ISI Receives Large-Scale Implementation Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

International School of Indiana is pleased to share that it has received a $6 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Marion County K-12 Private Schools Initiative. This is one of 34 large-scale implementation grants being awarded through phase 3 of the initiative, which is designed to help strengthen the academic achievement of students in Indianapolis and improve their prospects for success after high school.

International School of Indiana’s phase 3 grant proposal, “Boldly Advancing ISI: The Future of Learning, Wellness, and Campus Innovation,” outlined a strategic investment in three mission-aligned priorities: expanding interdisciplinary STEM offerings, embedding wellness and athletics into the student experience, and modernizing the ISI campus and learning environments. These priorities emerged from the school’s Lilly Endowment-funded phase 1 planning grant and are fully aligned with the mission, strategic plan, campus master plan, and philanthropic priorities. 

“Over the past two decades, ISI has demonstrated its ability to translate philanthropic investment into meaningful institutional growth,” Head of School Elizabeth Head said. “This generous support from Lilly Endowment is a transformational gift for our school. ISI is ready to move from vision to action, and we look forward to sharing additional information about our plans and timeline with our school community and stakeholders in the new year.”

International School of Indiana also received a $209,000 implementation grant from Lilly Endowment in June 2025 through phase 2 of the Marion County K-12 Private School Initiative. Enabling the school to acquire four 15-passenger vans has removed logistical barriers that limited students’ ability to participate in Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) for DP students, as well as co-curricular and service learning activities for all ISI students, and extracurricular programs - including athletics - for students in grades 5 through 12.

Lilly Endowment is making large-scale implementation grants to public schools in Indianapolis through a separate, complementary initiative.

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About Lilly Endowment
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.