The Lilly Endowment’s National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life seeks to inspire and help people from diverse backgrounds come to know and love God through the discovery, production, and dissemination of compelling stories about Christian faith and life. This initiative encourages charitable organizations to identify and share stories that exemplify vibrant and authentic Christian experiences, aiming to portray hope and faith through various media formats.
Grants of up to $5 million will be awarded to up to 30 organizations to develop and implement storytelling projects that align with the initiative's goals. The program follows a two-stage process: first, interested organizations submit concept papers, and second, selected organizations use planning grants to prepare detailed implementation proposals. Planning grants of up to $50,000 each will assist up to 30 organizations in refining their concepts and preparing for the subsequent implementation stage.
Eligible organizations must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities with a demonstrated interest in Christian faith and life. Concept papers must describe potential projects that align with the initiative's three key objectives: identifying compelling stories of Christian faith, producing these stories in various media, and sharing them broadly across diverse contexts and audiences. Concept papers are due by February 24, 2025, and must be submitted as a single PDF via the online application form provided by the Endowment.
Organizations that submit promising concept papers will be notified of planning grant awards in Spring 2025. These grants will support the development of high-quality proposals for the second-stage implementation grants. The Endowment will host virtual information sessions to assist prospective applicants, scheduled for January 16 and January 23, 2025, at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Registration is required, and participation is limited to two representatives per organization.
Interested applicants should review the Request for Concept Papers and complete the required forms, including the Concept Paper Information Form and the Exempt Status/Charity Foundation Status Information Form, available on the Endowment’s website. Questions about the initiative can be directed to storytelling@lei.org. This initiative provides an opportunity to creatively share impactful stories that showcase the vibrancy and hope inherent in Christian faith and life.
