Lilly Endowment encourages giving with matching grant

The Lilly Endowment, Inc., challenges Anderson University alumni and friends to give to their alumni mater by offering to match gifts collected between now and Dec. 31, 2003, up to $3 million.

“For students who benefit from alumni annual gifts, this is some of the best news of the year,” said Dr. James Edwards, president of the university. “And it comes at a time when we are growing both in enrollment and in student need.”

“We are excited by this major granting opportunity being provided by The Lilly Endowment, Inc.,” added Ronald W. Moore, senior vice president of the university. Moore notes that $1 million of this one-time matching grant initiative will be made available to encourage giving for any academic purpose of the donor’s choosing, such as scholarships, faculty professional development, technology and equipment, and capital or academic program needs. Up to $2.5 million of the matching funds will be allocated to increase the universities unrestricted endowment.

Gifts to athletics or athletic scholarships cannot be counted for the Lilly match. Qualifying gifts must consist of irrevocable contributions of cash or property (e.g. marketable securities, cash equivalents and real property) and must be paid in full by Dec. 31, 2003.

Lilly is offering this program to all 38 of Indiana’s two- and four-year private and public accredited colleges and universities.

“It is known that higher education institutions that have broad support from their alumni and other interested parties are frequently among the strongest institutions in the country,” said Sara B. Cobb, Lilly’s endowment vice president for education. “We hope that this initiative will cause more of those closest to Indiana institutions to develop habits of supporting them. We also hope that in providing that support they will become more engaged in the affairs of their college or university.”

“A return on investment in the life of students just got even better,” Edwards noted. “Alumni gifts can now have a double impact.”

To learn how to make a gift, contact the Office of the Senior Vice President or the Development Office at (800) 421-1025.