Manchester University

Manchester University is using a $250,000 planning grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its College and Community Collaboration Initiative to explore collaborative community projects in Wabash County.

With the initiative, Lilly Endowment is helping Indiana colleges and universities envision and undertake projects with community stakeholders that enhance quality of life and place in their surrounding communities.  Aims of the initiative including helping colleges and universities attract and retain talented students, faculty and staff by enhancing the communities around them, building more vibrant places to learn, live, work and play.

“Lilly Endowment’s initiative aligns closely with planning already under way at Manchester and in Wabash County,” said Manchester President Dave McFadden. “Our success at attracting students and drawing top talent to the University often depends on what they find in the community around them.”

Many of the strategies in the Imagine One85 comprehensive plan for Wabash County, adopted in 2022, address the quality of place goals of the Lilly Endowment initiative, including affordable and attractive housing, engaging attractions and amenities, quality schools, and a welcoming community.

The next step is to examine those strategies to determine what proposal will best meet the area’s needs.

The University and community partners will begin by engaging a wide range of stakeholders, adding to the significant work already done in creating the Imagine One85 plan. The goal will be to identify a project or set of projects that benefit the University and county and meet the goals of the initiative.

Before submitting the planning grant proposal, McFadden met with dozens of Wabash County business and civic leaders to share information and brainstorm about which projects to pursue. A steering committee has begun meeting and will soon select a partner to help with community engagement and project development, aiming to submit an implementation grant proposal to Lilly Endowment in March 2024. The University is eligible to apply for an implementation grant of up to $25 million.

For the media

ABOUT LILLY ENDOWMENT

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

More about the College and Community Collaboration initiative https://lillyendowment.org/college-and-community-collaboration/

ABOUT MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY

Manchester University delivers innovative academic and rich, hands-on education to enhance student knowledge, personal growth and develop well-rounded leaders. Our programs, competitive curriculums and accepting environment are just some of the ways we continue to maintain a tradition of success. We strive to bring a wide spectrum of exciting programs across all areas of study to enable students to achieve their professional and personal goals. Manchester also provides rich immersive experiences to give students real-world opportunities. Whether inside or outside the classroom, our skilled faculty and staff are passionate about teaching, mentoring and supporting student success.

More about Lilly Endowment Inc. https://lillyendowment.org/

More about Imagine One85 https://www.growwabashcounty.com/imagine-one85/about

June 2023