NEW GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Lilly Endowment Exploring Christian Practices Initiative
Lilly Endowment Inc. recently announced the Exploring Christian Practices Initiative, inviting eligible charitable organizations to apply for grants of up to $2.5 million over five years. These competitive grants aim to develop or expand programs that help individuals from diverse backgrounds explore Christian practices, engage with spiritual questions, build community, and grow in faith. In response to increasing spiritual curiosity, especially among younger generations, the initiative encourages organizations to adapt, adopt, and implement practices rooted in their theological traditions in settings both inside and beyond congregations. The Endowment expects to award approximately 60 grants to organizations that demonstrate creativity, capacity, and sustainability. An Interest Form and a one-page Letter of Interest are due by March 25, 2026, with full proposals due by May 18, 2026. Grant winners will be announced in December 2026. For full details and an interest form, click here.
MAGAZINE
An Intricate Collaboration
Candler School of Theology at Emory University is expanding access to theological education through La Mesa Academy for Theological Studies, a community-centered program for working, nontraditional ministers. Supported by a Lilly Endowment Pathways for Tomorrow grant, La Mesa offers a flexible, affordable, two-year certificate program that emphasizes intercultural, theological, digital, and cultural literacies. With online learning, summer residencies, and instruction in English, Spanish, and Korean, the program serves as a “bridge” — not a barrier — strengthening ministers and, in turn, the church. Read “An Intricate Collaboration” here.
What do you think? Email us here with your thoughts.
Also, in the Winter 2026 issue of In Trust:
- New Lilly grants spur more innovation in the field. Lilly Endowment Inc. has expanded its Pathways for Tomorrow initiative with a fresh round of funding, bringing total investment in U.S. and Canadian theological schools to more than $700 million. The latest awards include 58 individual-school grants and 45 collaborative grants, ranging from $2.5 million to $10 million, supporting creative projects that strengthen theological education, foster collaboration, and expand access for non-traditional students. The In Trust Center also received a $2.5 million grant to continue coordinating the initiative alongside the Association of Theological Schools, helping schools share insights and grow new models for ministry formation. Read the full story here.
- Treading on fresh ground. Innovation in theological education is a habit of discernment rooted in mission. That’s the focus of a new In Trust Center video series, “Practicing Innovation,” where host Greg Henson, D.Min., president of Kairos University, interviews Jeff Carter, D.Min., president of Bethany Theological Seminary. They emphasize the importance of leading with patience and discernment during periods of disruption, rather than rushing toward quick fixes. They also recommend grounding innovation in mission and engaging thoughtfully and long-term, honoring both tradition and the evolving needs of students and communities. Read the full article here. Listen to the podcast here.
- Did you get your magazine? If you’ve moved or don’t receive In Trust magazine (a magazine subscription comes with your membership to the In Trust Center for Theological Schools), you can update your information or ask to be placed on the magazine list by emailing us.
Full issue: You can read the Winter 2026 issue of the magazine on the website here.
PODCAST
What does faithful leadership look like for theological schools in 2026?
In this forward-looking conversation, Frank Yamada of the Association of Theological Schools and Amy Kardash of the In Trust Center reflect on a season of both turbulence and possibility. Joined by host Matt Hufman, they explore how creativity and collaboration are emerging amid regulatory uncertainty, financial pressure, and leadership transition. Drawing on recent data, grant initiatives, and board research, the discussion points to cautious optimism, highlighting enrollment growth, new approaches to theological formation, and the implications of artificial intelligence for higher education. The episode closes with timely questions for school leaders and boards as they plan for the year ahead. Listen to Ep. 101: Regulation, Resilience, and Renewal: A 2026 outlook for theological education here.
Other recent episodes include:
- What decades of governance still have to teach us. To understand new governance trends, look to enduring wisdom. Governance expert Rebekah Basinger, Ed.D., reflects on what theological schools can learn from lasting board leadership principles, even amid financial, regulatory, and post-COVID pressures. She cites challenges like executive turnover and fatigued boards, while offering a hopeful vision of governance rooted in fiduciary responsibility, strong relationships, and shared stewardship of mission. Listen to Ep. 100: What decades of governance still have to teach us here.
- Rethinking value: How theological schools can thrive in a changing world. Host Matt Hufman speaks with the Rev. Dr. David Rowe about the sweeping shifts impacting higher education and what they mean for theological schools navigating demographic decline, reduced church demand, and tightening revenue streams. Rowe makes a compelling case: schools can’t afford to rely on legacy assumptions. They must clearly clarify their value proposition by understanding what students truly need and are willing to invest in. He breaks down the difference between service, experience, and transformational models of education, and why each requires its own economic strategy. Listen to Ep. 99: Rethinking value: How theological schools can thrive in a changing world here.
VIDEOS
Practicing Innovation
Video series to inspire your work.
In this six-part recorded collection, leaders from across theological education share real stories and practical insights from their own journeys of innovation. Each conversation explores a unique aspect of practicing innovation, offering fresh perspectives and actionable ideas you can bring into your context. From community formation and governance to organizational culture and innovation over time, these sessions are designed to inspire and equip your work in faithful and forward-thinking ways.
OF INTEREST
Faith, culture, and influence
A new report from the Pew Research Center (featured in the Winter 2026 issue of In Trust magazine) suggests that the influence of religion is growing, but with important nuance, especially around the tensions many people experience between faith and culture. What does this mean for your institution? How do you understand and exercise your influence? And how are you preparing students, faculty, staff, and boards to navigate conflict between religious belief and cultural expectations? We invite you to reflect and share your insights with us at editors@intrust.org.
See additional statistics here.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Board Development Grants: Supporting action-oriented initiatives
Board Development Grants provide up to $10,000 USD to support action-oriented board development initiatives that advance your governing or advisory board’s strategic priorities. These grants are designed to serve as a catalyst for meaningful growth and help propel your board forward in its work. Applications for the next grant cycle will be accepted from February 2, 2026, through March 2, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET.
To learn more about grant details, eligible projects, and how to apply, view the informational video and visit the Board Development Grant webpage. Questions can be directed to boardgrants@intrust.org.
Resource Grants: Turning ideas into action
The In Trust Center will open its next Resource Grant cycle in March 2026. These matching grants of up to $15,000 help member schools engage external expertise to address strategic challenges and pursue innovative opportunities. Specifically, they target supporting projects that strengthen a school’s mission, encourage new thinking, and invest in adaptive change, from strategic planning and enrollment initiatives to curricular innovation and new educational models. All current member schools are eligible, except those that received a Resource Grant in 2025. Grantees complete a mid-year update and a final report. Full details are available here.
SPONSORED
Introducing the ACEO Health Plan
AdminWise Shared Services is pleased to introduce the Association of Church Educational Organizations (ACEO) Health Plan, an exclusive health insurance option for ATS seminaries and church-related colleges. This sustainable, cost-effective solution helps institutions address rising employee health insurance costs while continuing to offer competitive benefits. Participants benefit from greater flexibility, reduced regulatory burden, subsidies, enhanced bargaining power, and shared governance to ensure institutional needs are met. Learn more at www.adminwise.org or contact ron.ringenberg@adminwise.org | 574-370-0345.
