The Story Behind Lake Institute on Faith & Giving
Lake Institute on Faith & Giving was established in 2002 through the generosity of the late Thomas H. and Marjorie Lake and their daughter, Karen Lake Buttrey, and son-in-law, Donald Buttrey. The vision of Lake Institute was to explore a powerful idea: how faith shapes generosity, and how generosity shapes communities.
Today, Lake Institute convenes scholars, practitioners, congregational and faith-based leaders, and community leaders to deepen understanding about the connections between faith and giving. But the story of Lake Institute begins long before its founding in 2002, with the life and values of Tom and Marjorie Lake.
Roots in Faith, Family, and Community
For Tom Lake, generosity was not an abstract concept—it was something he witnessed as a child.
Growing up in the coal-mining town of Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, Tom watched his father return home from the mines and hand his pay envelope to Tom’s mother. Before anything else was done with the money, she would pause dinner preparations and set aside a portion for their church. That moment left a lasting impression.
Years later, Tom would recall how natural that practice felt in his community. People gave quietly, without recognition, simply because helping others was the right thing to do. If family and church were shaping influences on the young Tom Lake, so too was the Depression. Coming of age during the Depression, Tom Lake understood that you didn’t wait for the government to respond. You didn’t wait for someone else to take action. “We were all in it together,” he remembered.
These early experiences shaped Tom’s understanding of generosity: giving was not about wealth or recognition rather it was about responsibility, faith, and community.
A Life of Leadership and Stewardship
After studying pharmacy and chemistry at Temple University, Tom served in the U.S. Army during World War II before beginning a lifelong career at Eli Lilly and Company in 1946. He eventually became the company’s president in 1973.
Alongside his corporate leadership, he served for decades with Lilly Endowment, joining its board in 1966 and serving as chairman from 1977 to 1992. Through his work with the Endowment and with Eli Lilly himself, Tom deepened his understanding of stewardship.
As he later reflected, philanthropy was not simply about giving money away it was about sharing something of oneself.
Thomas H. Lake (left), presents a donation to Father Boniface Hardin (center). Credit: Indianapolis Recorder Collection, Indiana Historical Society
A Partnership in Life and Giving
Tom’s life and generosity were deeply intertwined with his wife, Marjorie Lytle Lake.
The two grew up together in Saltsburg and shared a lifelong commitment to faith, education, and community service. Marjorie graduated from the College of William & Mary with a degree in economics before the couple married in 1944.
Their philanthropic work was often quiet and personal. Marjorie devoted significant time to volunteer service, including work with Crossroads Nursery School in Indianapolis, which supported children with severe disabilities. Together, the Lakes supported educational, religious, and community organizations across Indianapolis, including their church, Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis.
For the Lakes, generosity was simply a natural extension of faith.
A Legacy Continued
Following Tom Lake’s death in 1999, the family considered how best to honor his life. Tom had always avoided recognition for his giving, so the question was not simply how to memorialize him, but how to continue the values he lived by.
Tom’s widow Marjorie, their daughter Karen Lake Buttrey, and Karen’s husband Donald Buttrey began conversations with the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University (now part of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy). Located at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), the Center had already become a leading hub for research and education in philanthropy. The Center officially became the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in 2012.
Together, they envisioned something larger than a memorial. They shared a vision for a program that would encourage reflection, scholarship, and conversation about faith and generosity.
After Marjorie Lake’s death in 2001, Karen Lake Buttrey expanded the vision further to honor both of her parents’ legacy.
In November 2002, Karen formally presented a $5 million gift to Indiana University to establish the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving. The gift included a memorial contribution from Lilly Endowment along with additional support from Karen and Don Buttrey.
The Institute was intentionally named to reflect its purpose: faith, signaling its interfaith and nondenominational mission, and giving, highlighting a broad exploration of generosity and philanthropy.
Continuing the Conversation
Since its founding in 2002, Lake Institute has grown into a leading center for research, education, and conversation at the intersection of faith and giving. Under the leadership of directors including Robert Wood Lynn, Dr. William Enright, and David P. King, PhD, the Institute expanded its work through national research initiatives, leadership programs for congregational leaders, and educational offerings such as the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising.
2005 Advisory Board
Over the years, Lake Institute has launched major research projects, hosted national convenings and public events, and developed programs that equip faith leaders and donors to practice generosity with intention and purpose. Through these initiatives, Lake Institute continues to honor the values of Tom and Marjorie Lake by fostering thoughtful reflection, practical learning, and deeper understanding of how faith inspires giving and strengthens communities.
2014 Lake Lecture
As Karen Lake Buttrey once reflected, the recognition of the family name would have meant little to her parents. What would have mattered most is that the values they lived by—faith, stewardship, and service—continue to shape the lives of others.
2026 Lake Institute on Faith & Giving Staff Members
Read more about the history of Tom and Marjorie Lake and the birth of Lake Institute on Faith & Giving.