The Chronicle of Philanthropy archives find a permanent home at Indiana University Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS – A key piece of philanthropic and journalism history has a new home at Indiana University Indianapolis. In a gift agreement between The Chronicle of Philanthropy and the Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives at IU Indianapolis’ University Library, the library will provide the long-term preservation of bound historical editions of the publication. Additionally, the issues of the publication will also be digitized and available for free via IU’s Digital Collections website.
“We’re donating bound volumes and physical copies of our print issues beginning with our first publication on October 25, 1988. We have also provided copies of our early promotional materials and other documents that explain why we decided to create the biggest newsroom covering the nonprofit and foundation world,” said Stacy Palmer, CEO of The Chronicle of Philanthropy. “Our hope is that the digitized versions of these issues will make it easier for people to gain access to everything we have published.”
While early editions of The Chronicle are currently available in subscription databases, these are behind paywalls and exist in a degraded text-only format. Team members in the Archives, including IU Indianapolis student employees, will digitize the print originals. They will then become an organized online collection offering free access to the full early Chronicle editions, including photographs and graphs.
Access to these historical issues will allow researchers to find industry reactions to historical events, follow the development of nonprofit movements and trends, and study prominent individuals in philanthropy. “While working with scholars I have seen first-hand the impact The Chronicle’s reporting has when researching philanthropy,” said Denise Rayman, the library’s Director of Distinctive Collections. “I’m excited University Library can bring this important and historic journalism to more researchers through an open-access digital collection.”
The archives will also allow access to the Chronicle’s signature ranking, the Philanthropy 50, the annual list of the donors who give the most. It also includes the publication’s long- running compilation of the 400 charities that raise the most money from private sources, which now lives today as a more select list of 100 organizations.
“As the nexus of the world’s first school dedicated solely to the study and teaching of philanthropy and the internationally recognized philanthropy collections, IU Indianapolis is an ideal home for The Chronicle of Philanthropy archives,” said Amir Pasic, the Eugene R. Tempel Dean of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. “We’re fortunate that Lilly Family School of Philanthropy faculty, researchers and students will benefit from first-hand access to these materials. We and our colleagues are honored to be entrusted with preserving and sharing these essential accounts and records of philanthropy.”
“We have long collaborated closely with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy because of its pioneering role in educating nonprofit professionals and encouraging scholarship on the social sector,” said Palmer. “Its work mirrors our mission – equipping nonprofits and foundations with actionable insights, professional training, and elevating public understanding of nonprofits with trustworthy facts.”
The Chronicle of Philanthropy started as a biweekly newspaper, building the biggest newsroom covering the social sector and recruiting and training a generation of reporters to cover a field that was rapidly exploding in size and importance. The Chronicle became an independent nonprofit in 2023, spinning off from its parent organization, the for-profit Chronicle of Higher Education. As part of that move, all of the archives became the property of the nonprofit.
About the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is dedicated to improving philanthropy and 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 through its undergraduate, graduate, Ph.D., PhilD, certificate and professional development programs, its research and international programs, and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy, Women’s Philanthropy Institute, and the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and Facebook.
About the Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives
The mission of the Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives is to collect and provide access to unique materials that will support faculty, student, and community success. We teach the value of archives through documenting the history of IU Indianapolis, the philanthropic tradition, and our community.