New York, NY- Oct. 5, 2022 –  Lilly Endowment Inc., has awarded $3M to Girls Inc. to help strengthen and expand its work across Indiana.

Funding will be directed to all six Girls Inc. affiliates in the state (Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis, Girls Inc. of Jackson County, Girls Inc. of Jefferson County, Girls Inc. of Johnson County, Girls Inc. of Shelbyville and Shelby County, and Girls Inc. of Wayne County).  Affiliates will use the support to reach thousands more girls statewide with long-term mentoring relationships and innovative programming to help them unlock their potential and thrive as leaders, now and in the future.

“Every day, girls encounter social and systemic barriers that threaten their ability to succeed, with barriers being more pervasive amongst girls from low-income households and communities of color,” said Girls Inc. President and CEO Stephanie J. Hull, Ph.D. “As the preeminent girls’ leadership organization, Girls Inc. is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap where systemic barriers exist for girls and women, through our direct service and advocacy. We are grateful to the Lilly Endowment, whose generous grant will help Girls Inc. provide more girls with life-changing mentorship opportunities and position them for success.”

The grant is one of nine grants totaling $91.5 million that Lilly Endowment has made to national youth-serving organizations to help them enhance and expand the impact of their Indiana affiliates and chapters. The grants reflect the Endowment’s longstanding commitment to the healthy development of youth in Indiana and to the youth workers and organizations that serve them.

“At Lilly Endowment we believe that this support will help Girls Inc. and its affiliates and the other national organizations funded in this initiative serve more effectively in Indiana and reach even more youth,” said Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for education. “We also are pleased by the interest many of these organizations have in replicating strategies that succeed in Indiana with their affiliates and chapters around the country.”

About Girls Inc. 

Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through direct service and advocacy. We work with schools and in communities to provide the mentoring relationships, safe spaces, and evidence-base programming that are proven to help girls succeed. Girls build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead change in their lives and effect change in the world. Girls Inc. also works with and for girls to advance legislation and policies that increase opportunities for all girls. Together with partners and supporters, we are building a new generation of leaders. Join us at girlsinc.org.  

About Lilly Endowment Inc. 

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic 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 andCompany. 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. Although the Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.