Total immersion – Visiting Scholar at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy 

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of being a visiting scholar at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in Indiana, USA, and was the first ‘kiwi’ at the school. 

The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, Indianapolis, is unique in that it not only teaches philanthropy from a bachelor’s degree through to doctoral level, but it also has a number of research institutes and a fundraising school.  

Alongside my role as Director, Alumni and Development at Lincoln University in New Zealand, I am studying part-time towards my doctorate. I spent two months immersed at the Lilly School as a Visiting Scholar, and alongside my study and research, I took two courses at The Fund Raising School. I met some incredible people along the way from not only from all corners of the USA but from around the world.   

I am very grateful to Lincoln University for granting me study leave and the opportunity to immerse myself in my academic research and the practice of philanthropy in the USA. I wish to acknowledge the University of Canterbury, with whom I am a postgraduate student, for their support. And I would like to express my immense gratitude to the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and to Dr Kathi Badertscher, Assistant Dean, who helped make my visit possible. 

The staff at the Lilly Family School are incredible for their breadth and depth of knowledge, including Dr Bill Stanczykiewicz, Director, The Fund Raising School, who will be leading a workshop and speaking at next year’s Educate Plus International Conference. I encourage you to get along if you can.  

By Naomi Wilde
NZ Chapter Committee Member