Howard University Receives $10M Gift from Lilly Endowment to Support Efforts to Advance Over 155 Years of Black Theological Education

Core Insights - Howard University has received a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support the launch of the Wisdom Keepers, Hope Seekers initiative, aimed at transforming pastoral leadership development among historically Black theological institutions (HBTIs) [1][3] - The initiative will establish Leadership Laboratories to connect HBCU undergraduates and Christian leaders with theological education opportunities, addressing modern ministry needs such as digital proficiency and financial literacy [2][4] - The grant is part of Lilly Endowment's Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, which has allocated over $700 million to strengthen theological schools and support collaborative efforts among them [4] Funding and Initiative Details - The $10 million grant will facilitate the creation of an interinstitutional endowment among HBTIs to support scholarships and reduce the average student debt burden of $54,000 [2] - The WKHS program aims to unite seven HBTIs, including Hampton University and Virginia Union University, to enhance educational pathways and shared faculty expertise [1][2] Institutional Impact - Howard University, as the only HBTI within an R1 research university, is positioned to combine rigorous scholarship with spiritual grounding, preparing future pastoral leaders for modern ministry demands [3] - The initiative is seen as a collaborative effort to strengthen the ecosystem for Black theological education, moving away from competition for resources [4]