The IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Community of Fellows Program 2026 is now inviting creative scholars and practitioners to apply for visiting and resident fellowship opportunities designed to advance the field of philanthropy. This fellowship program offers a unique opportunity for professionals, researchers, and thought leaders to work closely with one of the world’s leading institutions dedicated to philanthropic education, research, and leadership.

Building on decades of advancing philanthropic knowledge and practice, the school has launched a suite of strategic initiatives focused on the cutting edge of philanthropy. Through the Community of Fellows Program, the school seeks individuals who can contribute original ideas, applied research, professional programming, public engagement, and sector-focused innovation.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning June 1, 2026, and selected projects may begin as early as September 8, 2026.

About the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Community of Fellows Program

The Community of Fellows Program is an initiative of the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, a globally recognized institution dedicated to strengthening the understanding and practice of philanthropy.

The program invites fellows to collaborate with faculty and staff on research, program development, professional education, donor and practitioner engagement, and public convenings. Fellows may serve as either visiting fellows or in-residence fellows, depending on the nature of their proposed work, availability, and the fellowship area.

The fellowship is designed for individuals who want to contribute meaningfully to the field of philanthropy by producing practical, relevant, and high-impact outcomes.

Fellowship Areas

The IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is seeking fellows to engage in research and program development in several strategic areas. Applicants should propose work that aligns with one or more of the following fellowship categories:

1. Philanthropic Advising

This area focuses on the growing field of philanthropic advising, including how donors, families, foundations, and institutions make giving decisions. Fellows may explore topics such as donor strategy, advisory models, family philanthropy, ethical advising, wealth and generosity, or the professionalization of philanthropic advisory services.

2. Impact Investing

Impact investing is an important and expanding part of modern philanthropy. Fellows interested in this area may examine how capital can be used to generate both financial returns and social impact. Projects may explore investment strategies, measurement frameworks, donor behavior, institutional approaches, or the relationship between philanthropy and mission-driven finance.

3. Higher Education and Philanthropy

This fellowship area focuses on the relationship between higher education and philanthropic practice. Fellows may investigate fundraising, institutional advancement, donor engagement, alumni giving, university-community partnerships, or the role of higher education institutions in promoting the common good.

4. Policy and Philanthropy

Policy plays a major role in shaping philanthropy. Fellows working in this area may explore laws, regulations, tax policy, public-private partnerships, philanthropic advocacy, nonprofit policy environments, or how philanthropic institutions influence and respond to public policy.

5. Sports and Philanthropy

Sports and philanthropy is a growing field that examines how athletes, teams, leagues, foundations, and sports organizations engage in giving and social impact. Fellows may develop projects around athlete philanthropy, sports foundations, community development, youth programs, social justice, or the use of sports as a platform for charitable engagement.

What Fellows Will Do

Selected fellows will collaborate with faculty and staff at the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy to develop meaningful work in their chosen area. The fellowship is flexible and may include research, program development, public engagement, and professional education.

Fellows may participate in one or more of the following activities:

Design and execute applied research
Fellows may carry out research projects that lead to practical outcomes for the philanthropy sector.
Develop professional development offerings
Fellows may contribute to training programs, workshops, executive education, or learning resources for practitioners.
Engage with the school’s networks
Fellows may connect with practitioners, donors, scholars, nonprofit leaders, and philanthropic institutions through the school’s extensive networks.
Create or participate in public convenings
Fellows may help design conferences, seminars, panels, discussions, or other public events related to their area of focus.
Propose creative projects that advance the field
The program welcomes innovative ideas beyond traditional research, as long as the proposed work contributes to philanthropy in a meaningful way.

Benefits and Resources Available to Fellows

Fellows will have access to a range of institutional resources that can support their research, program development, and professional engagement.

The fellowship may provide:

Affiliation with the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Integration into a relevant team at the school
Travel support to Indianapolis or other locations for agreed and approved purposes
Access to research resources, including library access
A project budget of up to $50,000 for the entire project
Opportunity to use additional external funding obtained by fellow candidates
Collaboration with faculty, staff, practitioners, and donor networks
Access to a globally respected philanthropy education and research environment

The support provided will depend on the fellowship type, project focus, proposed activities, and available resources.

Fellowship Terms and Duration

Fellows may serve as either visiting fellows or in-residence fellows.

Fellowship terms may range from:

One month
Several months
Up to one full year

The exact duration will depend on the proposed project, fellowship category, and nature of the fellow’s work.

Fellows will be supported through school resources and/or external funding obtained by the fellows themselves.

Who Should Apply?

The Community of Fellows Program welcomes applications from both scholars and practitioners.

This means the fellowship is suitable for people from academic, nonprofit, philanthropic, advisory, policy, investment, sports, and professional practice backgrounds.

Ideal applicants should bring one or more of the following:

Demonstrated expertise through scholarship, practice, or both
A clear vision for research or program development
A proposed project with tangible, relevant outcomes
A strong record of collaboration across sectors
A demonstrated interest in using the school’s unique resources
Authorization to work in the United States

Applicants should be able to show how their proposed work will contribute to the advancement of philanthropy as a field.

Application Requirements

Interested applicants should submit a complete application package to the Program Manager, Saima Hassan, by email at:

lfsopcf@iu.edu

Applicants should include the fellowship category and final application in the email subject line.

The application package must include:

1. Letter of Interest

Applicants must submit a letter of interest of no more than three pages. The letter should describe:

The fellowship area being applied for
The proposed project
The project timeline
Expected deliverables
The applicant’s approach to research or program development
How the project will contribute to the field of philanthropy

2. Curriculum Vitae or Professional Résumé

Applicants should include a current CV or résumé showing their academic, professional, research, or practice-based experience.

3. Writing Samples or Portfolio Materials

Applicants must submit two writing samples or portfolio materials relevant to the proposed fellowship area.

These materials should help demonstrate the applicant’s ability, experience, and suitability for the fellowship.

4. Professional References

Applicants must provide the names and contact information of two professional references.

Application Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning June 1, 2026.

Candidates can expect to hear back within approximately one month of applying.

Projects may begin as early as September 8, 2026.

Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, interested applicants are encouraged to prepare and submit their materials early.

Important Note Before Applying

Before submitting a formal application, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the coordinator with informal inquiries.

These inquiries should demonstrate that the applicant has:

Carefully reviewed the fellowship opportunity
Understood the school’s offerings
Considered how their project aligns with the fellowship
Thought through how they can use the school’s resources effectively

This step can help applicants refine their proposals before formal submission.

About the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

The IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is the world’s first school dedicated solely to philanthropic education, research, and leadership.

Through its academic programs, applied research, professional development offerings, and field-building initiatives, the school equips individuals and organizations to strengthen and advance the common good.

The school plays an important role in supporting donors, nonprofits, scholars, practitioners, institutions, and leaders who are working to improve philanthropy and social impact around the world.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The Community of Fellows Program is more than a temporary academic or professional appointment. It is an opportunity to shape conversations, build knowledge, and develop practical tools for the philanthropy sector.

This fellowship is especially valuable for applicants who want to:

Advance research in philanthropy
Build programs that support practitioners and donors
Explore emerging areas of philanthropic practice
Collaborate with a leading school of philanthropy
Produce tangible outputs that can benefit the sector
Engage with networks of scholars, practitioners, and philanthropic leaders

By bringing together creative scholars and practitioners, the program aims to strengthen the future of philanthropy through applied knowledge, collaboration, and innovation.