March 25, 2016

Philanthropy and the Hoosier Spirit

Hoosier Philanthropy Conference
Basile Theater, Indiana Historical Society
Indianapolis, Indiana

Introduction

Thank you, Dean Pasic, and thank you all for coming this morning.

It is a great pleasure to be here this morning. On behalf of IUPUI, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Hoosier Philanthropy Conference.

Philanthropy and the Hoosier Spirit

Let me start by saying that when I first came to Indiana 30 years ago, I could tell this place was different. At that time, I wasn’t sure what Hoosier spirit meant, but I could see it and feel it in the way people treated each other.

I have come to understand that this spirit helps philanthropy thrive in Indiana. Integrity and generosity are part of Hoosier culture. From individuals to corporate citizens, we give of our time, talent, and treasure to help others succeed. And collectively we look toward the future as we seek to make a difference that will affect generations to come.

Integrity and generosity are part of Hoosier culture. From individuals to corporate citizens, we give of our time, talent, and treasure to help others succeed.

Philanthropic Leadership

To mobilize, organize, and plan for the future, we need leadership, and the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy provides the tools for such leadership.

Although this is our newest school on campus, the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy has deep roots in the Fundraising School and the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving.

Here at IUPUI, philanthropy as an academic discipline was born, and scholars at IUPUI and Indiana University have been integral in developing and refining that discipline. Like medicine, dentistry, law, and other professions that link theory and practice, the growth of philanthropy as a discipline brings with it professional standards as well as a system for preserving and transferring knowledge.

Ongoing, rigorous academic study, teaching and research are part of that system, and this is how we make progress in any area. The IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is driving that progress, and people around the world are paying attention. I’ve noticed that whenever we have international visitors on campus, they want to visit our school of philanthropy.