Lilly Endowment aims to deepen and enrich the religious lives of American Christians by supporting congregations and their leadership. It focuses on ensuring congregations have leaders who are wise, faithful, and well-prepared, helps Christians draw on their theological traditions to face contemporary challenges and live their faith fully, and fosters public understanding of religion's role in civic well-being.
The Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative seeks to fund museums, historical sites, and cultural organizations planning exhibitions, educational programs, or activities that present fair, accurate, and balanced portrayals of religion's role globally and within the U.S. With a budget up to $78 million, this initiative offers planning grants up to $100,000 and implementation grants up to $2.5 million for roughly 30 organizations. Projects that promisingly incorporate religion into interpretive activities and public programs are prioritized, aiming to enhance public understanding and respect for diverse religious traditions.