Core Points - Prison Fellowship has received a $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to enhance its mission of sharing transformative stories of faith from incarcerated individuals [1] - The grant is part of the National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life, aimed at increasing awareness of the Church's work within prisons [2][4] - The initiative will enable the sharing of stories through various media, including video, podcasts, and social media, to illustrate the impact of faith in challenging environments [2][4] Organization Overview - Prison Fellowship is the largest Christian nonprofit in the U.S. focused on serving currently and formerly incarcerated individuals and advocating for justice and human dignity [6] - The organization aims to break cycles of crime and promote revival through faith-based initiatives [6] Grant and Initiative Details - The National Storytelling Initiative has awarded grants to 60 organizations since 2024, including various media and nonprofit entities [3] - Lilly Endowment Inc. supports community development, education, and religion, with a focus on enhancing the vitality of Christian congregations [5]

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]

Core Points - Boys & Girls Clubs of America received a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support over 250 Clubs on or near Native lands, aiming to enhance access to high-quality programs for youth in these communities [1][2] - The grant will be utilized over three years to expand the capacity of the Clubs, focusing on leadership development, digital transformation, and program quality [1][7] - Boys & Girls Clubs of America serves more than 4 million youth annually, including 120,000 from Native communities, and has a long-standing commitment to supporting these communities [2][4] Funding and Support - The funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. will allow Boys & Girls Clubs to deepen their commitment to youth and Native communities through innovative and sustainable solutions [3] - Lilly Endowment has supported Boys & Girls Clubs for over 70 years, emphasizing the importance of character building and healthy relationships for youth success [3][6] Program Expansion - The grant will enable Boys & Girls Clubs to strengthen program quality in areas such as academics, mental health, and community engagement [7] - Investment in leadership development will provide training and resources for Club leaders and youth, enhancing long-term community capacity [7] - The initiative will also focus on advancing digital transformation to modernize technology infrastructure, particularly in rural and Native communities [7]