Clay Robbins ’79, chairman and CEO of Lilly Endowment, Inc., was honored this month by the city of Indianapolis with the Charles L. Whistler Award, recognizing decades of civic leadership that has helped shape the city’s cultural, economic, and public landscape.
The Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC) and Mayor Joe Hogsett presented Robbins with the annual award, which has been given by the mayor of Indianapolis since 1983 to individuals whose work beyond their professional responsibilities has strengthened Indianapolis through collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“Clay Robbins embodies the essence of civic leadership that this award represents,” said Mayor Hogsett. “Through his work at Lilly Endowment and in countless community efforts, Clay has strengthened Indianapolis residents’ quality of life for generations to come.”
Hogsett pointed to Robbins’ role in major investments across the city, including parks, arts, and cultural institutions, as well as his ability to bring leaders together around long-term civic priorities.
"Clay understands the value of public and private spheres coming together for the betterment of our communities,” he said.
As a Wabash College graduate, Robbins earned his law degree from Indiana University and began his career as an attorney, eventually becoming a partner at Baker & Daniels (now Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath). He joined Lilly Endowment’s leadership team in 1993 and became president the following year.
Since then, the Lilly Endowment—one of the nation’s largest private foundations—has awarded nearly $3.9 billion in grants aimed at improving quality of life for all residents of Indianapolis. Robbins also worked closely with community and business leaders in the early 1990s to establish the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, an executive leadership collaboration focused on attracting technology companies and high-paying jobs to the region.
Hogsett described Robbins’ “impact on our city that borders on immeasurable,” citing both economic development efforts and investments in parks and public spaces that continue to define Indianapolis today.
The award ceremony was held Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Indiana State Museum, a building with its own ties to Robbins’ legacy. The Lilly Endowment played a key role in the museum’s establishment in 2002 during Robbins’ tenure. David Johnson, the 2022 Whistler Award recipient, highlighted that connection along with Robbins’ broader influence.
“Take a look around you,” Johnson said. “Take a look at this building. Take a look at White River State Park and where it sits. Take a look at the neighbors in this park—the NCAA Hall of Champions, The Eitel Jorg Museum, the ever-expanding Indianapolis Zoo, the parking garage where you parked this morning. None of those places would be here, we wouldn’t be here, were it not for the generous, visionary, and patient contributions of the Lilly Endowment under Clay’s leadership.”
Robbins, however, was quick to redirect praise to others.
“I am quite aware that any impact I’ve had is because of my role at Lilly Endowment,” said Robbins. “I have wonderful colleagues who have the intellect, judgement, character, and heart for our work."
In closing, Robbins shared a message written by Eli Lilly to shareholders in 1976, during a period of tension and national uncertainty: “Today, in spite of the difficulties, I still have great faith in the final good sense of my fellow man.”
Robbins echoed that sentiment: “Because I see so many people in this room today who are committed to making this city a vibrant and appealing place of opportunity for all, I too have hope for the future."