Frequently Asked Questions

The Lilly Foundation will accept grant applications from 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. A complete description of the Lilly Foundation’s specific areas of interest can be found under What We Support.

Yes. Organizations applying for a grant from the Lilly Foundation must be tax exempt under Code sections 501(c)(3) and 170(b)(1)(A), 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2) or 509(a)(3), excepting 509(a)(3) Type 3 organizations, of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Each organization must provide a copy of its IRS determination letter to be considered for a grant. If an organization is included under an umbrella exemption, the organization must submit the IRS determination letter issued to the parent organization and a letter from the parent organization stating that the organization applying for a grant is included under the umbrella exemption. Public schools without a 501(c)(3) designation may apply for a grant with advance approval only. Please contact us using the e-mail address on the application to request application approval.

No. The organization requesting a grant must have received an IRS determination letter approving its tax-exempt status under Code sections 501(c)(3) and 170(b)(1)(A), 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2) or 509(a)(3), excepting 509(a)(3) Type 3 organizations, or be included under an umbrella exemption.

No. The Lilly Foundation will only award grants to qualified 501(c)(3) and 170(b)(1)(A), 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2) or 509(a)(3), excepting 509(a)(3) Type 3 organizations.

No. The Lilly Foundation will only award grants to qualified U.S.-based, tax-exempt public charities. International organizations affiliated with a U.S.-based, tax-exempt public charity may apply through such organization for funding.

Under the Discretionary Grants Program, the Lilly Foundation supports philanthropic initiatives in the following areas of interest:

Company-Aligned Grants

• Health care programs aligned with Lilly’s therapeutic areas of interest
• Public policy research
• Academic relations

Community-Aligned Grants (Indianapolis, Indiana)

• Community development
• Culture
• Education and youth development
• Health care programs aligned with Lilly’s therapeutic areas of interest

A complete description of the Lilly Foundation’s specific areas of interest can be found under What We Support.

Yes, however, the Lilly Foundation gives priority to grant applications for specific projects or programs.

The following is a list of organizations and activities that are not supported by the Lilly Foundation as a matter of general policy:

• for-profit organizations
• continuing medical education
• individuals, individual scholarships, and individual travel support
• endowments or capital campaigns (exceptions are made by invitation only)
• debt reduction
• fraternal, labor, athletic, bands, or veteran organizations
• religious or sectarian programs for religious purposes
• medical missions
• programs that promote religious doctrines or exclude participants based on religion
• political causes, candidates, organizations, or campaigns
• organizations whose primary purpose is influencing legislation
• beauty or talent contests
• fundraising activities related to individual sponsorship (e.g., walk-a-thons, sporting events)
• conferences or media productions (proposals of this nature pertaining to Lilly products or research should be directed to the company's appropriate product or operating group)
• memorials
• organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, or religion

While certain programs and projects, such as continuing medical education for health care providers and community-based patient education programs, do not qualify for funding from the Lilly Foundation, they may qualify for funding from the Lilly Grant Office (LGO). For additional information about the types of programs and projects funded by the LGO, please visit its website.

Grant applications are accepted online at any time throughout the year.

Qualifying grant applications received between January 1 and June 30 are generally reviewed during the third quarter of the calendar year. Applications selected for a grant generally receive funding in the fourth quarter of the same year.

Qualifying grant applications received between July 1 and December 31 are generally reviewed in the first quarter of the following calendar year. Applications selected for a grant generally receive funding in the second quarter of the following year.

Review the Lilly Foundation’s specific areas of interest under What We Support and frequently asked questions (FAQ) to determine if your organization and program or project may qualify for funding.

If you determine that your organization and program or project may qualify for funding, please begin the online application process.

You will receive an e-mail from the Lilly Foundation when your grant application is received online. After we have verified receipt of all necessary information, you will receive an e-mail advising whether your proposal will be considered per the proposal deadlines outlined above.

If your grant application is considered by the Lilly Foundation board, you will receive an e-mail notifying you within 30 days of the board’s decision.

No. All grant applications must be submitted using the online grant application process.

Hard-copy applications mailed or otherwise delivered to the Lilly Foundation will not be considered.

No. Previously submitted grant applications will not be reconsidered by the Lilly Foundation.

Yes. You can copy and paste information from an existing Word document into the appropriate text box in the application. However, certain limitations may apply.

In addition, you can upload Word and Excel documents to the application.

The application will include instructions on how to attach electronic documents to your proposal. Only .doc, .xls or .pdf file extensions can be uploaded into the system for review. Office supply stores and shipping or printing service vendors such as Office Max, Staples, or Kinkos can assist you in converting printed materials to electronic format for a minimal cost, if needed. IMPORTANT: Your grant request cannot be submitted for consideration until ALL required documents are attached.

Lilly Endowment, Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation established in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family to pursue their personal philanthropic interests in the areas of religion, education, and community development.

Lilly Endowment is a completely separate entity from Eli Lilly and Company and Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Inc., and is governed by its own board. The Lilly Endowment cannot be solicited through the Lilly Foundation and must be contacted directly.

Lilly Endowment, Inc.
P.O. Box 88068
Indianapolis, IN 46208
Phone: 317-924-5471
Fax: 317-926-4431
www.lillyendowment.org

Eli Lilly and Company provides funding for health care professional education, patient advocacy, and consumer education programs through the Lilly Grant Office.

The Lilly Grant Office is a completely separate entity from the Lilly Foundation and cannot be solicited through the foundation. Grants must be submitted directly to the Lilly Grants Office through its website. Grant guidelines and contact information are also available on this site for your reference.

Information about the Lilly Foundation's Matching Gifts Program can be found by visiting the program's website.