Bethel University was recently awarded $91,020 from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its initiative, Indiana Youth Programs on Campus (IYPC). This was the second round of funding for this initiative. Bethel originally received $188,537 in 2022, which launched Pilot Summer Academy, expanding existing academic summer camps in nursing, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and culture and expanding opportunities for youth in our community.
With the initial IYPC funding, Bethel was able to expand the capacity of academic camps, offer income-based scholarships and offer new camps, including nursing, physics, esports, culinary, and advanced art. Bethel also started the College Preparation Camp program, which engages students from low-income families in local high schools and provides them the opportunity to explore college preparation including testing, scholarships, and degree programs.
Over the course of three-year grant program (covering the summers of 2023, 2024 and 2025) camp registration has nearly doubled (increased by 81%). Based on these successes, Bethel was granted additional funding through the Lilly Endowment’s IYPC Round II initiative. With this funding, Bethel will continue to expand camp capacity and opportunities while offering income-based scholarships to St. Joseph County residents.
About Lilly Endowment
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic 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.
About IYPC
Indiana Youth Programs on Campus (IYPC) is a new Lilly Endowment initiative designed to help Indiana colleges and universities in their efforts to create new or expand and enhance existing high-quality, on-campus programs for Hoosier youth, ages five to 18. Indiana public and private colleges and universities that have a physical campus in the state are eligible to participate. As of September 2022, the Endowment had awarded program implementation grants to 35 Indiana colleges and universities.
Bethel University, located in Mishawaka, Ind., is an accredited Christian university offering associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees with 120+ programs. Since 2005, Bethel has been recognized as a “best college” by U.S. News and World Report and is currently ranked No. 23 for social mobility. Bethel appears on Money Magazine’s “Best College in America 2025” list and has been recognized on Washington Monthly’s 2025 “Best Bang for the Buck,” “Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars” and “Best Master’s Universities” lists. Other recognition includes being designated as a 2020 College of Distinction. Bethel’s nursing program is ranked No. 1 in the nation based on the percentage of graduates passing the BSN NCLEX (national licensure exam) for 2024-25. In 2025, Bethel Pilots received the 2025 NCCAA Presidential (All-Sport) Award for success in all NCCAA sports for the 2024-25 season.