The Lilly Initiative for Vocational Exploration was launched at Simpson College in July 2003 from a grant received from the Lilly Endowment.

The Lilly Endowment:

• The Lilly Endowment, created in 1937, is a private philanthropic foundation based in Indianapolis.  The Endowment was founded by members of the Eli Lilly family, whose company manufactures a wide variety of pharmaceuticals.  The company is known for its leadership in community service, care for the environment, and employee-friendly policies.
• The Endowment supports the causes of religion, education, and community development.  The Programs for the Theological Exploration of Vocation, the area of the Endowment which funds Simpson's Lilly grant, has awarded similar grants to a total of 88 church-related liberal arts colleges.