Ambrose University Receives $1 Million Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

Ambrose University Receives $1 Million USD Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to Develop AmbroseHUBS Program 

Calgary, Alberta – October 20, 2025 – Ambrose University has received a $1 million USD project-based grant (distributed over five years) from Lilly Endowment Inc. The grant is specifically to support the development of AmbroseHUBs, an innovative program at Ambrose Seminary designed to make theological education more accessible to students across Canada through partnerships with local churches and ministry organizations.

The program is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, which helps theological schools across the United States and Canada strengthen their educational and financial capacities to prepare and support pastoral leaders for Christian congregations both now and into the future.

AmbroseHUBs consists of regional learning communities that allow students to pursue accredited ministry education while remaining rooted in their local ministry contexts. Through these partnerships, students receive academic instruction from Ambrose Seminary faculty and formative mentoring from local ministry leaders, creating a holistic environment for leadership development and spiritual growth.

The grant will enable Ambrose Seminary to:

• Partner with two Christian camps and two congregations to create an eight-month academic credit discipleship program that begins in camp settings and grows into the life of the church.
• Help young adults cultivate spiritual formation, vocational discernment, and leadership capacity through a certificate program.
• Design and deliver a program that bridges camp and congregational experiences. Support faculty, mentors, and partners who will walk alongside students in their formational journey.
• Undertake research that deepens the understanding of how today’s young people are called, shaped, and prepared for ministry.

“We are deeply grateful to Lilly Endowment for this generous support,” said Rev. Dr. Bryce Ashlin-Mayo, President of Ambrose University. “This grant will help Ambrose Seminary extend its reach and impact by equipping more leaders where they are already serving. AmbroseHUBs embody our commitment to accessible, community-based theological education that forms Christ-centred leaders for churches and ministries across Canada.”

Ambrose Seminary would like to acknowledge the support of the Flourishing Congregations Institute [FCI] in the preparation of its successful Lilly Endowment grant proposal. Ambrose Seminary is one of 163 theological schools being funded by Lilly Endowment through its Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, which began in 2021.  Together the theological schools serve a broad spectrum of Christian traditions in the U.S. and Canada — including evangelical, mainline Protestant, nondenominational, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Catholic, Black church, Latino, Asian American, Indigenous, and historic peace church communities.

“Theological schools have long played a central role for most denominations and church networks in preparing and supporting pastoral leaders who guide congregations,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s Vice President for Religion. “These schools are paying close attention to the challenges churches are facing today and will face in the foreseeable future. The grants will help these schools engage in wide-ranging, innovative efforts to adapt their educational programs and build their financial capacities so they can better prepare pastors and lay ministers to effectively lead the congregations they will serve in the future.”

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff, and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown of Indianapolis and home state of Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grant making is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities.

Media Contact:

Matt Stuart
Communications Director
Ambrose University
communications@ambrose.edu  
403-975-4040