In 1968, the company established the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Inc., 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 awards grants biannually to qualified U.S.-based, tax-exempt public charities in three broad areas of interest: 

• Health Care: Everything at Lilly begins with a focus on the unmet medical needs of patients around the world. To support that philosophy, the Lilly Foundation provides grants to organizations aligned with Lilly’s therapeutic areas of interest that work to improve patient outcomes on a national or international level, with special emphasis on programs that address health disparities among minority patient populations.
• Community and Economic Development: To enhance the quality of life in the communities where Lilly employees live and work, the Lilly Foundation provides grants to cultural institutions and other organizations in communities in which Lilly has a presence, especially Indianapolis, Indiana, the location of Lilly’s global headquarters.
• Education: Because quality education is essential to remain competitive in a global marketplace, the Lilly Foundation provides grants to improve education and educational opportunities, with a priority on science.
• Matching Gifts and Volunteer Grant Programs: We know that philanthropic support from individual employees is essential to the vitality of organizations that support community goals and enrich the quality of life for those they serve. The Lilly Foundation encourages such personal philanthropy by matching the personal contributions of U.S. employees, retirees, and board members to qualifying educational, cultural, and health care organizations. The Lilly Foundation also awards small Volunteer Grants to public charities in which Lilly employees have a continuing, active involvement through their generous investment of time and expertise.
• United Way: Because helping people in need is at the heart of Lilly’s business, the company has partnered with United Way for several decades to support human services agencies and programs throughout the United States. The Lilly Foundation supports that effort by matching the personal contributions of Lilly employees and retirees through an annual United Way campaign. 

More detailed information regarding the areas supported the Lilly Foundation can be found under What We Support. 

Download Charitable Giving 2010 (PDF)