Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Inc.

Philanthropy and community service are long-standing traditions at Eli Lilly and Company. For more than a century, the company has been building upon the founding Lilly family’s commitment to the philosophy of good corporate citizenship. In keeping with this philosophy, Lilly contributes at the level of the most generous companies worldwide - a goal it achieves annually through product and cash contributions.

In 1968, the company established the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Inc. The Lilly Foundation is a tax-exempt private foundation that awards cash grants to support philanthropic initiatives that are aligned with the company’s business strategy. The Lilly Foundation has three primary programs through which the majority of its grants are made: Discretionary Grants Program, Employee Matching Gifts Program, and Employee Volunteer Recognition Program.

Discretionary Grants Program

Grants are made on a discretionary basis by the board of directors of the Lilly Foundation through a competitive process. The Lilly Foundation makes grants to qualified U.S. based tax-exempt public charities that have a well-defined sense of purpose, a demonstrated commitment to maximizing available resources, and a reputation for meeting objectives and delivering quality programs and services.

More specifically, the Lilly Foundation makes grants to qualified organizations that:

• improve patient outcomes, especially in Lilly’s therapeutic areas of interest;
• enhance the quality of life in communities in which Lilly has a presence, especially Indianapolis, Indiana; and
• improve education and educational opportunities, with a priority on science.

In each of these areas, the Lilly Foundation places special emphasis on programs that address diversity.

Grant guidelines for the Lilly Foundation’s Discretionary Grants Program can be found under what we support.

Employee Matching Gifts Program

Grants are also made by the Lilly Foundation through the Employee Matching Gifts Program, including a United Way initiative. Through the Employee Matching Gifts Program, the Lilly Foundation assists many qualified U.S. based tax-exempt public charities by matching the gifts of Lilly employees and retirees to qualified educational institutions, cultural organizations and specific health care organizations. The Employee Matching Gifts Program allows Lilly employees and retirees to help determine how the Foundation will spend a portion of its philanthropic resources.

Grant guidelines for the Employee Matching Gifts Program can be found by visiting the program's website.

Employee Volunteer Recognition Program

In 1995, the Lilly Foundation established the Employee Volunteer Recognition Program to encourage and recognize Lilly employees for their volunteer service. Through the program, a $250 grant is awarded to qualified U.S. based tax-exempt public charities in which Lilly employees have a continuing, active involvement through their generous investment of time and expertise.

Employees can apply for the volunteer grant via the company's new on-line employee volunteer program, Lilly Hands and Hearts.

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