundraising case statements and professional practices.
• University of Chicago (John List and colleagues)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnered with Visiting Robert F. Hartsook Chair in Fundraising, John List and colleagues at the University of Chicago, to present the Science of Philanthropy Initiative Conference, advancing evidence-based research in philanthropy.
• Hudson InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Index of Global Philanthropy and Remittances and Index of Philanthropic Freedom were transferred from the Hudson Institute to the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in 2017, expanding the school's research portfolio.
• AFP Foundation for PhilanthropycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Joint effort between AFP Foundation for Philanthropy and the school to support fundraising research through the Ernest W. Wood Fellowship, a $10,000 research prize.
• SPEA (School of Public and Environmental Affairs)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009The Fund Raising School and SPEA developed joint series of executive education courses focusing on nonprofit management.
• Bank of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005First contract with Bank of America in 2005 to conduct giving study of high net worth individuals, establishing research partnerships for studying philanthropic behavior among wealthy donors.
• Women's Philanthropy InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Acquired Women's Philanthropic Institute in 2003, now part of the school's institutes focusing on research about women's philanthropy.
• Procura (Mexico)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1996The Fund Raising School courses were offered in Mexico in 1996 with partnership of Procura, expanding international reach of professional development programs.
• The Fund Raising SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987The Fund Raising School was transferred to Indiana University in 1987 and has since been operated as part of the school, offering professional development for fundraisers.
• Lake Institute on Faith & GivingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLake Institute on Faith & Giving is embedded within the school, fostering understanding of the dynamic relationship between faith and giving through research, education, and public conversation. Named after Thomas H. Lake family.
• Mays Family Institute on Diverse PhilanthropycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 2015 in honor of William and Rose Mays, focusing on exploring what inspires underrepresented communities to give and promoting diverse philanthropy.
• Women's Philanthropy InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the school focusing on research and education about women's philanthropy, with an advisory council guiding its work.
• Higher Education and Philanthropy InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitute focused on research and engagement related to philanthropy in higher education settings.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves3 records

Others

• The Center for Effective Philanthropy: CEP is a research and advisory organization serving philanthropy funders—adjacent to the Lilly Family School's research mission but operating in the practitioner-facing advisory space rather than academic credentials.
• Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP): AFP is the leading professional association for fundraisers and operates the AFP Foundation, which partners directly with the Lilly Family School on research (e.g., Ernest W. Wood Fellowship). It is an ecosystem participant in fundraising professional development rather than a degree competitor.
• Candid (formerly Foundation Center and GuideStar): Candid provides philanthropic data, research, and learning resources to the social sector—an infrastructure and knowledge provider that complements but does not compete with the Lilly Family School's degree and research programs.

Broad incumbents

• New York University Wagner School of Public Service: NYU Wagner offers graduate programs in public and nonprofit management with a substantial philanthropy component, overlapping with the Lilly Family School's M.A. and PhilD target audience of nonprofit leaders.
• Harvard Kennedy School — Social Innovation and Nonprofit Programs: Harvard Kennedy School's broader portfolio includes nonprofit and philanthropic studies; while it serves as a broader incumbent in public policy education, it overlaps meaningfully with the Lilly Family School's graduate and doctoral offerings.

Direct peers

• Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation: ASU's Lodestar Center is one of the closest peer programs, offering nonprofit management education, executive development, and applied research specifically focused on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector—directly comparable to the Lilly Family School's mission and product mix.
• Columbia University Programs in Nonprofit Management: Columbia offers nonprofit management education and certificates targeting professionals in the social sector—comparable to the Lilly Family School's graduate certificates and M.A. in Philanthropic Studies.
• University of Pennsylvania Center for High Impact Philanthropy: Penn's CHIP is a university-based center focused on philanthropic research and education, comparable in function to the Lilly Family School's institutes that produce applied research for the philanthropic sector.
• Stanford University Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society: Stanford PACS is a leading academic center studying philanthropy and civil society through research, teaching, and convening—directly comparable in mission to the Lilly Family School's research institutes and academic programs in philanthropy.

Emerging players

• University of Chicago (Philanthropy Research Collaboration): Through John List and colleagues at the University of Chicago, the school has an active research partnership via the Science of Philanthropy Initiative; UChicago's economic research on giving makes it a comparable emerging player in evidence-based philanthropy studies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/IUphilanthropy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IUPhilanthropy
• Facebookfacebook.com/IULillyFamilySchoolofPhilanthropy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/indiana-university-lilly-family-school-of-philanthropy
• Instagraminstagram.com/iu.philanthropy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy