New Brunswick Theological Seminary Awarded $10 Million Lilly Endowment Grant
December 15, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Brunswick, NJ – December 15, 2025
New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS) has been awarded a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to strengthen the sustainability of theological education.
The grant, awarded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, enables NBTS to lead a national collaboration supporting seminaries and church-related schools in strengthening administrative and operational systems. It builds on AdminWise Shared Services, a nonprofit launched through earlier Lilly Endowment grants through the Pathways initiative to help schools improve financial stability, streamline operations, and better serve students and faculty. By relieving seminaries of operational burdens, the initiative allows them to focus on preparing leaders within their denominational, cultural, and ministry contexts.
“This is more than a grant, it’s a bold investment in the future of theological education,” said Rev. Micah L. McCreary, Ph.D., President of NBTS. “By working together in innovative ways, our institutions can focus on shaping faithful, courageous Christian leaders prepared for today’s ministry challenges.”
NBTS will use the new funding to expand the work of AdminWise Shared Services to provide partner institutions with support in recruitment, human resources, advancement, marketing and communications, information technology, healthcare, and other core functions. These efforts will help schools respond to shifting student needs, adapt to evolving ministry contexts, and address financial pressures across theological education.
AdminWise and NBTS will collaborate with nine other seminaries on the initiative, including Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, The Aquinas Institute, Bethany Theological Seminary, Eden Theological Seminary, Gammon Theological Seminary, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Turner Theological Seminary, and Western Theological Seminary.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Learn more about Lilly Endowment Inc. at LillyEndowment.org.
About New Brunswick Theological Seminary
Founded in 1784 and affiliated with the Reformed Church in America (RCA), New Brunswick Theological Seminary is the oldest seminary in the United States. NBTS offers M.Div., M.A., and D.Min. degrees, along with professional certificates for pastors, chaplains, and Christian leaders. Learn more at NBTS.edu.