2025 News & Events

Applications Now Open for Emerging Scholars on African Philanthropy Initiative

Application deadline: July 31

INDIANAPOLIS, June 18, 2025

The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, is excited to announce a new opportunity under the Emerging Scholars on African Philanthropy Initiative. This opportunity is a specialized fundraising training designed for early-career scholars in sub-Saharan Africa. The goal of this program is to help promote scholarship in philanthropic studies and build the leadership pipeline in higher education across sub-Saharan Africa.

This eight-week virtual training course, offered through The Fund Raising School, will equip participants from higher education institutions in sub-Saharan Africa with strategies to strengthen institutional advancement, engage donors, and plan for annual sustainability. This free online course will be offered to selected individuals in Africa who demonstrate potential to apply fundraising knowledge in higher education. The course will be led by experts from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment at the University of Witwatersrand, with guest speakers from African higher education institutions. The course is anticipated to begin in mid-October and to run through mid-December 2025. Applications are due on July 31, 2025.Read more about the application criteria and how to apply.

About the Indiana University 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 through its undergraduate, graduate, 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 known as Twitter), LinkedIn, or Instagram and “Like” us on Facebook.

About The Fund Raising School

For 50 years, The Fund Raising School (TFRS) has been at the forefront of helping thousands of fundraising professionals around the world achieve new levels of success. We teach the how and why of philanthropy, the current issues, and the art and science of fundraising. The depth and breadth of TFRS curriculum have been proven effective for participants with varying levels of fundraising experience. TFRS participants leave the training with practical skills needed to make a difference, as well as a deep understanding and ability to better articulate the powerful role their organization can play in making the world a better place.

All Indiana University events/programs, groups, activities, educational, cultural, and historical observances are open to all members of the Indiana University community.

New Global Philanthropy Report Unveiled by Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Index reveals in-depth analysis of the state of global generosity

INDIANAPOLIS, May 28, 2025 – The 2025 Global Philanthropy Environment Index (GPEI), a new research study assessing the enabling environment for philanthropy in 95 countries and economies, is being released today by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. As the leading tool for understanding global philanthropic conditions, the GPEI provides crucial insights into the incentives and barriers faced by philanthropic organizations and donors worldwide.

Covering the period from 2021 to 2023, the 2025 GPEI marks a pivotal effort to understand the latest information on conditions influencing philanthropy during a time of significant global challenges, including natural disasters, economic upheaval, and a global health crisis. A collaboration with 173 local experts worldwide, this comprehensive index evaluates six critical factors impacting philanthropy in each country and economy: ease of operating a philanthropic organization, tax incentives, cross-border financial flows, political environment, economic conditions, and sociocultural influences.

"Philanthropy plays a central role in addressing the world's most pressing challenges, and generosity remains a universal quality,” said Amir Pasic, Ph.D., the Eugene R. Tempel Dean of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. “The 2025 GPEI provides valuable insights that empower leaders in all sectors to create more supportive environments for philanthropic efforts. By leveraging these findings, together we can enhance collaboration and create meaningful impact across the globe."

Overall, the GPEI report underscores the complex interplay of factors shaping the philanthropic environment globally. While favorable conditions exist in many regions, challenges remain, requiring flexibility and collaboration so that philanthropy can effectively address global priorities. The insights and recommendations provided aim to inform and assist policymakers, philanthropic leaders, and practitioners in fostering a more supportive environment for philanthropy worldwide.

Key Findings

Generosity Remains Universal: Despite global challenges, the sociocultural factor of giving remains strong, highlighting that generosity is a shared human trait across cultures, societies, and countries. About 60% of assessed countries have favorable philanthropic environments.<
Regional Variations and Emerging Trends: Western Europe leads with favorable conditions driven by economic growth and digital innovation, while regions like the Caribbean face challenges. The pandemic has catalyzed digital adaptations and climate philanthropy, backed by increased government support for private sector involvement.
Resource for Policy- and Decision-Makers: The findings provide a robust framework for policymakers and leaders in philanthropy, the private sector and beyond around the world, offering opportunities for strategic improvements that tie into the broader geopolitical context.

Recommendations for Enhancing Philanthropy:

Legal and Administrative Reforms: Streamlining laws and processes can enhance the operating environment for philanthropy.
Collaboration: Encouraging effective partnerships across sectors is vital for effectively addressing global issues.
Right-sized Regulations: Tailoring administrative requirements to organizational size can alleviate burdens on smaller entities.

The GPEI further identifies key future developments, such as intergenerational wealth transfer and cross-border giving policies, which will shape global philanthropy. Ongoing research and future updates will continue to inform strategies for global development.

"Understanding and improving the environment for philanthropy is crucial in addressing global challenges. The 2025 GPEI offers a robust framework for decision-makers and practitioners in philanthropy and other sectors to foster a more supportive and effective philanthropic landscape," said Una Osili, Ph.D. Associate Dean for Research and International Programs at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

Stakeholders around the world, including governments, philanthropic organizations and the public, are encouraged to utilize the GPEI's insights to help create meaningful change in their regions and communities. For more information about the 2025 Global Philanthropy Environment Index, please visit: https://globalindices.indianapolis.iu.edu/environment-index/index.html.

