Nonprofit leaders, top scholars to gather to discuss research findings that can have an impact, led by IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the University of Chicago
INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and the University of Chicago are partnering to present the 2025 Science of Philanthropy Initiative (SPI) Conference. Leading philanthropy scholars and nonprofit professionals will come together to explore the latest research on charitable giving and volunteering and how it can be used to make a greater impact for communities and society.
The September 17-18 conference will be held at the University of Chicago, 5757 S. University Ave., Chicago, IL 60637. The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and the University of Chicago alternate in hosting the annual convening.
Participants will hear the latest insights drawn from applied research by top national scholars. Scholars will present the results of research experiments conducted in collaboration with nonprofits as well as experiments done in lab settings.
The 2025 keynote speakers are:
Lara Aknin, Simon Fraser University
Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator
Michael Kremer, The University of Chicago
New this year is the opportunity for nonprofits and foundations to match with researchers and conduct field research on the organization's approach to giving. On September 17, 2025 (Conference Day 1), nonprofit and philanthropy practitioners will meet researchers in a "speed-dating" environment, and conference organizers will facilitate matches to research the organization's giving strategy.
It will be held at the University of Chicago, 5757 S. University Ave., Chicago, IL 60637.
The Science of Philanthropy Initiative was started by John List, Michael Price, and Anya Samek in 2012 to encourage experimental (field and lab) research on charitable giving. In addition to providing an avenue for research discussions, another aim of the conference is to bring together researchers studying charitable giving with practitioners in the field of philanthropy.
The organizers of the 2025 SPI conference are:
- John List, The Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics at the University of Chicago and Visiting Robert F. Hartsook Chair in Fundraising at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
- Amir Pasic, Eugene R. Tempel Dean, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
- Luigi Butera, Copenhagen Business School
- Christopher Clapp, Harris School of Public Policy
- Sara Konrath, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
- Mark Ottoni-Wilhelm, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
- Rich Steinberg, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
More information is available at https://economics.uchicago.edu/science-of-philanthropy-initiative-conference.