Indy Standard

Today, the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) Foundation announced it has received a multi-year grant from the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation. The grant, which totals up to $5.5 million, is intended to support Destination 2032, an initiative aimed at increasing STEM engagement and career readiness among IPS students.

The program seeks to address challenges in STEM education, as national research indicates that 80% of future STEM professionals decide on their careers by age 14. Middle school is noted as a critical period where interest in STEM declines, especially among Black and Latinx students.

“With Destination 2032, we’re not just building programs — we’re creating pathways of opportunity that will transform lives,” said Stephannie Bailey, chief executive officer of the IPS Foundation. “This visionary investment from the Lilly Foundation comes at exactly the right moment, allowing us to intervene at the critical middle school years when so many students, especially those from underrepresented groups, begin to lose interest in STEM subjects.”

Dr. Aleesia Johnson, IPS Superintendent, commented on the significance of this grant: “This grant from the Lilly Foundation to the IPS Foundation represents a pivotal moment in IPS’s mission to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive in the STEM economy.” She emphasized that Destination 2032 builds upon existing efforts such as Rebuilding Stronger and aims to close gaps in STEM education for underrepresented students.

Cynthia Cardona, president of the Lilly Foundation, stated: “The Lilly Foundation is deeply committed to supporting education through efforts to enhance STEM education outcomes for underserved K-12 students in Indianapolis.”

The funding will be allocated over five years with plans for launching programs like the first cohort of Lilly Foundation STEM Scholars at William Penn Middle School during the second semester of the 2025-26 school year.