Gene Tempel, founding dean of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, has been named one of the 50 most influential leaders in the nonprofit sector by The NonProfit Times, a leading nonprofit sector publication.
In recognizing Tempel's leadership, the publication said, "Tempel heads the nation's first school of philanthropy and there wouldn't be one without his decades of dedication to the concept of learning about giving. Even though he's slated to retire soon, he'll still be around the sector pushing for new ideas powered by research and accumulated knowledge."
Tempel has been selected for The NonProfit Times "Power and Influence Top 50" list 13 times since it debuted in 1998. In 2013, the publication named him its inaugural "Influencer of the Year," selecting him for the honor from among the nonprofit leaders nationwide who comprised the 2013 "Power and Influence Top 50."
The 50 honorees for 2014 have been invited to a September gala in Washington, D.C. The list is compiled by The NonProfit Times' staff and people from the philanthropic sector.
"It is tremendous that the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is being acknowledged among these remarkable sector leaders and organizations who are shaping the important roles philanthropy and nonprofits play in building civil society," Tempel said. "This honor acknowledges the school's leadership in the vanguard of philanthropy education, research and training and the outstanding contributions of our board of visitors, faculty, students, staff, donors and volunteers, as well as Indiana University. It is because of their efforts and support that we are able to improve philanthropy to improve the world."
"We thank The NonProfit Times for spotlighting the importance of increasing understanding of philanthropy and of preparing the next generation of knowledgeable, innovative professionals who will continue to strengthen civil society and invent new ways of meeting society's needs," Tempel added.
As founding dean of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Tempel leads the world's first school devoted to the study and teaching of philanthropy. He played an integral role in establishing the school's precursor, the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, and served as its executive director from 1997 through 2008, developing it into a leading national resource.
Committed to strengthening the philanthropic sector, Tempel was the first elected president of the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council, a national association of academic centers and programs that focus on the study of nonprofit organizations, voluntarism and philanthropy. He is a past chair of the national Association of Fundraising Professionals' Ethics Committee and a member of Independent Sector's Expert Advisory Panel that helped create national guidelines for nonprofit governance and ethical behavior. He is president emeritus of the Indiana University Foundation.
About the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change. The School offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy-voluntary action for the public good-through its academic, research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and the Women's Philanthropy Institute.