Through the Amazing Race for Good, these students tackled challenges, collaborated as teams, and discovered how giving can drive real community impact.

Boosting the future of philanthropy and elevating youth voices

The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and IU Indianapolis Admissions will launch a Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) in January 2026. The initiative will provide a national forum for the next generation of philanthropic leaders and those who teach and mentor them.

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M.A. in Philanthropic Studies

Lead with purpose. Shape the future of philanthropy.

Get the knowledge and skills to lead in nonprofits, foundations, government, and beyond.

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The master's program prepares graduates to take on leadership roles and cultivate a deeper, more thoughtful, and engaged approach to philanthropic practice and research. Graduates emerge as more articulate, intentional, and informed leaders in both their personal and professional philanthropic efforts. More Master Degree stories

Empowering Generosity: Understanding Philanthropy for Advisors

As philanthropy evolves, advisors play a critical role in helping clients give with purpose and impact.

This three-day, in-person certificate program equips financial, wealth, and philanthropy advisors with research-based insight, practical tools, and ethical frameworks to confidently guide modern giving.

  • Two 2026 offerings
  • Earn continuing education units
  • Learn from nationally recognized experts

San Diego | March 9–11 or October 26–28, 2026

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Your path begins here

Make your passion your profession

Contact us about our degree programs in philanthropy.

Sharpen your fundraising skills

Contact us about our professional development courses and customized trainings.

As a masters program graduate, Connor LaGrange, M.A. ’21, became a Patterson Foundation Fellow, “One of my favorite things was to help spearhead the dynamic fundraising initiative in conjunction with The Fund Raising School.”   Read Connor's story

Smithsonian internship leads to pursuit of a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies

Clarissa Trent is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy after an internship with the Smithsonian Institution.

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Student's internship leads to full-time position at Goldman Sachs

Kimberly Hestermann, dual major in Philanthropic Leadership at Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Finance at Kelley School of Business, has accepted a full-time position at Goldman Sachs following her summer intership there.  

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Jane Wales, co-chair of the Generosity Commission and vice president of The Aspen Institute

“Indianapolis ought to be very proud because a driving force in all of this is the Lilly School. They’re always several steps ahead of everyone else on the core research, on understanding the underlying dynamics that are going on,” said Jane Wales, co-chair of the Generosity Commission and vice president of The Aspen Institute (The IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is mentioned at 12:38).

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Pitch Your Passion and win a full-ride scholarship! Two top winners of Pitch Your Passion will be awarded a Thomasson Scholarship, which covers up to four years of tuition and fees, room and board, books, and a semester abroad. Other winners will be awarded partial scholarships.