The IUPUI Philanthropic Studies Archives collects paper or digital documents, datasets, photographs, audiovisual materials, scrapbooks, and other formats that provide information about the history and development of philanthropy. Inspired by the work of Robert L. Payton, we define philanthropy as “voluntary action for the public good.”
Areas of interest include:
Non-profit organizations
We collect the records of a variety of public charities, private foundations, affinity groups and other non-profit organizations of international and national significance. Non-profits of regional significance to the Midwest and local significance to Central Indiana are welcomed. We firmly believe that collections of primarily local and regional significance should reside in the communities in which they were created and are happy to recommend repositories for such collections when they do not fit our collection policy.
Fundraisers and Consultants
We collect the records and papers of organizations and individuals participating in fundraising activities for charitable organizations with international, national, or regional significance on a case-by-case basis.
Philanthropic Studies Faculty and Professionals
We collect the papers of philanthropy faculty and professionals to support the Philanthropic Studies Archives, evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Prospective donors outside of the Indiana University system should first seek to deposit their papers with their home institution(s) or the organizations in which they are embedded.
Teaching materials
We accept materials related to IUPUI courses, including syllabi, instructor-created lecture materials, handouts, exams, and paper topics. The records of individual students and grade books containing personally identifiable materials will not be accepted. Materials produced outside of the IU system will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Research materials
We accept unique materials that are the products of scholarly research, including data sets, field notes, substantive correspondence, oral histories, or interviews. For most types of research, publication is the primary record of research activity. For IUPUI employees, research products should be included in IUPUI ScholarWorks whenever possible. We do not collect photocopies of published materials or archival materials held in other repositories.
Professional activities
Academic records created through participation in committees, faculty governance, or administrative roles are institutional records. Only IUPUI materials in this category will be accepted. Records of activities conducted as a member of professional organizations, particularly as an officer of an organization, belong to the particular organization and should be transferred accordingly. Professional presentations and substantive professional correspondence unrelated to the types described above will be considered for inclusion in the archives.
Personal papers
Correspondence, photographs, and family-related materials will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with preference to collections that fit with our overall collecting scope in the Philanthropic Studies Archives and the University Archives.
National Service
We collect records related to the development of national service programs, including the Corporation for National and Community Service, other government service programs, nonprofit organizations coordinating with or receiving funding from governmental entities, and individuals participating in service. Papers from Returned Peace Corps Volunteers with strong ties to Indiana are considered, but others should contact American University about their Peace Corps Community Archive.
Community Activism
We recognize that not all philanthropy happens through 501(c)(3) organizations or fundraising activities. We seek to document less formal philanthropic work, much of which manifests as community activism and mutual aid. We will evaluate inclusion of informal philanthropy on a case-by-case basis, with an emphasis on Central Indiana.