Catalyzing Entrepreneurial Energy to Improve Our Community

A thriving campus and local community will make Taylor an even better place to live, work, and study. Pursuing creative partnerships with local community leaders and private investors will lead to a robust ecosystem of care that will develop and strengthen our community. A $30 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. coupled with $24.5 million received in public and private investment propels the Main Street Mile Initiative.

By promoting creative business ventures and new ministry endeavors, Taylor will contribute to job growth and economic development in our local community and worldwide.

  • Address our physical and IT infrastructure needs, which will support modern learning and bolster our students' learning and living experience.
  • Make investments in our local community and the health of Grant County.
  • Explore interest in private investments in the area.
  • Develop a Collegiate Inn.

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$76M

As of March 2025

$115M Goal

Main Street Mile

Spurring Economic and Community Development

Taylor University was awarded $30 million through an initiative of Lilly Endowment called College and Community Collaboration. Taylor University and the Town of Upland are partnering in a comprehensive renewal project titled the Main Street Mile Initiative.

The grant, the largest donation in Taylor’s history, will spur economic and community development in Upland, Grant County, and the wider region. This comprehensive renewal project will activate and connect two pivotal nodes in the community via the north/south Main Street.

The campus/hospitality node will include a boutique collegiate inn, condominium guest cottages, and an active-adult neighborhood with Main Street as the connector to the downtown node featuring retail, dining, and start-up space to enable revitalization.

The “Path to Thriving” for Upland and Taylor University is leveraged by over $100 million of investments by the University. In addition to generous philanthropic investment, Taylor is inviting and exploring significant interest for public and private partnerships. 

 

  • 1846 Enterprises. The community and economic development organization spearheading the $100 million Main Street Mile Initiative.

  • Main Street. Improvements to pedestrian and vehicular ways as well as lighting and streetscapes, buoyed by State of Indiana investments through INDOT.

  • Collegiate Inn. Master Planned Community

  • Kerschner Commons. Single-family neighborhood expansion (22 lots).

  • Downtown Mixed-Use Spaces. 

  • Upland Town Square Development.

  • Expansion of Ivanhoe’s and nearby community park

Learn more: Upland Main Street Investment Fund (PDF)

A Thriving Community | Campaign Progress

Thanks to generous donors like you, the University has secured gifts, grants, and pledges to support these impactful initiatives.

2nd Street Residential Area for Faculty and Staff

A Second Street multifamily development (28 apartments)

Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Leveraging tools and creativity to solve societal problems collaboratively.

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Classroom Technology & IT Infrastructure

Strategic investments to improve security, secure cost savings, and streamline work.

Additional
Opportunities

Funding that addresses the most strategic initiatives with the greatest impact in the Life to the Full campaign.

Taylor University Broadcasting

Create a plan for WBCL to support the larger work of the University.

Upland Health Center and Invitation Program

Incremental improvements to the Health Center and investments that benefit our community and students in the health professions.