Voices from the Field: Shaping Futures in the Climate Crisis

February 19, 2025

Climate change is a present-day global challenge that demands a global response. Higher frequency of extreme weather events, climate change-induced displacement, and socioeconomic volatility are just some symptoms of this omnipresent crisis. The impacts are deeply local, and so, too, are the solutions.

Though rarely in the spotlight, grassroots-driven activism, collaboration, and leadership have been paramount to deepen and broaden climate action, especially to care for and support those disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. Movements and civil society organizations on the ground are fighting for a just transition, to give local people and communities a voice in decision-making, to ensure the rights of Indigenous peoples, and to guarantee fair wages and safe working conditions. Grassroots-driven action brings local expertise and practical insights that help shape more effective, people-centered policies and climate solutions, while also fostering the next generation of environmental and human rights advocates.

The webinar is made possible by a grant from the Gates Foundation.

Speakers

Moderator

Ash Enrici, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Philanthropic Studies; McKinney Family Fellow of Environmental Resilience and Philanthropy, IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Panelists

Atossa Soltani, Director of Global Strategy, Amazon Sacred Headwaters
Yash Ranga, Director of Strategy and Innovation, PYXERA Global, India Office
John Mbugua, Community Officer and Research & Data Analyst, Green Generation Initiative

About the Speakers

Atossa Soltani is the Director of global strategy for the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Initiative, an alliance of 30 indigenous nations in Ecuador and Peru working to permanently protect 86 million acres of rainforests in one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. She is the founder and board president of Amazon Watch and served as the organization’s executive director for 18 years. Atossa helped co-found Artists for Amazonia to catalyze global action for the Amazon in response to the fires that engulfed the region in 2019. She is a member and contributing author to the Science Panel for the Amazon and is currently serving as a judge for the XPrize Rainforest competition for novel technologies that can expedite the monitoring of tropical biodiversity. In recognition for her life’s work as rainforests and indigenous rights campaigner, Atossa was named the Hillary Institute’s 2013 Global Laureate for Climate Leadership.

Yash Ranga serves as the Director of Partnerships and Innovation at PYXERA Global, a community-driven nonprofit organization that accelerates systemic change through multi-stakeholder partnerships. He leads the organization’s efforts to formalize Northeast India’s first waste cooperative and the implementation of on the ground circular economy initiatives. Previously, Yash led the Jaipur Rugs Foundation known for its inclusive carpet value chain that linked 40,000 grassroots artisans with global markets in 60 countries. Featured in The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty through Profits, the socio-economic development model deployed by the Foundation is often referenced by the government, industry, media, and academia.

Yash is the co-founder of the Global Conscious Luxury Movement and served as an advisor of conscious fashion initiative OneXOne, Creatives for Our Future by Swarovski Foundation, and United Nations Office for Partnerships. As a Cordes Fellow, Yash represented India at

Opportunity Collaboration in Mexico, has been selected as Dasra Social Impact leaders in India, and sits on the board of Social Impact Enterprises in India and UK.

John Mbugua

John Mbugua is Community Officer and Research & Data Analyst at the Green Generation Initiative. Passionate about environmental conservation and climate action, John currently serves as the Field Operations Lead at the Green Generation Initiative, where he oversees landscape restoration and school greening programs. With a Bachelor of Science in Statistics from Kirinyaga University, John has a strong background in data collection and analysis, having worked with organizations such as WWF-Kenya, UN-Habitat, and Remit Kenya. His expertise spans survey research, impact assessment, and policy advocacy, particularly in rural-urban linkages and sustainable development.

As a member of the Climate Change Committee for Nyandarua County, John actively contributes to shaping policies that promote resilience and environmental sustainability. His work emphasizes empowering local communities through mentorship, conservation efforts, and data-driven decision-making. John is committed to fostering sustainable solutions that drive social equity and climate resilience, making him a valuable voice in discussions on shaping the future of philanthropy and community development.

Dr. Ash Enrici is an assistant professor at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and proudly serves as a McKinney Family Fellow of Environmental Resilience and Philanthropy. Ash and her students collaboratively define the field of “environmental philanthropy” as a mosaic of intentional practices rooted in diverse traditions and ways of knowing. In her work, Ash aims to explore how these practices advance equity and well-being for current and future generations of all beings, recognizing our interconnectedness with the ecosystems that sustain life.

Her current research investigates how donors can support climate change mitigation and conservation in more equitable and effective ways. She is also developing a project that leverages dive tourism for coral reef restoration and coral futures. Having worked in Indonesia, Fiji, Palau, and the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, Ash brings a global perspective to environmental justice, climate change adaptation, and ocean conservation. She employs collaborative methods of knowledge co-production, ethnography, and Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), while also studying how storytelling can spur positive environmental change.

Beyond her scholarship, Ash has served as a certified freediving instructor since 2015, reflecting her deep passion for the ocean. As a mother of two young children, Ash remains dedicated to exploring new ways of fostering meaningful connections between people and the environment to help ensure a more just and ecologically thriving future.

Watch the webinar