Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Sees Growing Interest

Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is a pioneering institution that offers students a unique opportunity to study philanthropy as a career path. This school is not just about donating money; it's about understanding how to make a meaningful impact and creating positive change in the world.

Sophomore Ella Traina is one such student who has enrolled at the school, driven by her desire to contribute to making the world a better place. With its focus on philanthropy as a distinct field of study, the Lilly Family School provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue careers in nonprofits, foundations, corporations, and government.

The school's enrollment figures are impressive, having grown over 300% in just a decade from around 50 students to approximately 230. This surge in interest among young people reflects a broader trend of seeking careers that offer more than just financial rewards.

A key indicator of the school's success is its remarkable job placement rate, which has stood at 100% for the past three years. Notably, this figure exceeds even the business school students' job placement rates at Indiana University.

The Lilly Family School is part of a larger conversation about how wealth can be harnessed for the public good. As the wealthiest Americans continue to accumulate vast fortunes, there's growing interest in philanthropy as a means to address pressing social issues and support worthy causes.

Meanwhile, the impending Great Wealth Transfer, which will see $124 trillion pass from baby boomers to younger generations, raises crucial questions about how this wealth will be used. Will future generations follow in their families' footsteps or forge new paths?

Indiana University has been at the forefront of philanthropy education for decades, its roots dating back to 1987 when it formally organized its fundraising teaching and research into an academic center. This pioneering move was a significant step in recognizing the importance of philanthropy as a field of study.

In 2012, Indiana University took another major leap by establishing a dedicated school focused on philanthropy, becoming the first institution in the world to do so. Today, it offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs specifically designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for a career in philanthropy. The school's emphasis on interdisciplinary learning sets it apart from other institutions.

The Lilly Endowment has been instrumental in supporting Indiana University's development since 1988. Established by pharmaceutical executive Eli Lilly's family in 1937, the endowment views philanthropy as a vital complement to government and business in promoting the public good. It believes that philanthropy education is essential for cultivating future leaders who can make a meaningful impact.

The school's approach to teaching philanthropy is centered on developing students' critical thinking skills and encouraging them to think creatively about how they can contribute to society. This is reflected in courses such as the history of philanthropy, which provides students with a deep understanding of the subject's evolution over time. Other courses focus on storytelling for social change, enabling students to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

For students like Emily Traina, who are already making a positive impact through their studies, Indiana University's philanthropy program has provided them with a sense of direction and purpose. In one course, she and her classmates were tasked with deciding how to distribute a real $10,000 grant, giving them hands-on experience in applying theoretical knowledge to practical problems.

As the next generation prepares to enter the workforce, it is clear that many Gen Z students share Emily Traina's ambitions and values. A recent survey found that 79% of this age group hope to find a future job primarily focused on helping others or making a positive difference in people's lives. This trend suggests that philanthropy education will become increasingly important as the world grapples with pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges.

A significant number of young people are now prioritizing purpose over salary when it comes to their careers. According to a 2025 Deloitte survey, nearly half of Gen Z respondents had left jobs they felt lacked meaning, while around 40% had turned down potential employers for similar reasons.

The nonprofit sector is emerging as an attractive option for those seeking work with a sense of purpose. In 2022, nonprofits employed approximately 12.8 million workers, accounting for about 10% of all private-sector jobs in the United States, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Despite this trend, there remains a common misconception that working in philanthropy or non-profits necessarily means sacrificing financial stability. However, this is not always the case. Many nonprofit workers earn salaries comparable to those in the private sector.

According to figures cited by Amir Pasic, dean of IU's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, nearly two-thirds of nonprofit employees earn more than $75,000 annually. This is significantly higher than the average U.S. salary, and in some cases, philanthropy-related roles at major companies can reach six-figure salaries.

Walmart has recently advertised a grant manager position in Arkansas with a salary range of up to $180,000, while Microsoft offered compensation of up to $275,000 for a community affairs role. These figures challenge the notion that working in philanthropy must be a financially precarious choice.

For students like Traina, the potential benefits of studying philanthropy extend far beyond financial rewards. As she noted, even if they regret their degree choices, they will at least have gained valuable skills and knowledge that can help them make a positive impact on society.

Patrick Lindenmeyer's background is not typical of those who enter the field of philanthropy. He spent nearly 17 years working in financial services, helping clients grow and structure their wealth. Many of his clients expressed a desire to use their wealth for good, prompting him to reevaluate his career path.

The pandemic accelerated this shift for Lindenmeyer. As he reflected on what truly fulfilled him, he realized that the part of his job he enjoyed most was guiding clients in directing their money towards causes they cared about. This experience laid the groundwork for a new chapter in his career.

Lindenmeyer's financial services background provided him with valuable technical skills, such as structuring assets and leveraging impact. However, it was the school of philanthropy that helped him understand the motivations behind individuals' desire to make an impact and how to translate those goals into action.

To further develop his expertise, Lindenmeyer enrolled in the online master's program in philanthropic studies at the university. He completed one course per semester while continuing to work full-time, a demanding schedule that required careful time management.

Lindenmeyer credits the program with helping him land his dream job as a gift planning officer at the University of Notre Dame. In this role, he assists families in building giving into their estate plans using tools like donor-advised funds and charitable remainder trusts. Several of his colleagues at Notre Dame have also pursued or are currently working on completing the IU degree.

Lindenmeyer's commitment to philanthropy extends beyond his professional pursuits. He is now pursuing a master's in nonprofit administration at Notre Dame, which he expects to complete in 2028. His experience highlights the value of studying philanthropy and the benefits it can bring to one's career and personal life.

The growing wealth of billionaires has sparked both excitement and criticism, particularly when it comes to charitable giving.

While billionaire wealth surged by over 16% in 2025, reaching a record $18.3 trillion, charitable donations grew at a much slower pace, increasing only 3% after adjusting for inflation.

This disparity has raised questions about the ultrawealthy's commitment to philanthropy, with some arguing that they are not giving quickly enough. However, there are notable exceptions, such as MacKenzie Scott, who has donated over $26 billion and accounted for one-third of America's megagifts last year.

The fortunes of many wealthy individuals continue to grow, driven in part by the success of tech stocks and optimism around artificial intelligence. For instance, Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, recently made a significant donation to Vanderbilt University.

As more wealth is created, there is an increasing expectation that younger heirs will be encouraged to give away their money sooner rather than later. This presents an opportunity for students at Indiana University, who are learning about philanthropy and how to make a meaningful impact with their own lives.

The $124 trillion Great Wealth Transfer is a significant event that has the potential to reshape philanthropy globally. However, it appears that not all wealthy Americans are confident in their heirs' ability to continue their family's charitable giving. According to a 2026 Bank of America Private Bank study, this lack of confidence suggests a shift in how wealth is being transferred.

Lindenmeyer, who works with aging baby boomers, has witnessed firsthand the decision-making process surrounding the distribution of wealth among this demographic. He notes that the concept of the Great Wealth Transfer was initially associated with the retirement boom for baby boomers and their subsequent passing down of wealth to younger generations. As these individuals age, they are now considering where their wealth will go next.

This presents an opportunity for philanthropic education to play a more significant role in ensuring that the wealth transfer is used for good. With a 100% job placement rate at Indiana University, students there are already learning about philanthropy and its impact on society. Ultimately, this could lead to a smoother transition of wealth from one generation to the next, with a greater emphasis on charitable giving.