News Release

WINONA LAKE — Grace College is among 13 colleges and universities in Indiana receiving funds from Lilly Endowment.

That’s according to a press release from Lilly, which may be seen below:

“Lilly Endowment Inc. has approved grants to 13 colleges and universities in Indiana totaling more than $300 million to support community development projects jointly envisioned by the institutions and local stakeholders to improve quality of life and place in their communities.

“The Endowment awarded the five-year implementation grants, which range from more than $12 million to $32 million each, through its initiative, College and Community Collaboration. The competitive initiative is designed to encourage Indiana’s colleges and universities to work closely with community stakeholders to envision and jointly undertake significant community development efforts — beneficial to both the institution and community — to create more vibrant places in which to live, learn, work and play. As expressed by many college and university leaders, a vibrant local community is increasingly important to the institutions’ efforts to attract and retain faculty, staff and students.

“These new grants were approved in the competitive second and final round of CCC implementation proposals that were received by the Endowment earlier this year. The Endowment launched the CCC initiative in early 2023. Eligible Indiana colleges and universities could apply for and receive planning grants to help them identify and assess compelling needs and promising opportunities in their communities; develop plans to address the needs and opportunities; and prepare proposals to seek funding in support of those plans. The first round of implementation grants, which totaled $145.8 million, were announced in December 2023.

“The latest implementation grants in the CCC initiative, like those in the first round, will provide partial support for a variety of projects that the colleges and universities and their community stakeholders expect will enhance the quality of life and place on campuses and in their surrounding communities.”

According to the release, Grace is receiving $27 million grant “to partially support its multi-faceted initiative to advance innovation and create a more vibrant community through enhanced placemaking. Various projects include the creation of orthopedic and business innovation centers; the development and renovation of wellness facilities; and renovation of a performing arts and event space and a building that will house a childcare training center.”