New York, NY- Nov. 27, 2024 – Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded $15M to Girls Inc. to invest in character development, a cause that is vital to the future of our country. The Girls Inc. Network is uniquely qualified to play a critical role in advancing this work, which will ensure that young people mature into engaged, responsible and caring adults through the intentional development of a range of positive character traits.

The grant will fund staff training to attract, develop, and retain the best professional staff in the youth development sector and create research-informed resources and programming for the 114,000 girls Girls Inc. serves annually. Programming will help participants tap into their inherent curiosity, critical thinking, honesty, courage, compassion, and leadership, among other skills integral to personal growth and crucial for working collaboratively across differences and thriving in a variety of environments.

“Every day, our staff help nurture traits like emotional intelligence, empathy, and bravery —qualities that form the foundation of leadership and help girls connect more deeply with their sense of self and purpose,” said Girls Inc. President & CEO Dr. Stephanie J. Hull. “With its 160-year history of leadership development expertise, Girls Inc. is well positioned to advance this initiative and expand our work. We look forward to doing so alongside our fellow grantees. Together, we will build a new generation of exemplary leaders who will move our communities forward.”

The new character development effort is being funded through Character Development Through Youth Programs, a Lilly Endowment initiative designed to help youth-serving organizations create, test, implement and sustain strategies that support character development in the young people they serve in chapters and affiliates throughout the nation. Girls Inc. is one of eight organizations being funded through the initiative.

Girls Inc. is honored to join a distinguished group of grantees in the youth services sector whose work will be supported by Lilly Endowment. These awards reflect Lilly Endowment’s long-standing dedication to the healthy development of young people and the success of the communities that support them.

To learn more about Lilly Endowment’s vision for character development as well as about the other grantees, please click here.

About Girls Inc.
Girls Inc. is a network of local organizations that works with schools and in communities
across the United States and Canada. Through direct service and advocacy Girls Inc.
equips girls—particularly girls from low-income communities and girls of color—with the knowledge and skills to effect positive changes in their lives and to become leaders who will change the world. Professionally trained staff and volunteers provide mentorship, safe spaces, and programming that address the unique challenges girls face and are proven to help girls succeed. Together with partners and supporters, Girls Inc. is building the new generation of leaders.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although gifts of stock remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. The Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion.

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