Though the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy is the first of its kind, the Institute’s founder, Dr. Rose Mays, is humble about its genesis.
“I can’t take all the credit for the idea of assembling a group of scholars that focuses on the diverse aspects of giving,” she says. “It was in consultation with a good friend of my husband’s, Lacy Johnson, who was seeking to honor Bill in some way through a gift to IU. After discussing the various needs of the university and potential vehicles that would reflect Bill’s legacy of giving, we landed on the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy.”
Founded in 2015 in honor of Rose’s late husband Bill Mays (founder of Mays Chemical Company and a leader in Indianapolis philanthropy), the Mays Institute encourages and advances greater understanding of the ways in which underrepresented people are both inspired and informed donors by providing knowledge, education, and training.
The Institute disseminates groundbreaking research, engages the wider community, and develops innovative programming that focuses on underrepresented populations. Its external partnerships are particularly important in the success of its research studies.
“Our various research initiatives could not have been possible without the amazing external partnerships. One recent example is the Gates Foundation-sponsored study, Everyday Donors of Color. One of the findings of this research highlighted the importance of trust in giving by individuals of various ethnic and racial backgrounds,” Mays adds.
The goal of reaching a broader demographic and affirming the role that underrepresented communities play in philanthropy are factors that drive the innovative programming of the Mays Institute. For example, a recent program held earlier this year was tailored for a young audience – the next generation of philanthropic leaders.
The NBA All-Stars Weekend provided the opportunity for the Mays Institute to partner with the Mothers of Professional Basketball Players, Inc. to host a panel discussion for elite high school and college basketball players. The speakers, who were NBA & WNBA players and their parents, shared insights and advice about making an impact on their communities through giving.
“To date, I have been very pleased with the institute’s work. The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is an outstanding leader in the field of philanthropic studies, and the Mays Institute has been an effective platform for highlighting and affirming the role that underrepresented communities play in philanthropy. Also, I think that this focus on previously overlooked causes and giving narratives and channels has drawn additional students to the field, especially those from marginalized groups,” Mays said.