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Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society

“WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR”

Greetings! We’re glad for your visit to our webpage. The Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society, founded in 2013 and the first of its kind in Lithuania, exists to research and promote the love and service of our neighbors and communities. We are building a research agenda with fellows and partner universities in the multidisciplinary study of the philanthropic sector. We also conduct events on campus to promote philanthropic understanding and action among students. This dual emphasis supports LCC’s desire to be a flourishing academic community rooted in Christian faith that produces graduates who serve society.


I would be glad to talk with you further about the Institute and your interests.

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Dr. Andrew Williams
Director, Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society

Purpose Statement

The mission of the Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society is to research and promote the love and service of our neighbors and communities. 

We envision individuals and societies in which the love and service of neighbors, community, and refuge seekers—as exemplified in the parable of the Good Samaritan—are fundamental characteristics.

Research Agenda

In 2024, the Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society launched an academic journal, Philanthropia, on the study of philanthropy and civil society from the perspectives of the humanities. Our first issue includes an extensive literature review of scholarship on philanthropy from 1998 to 2023, which shows the overall paucity and decline in research from disciplines such as history, philosophy, literary studies, religious studies, classical studies, theology, linguistics, anthropology, ethics, communications, rhetoric, and political theory. Philanthropia welcomes high-quality original research from any of these areas.

The Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society collaborated with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy to write the first ever Global Philanthropy Environment Index (GPEI) reports for Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. In addition, Dr. Williams authored the GPEI report on the Baltic region. 

The Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society also collaborated with the LCC Center for Research on Faith and Human Flourishing to host the 2025 research conference on “Philanthropy and Human Flourishing” in Lithuania. The interdisciplinary conference included philosophers, historians, social scientists, and theologians from Europe, Africa, and North America.

Likely 2026 research collaborations include another research conference, this time in North America, and a special issue for the journal Philanthropia.

We remain open to additional collaborative research opportunities.

Our staff and research fellows regularly publish original research in the field of philanthropic studies. We are open to additional research fellows who align with the mission and vision of LCC and the Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society.

What is philanthropy?

voluntary action intended for the public good

Philanthropy is one of the seven core distinctives of LCC. But what is philanthropy? We adopt the definition promoted by the pioneering scholar of philanthropy, Dwight Burlingame: philanthropy is “voluntary action intended for the public good.”

Working to enhance human welfare around the globe

This statement encompasses everything from informal support of one’s friend or neighbor to local organizations to billion-dollar foundations and transnational non-governmental organizations working to enhance human welfare around the globe. Burlingame’s definition also acknowledges the difficulty and messiness of work that is “intended” for good, but falls short of that goal at times.

Legacy of LCC

LCC has a rich history of voluntary action that has advanced the public good in Klaipeda, in Lithuania, and internationally. The Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society is a product and steward of that legacy.

Teaching philanthropy

The Institute operates under the auspices of the International Relations and Development (IRD) department at LCC, which offers a variety of courses in philanthropy and related subjects. These courses include:

  • Introduction to Development (IRD 102)
  • Introduction to Conflict Studies (CST 200) 
  • Conflict Analysis (CST 300)
  • Development Cooperation Policy and Actors (IRD 302) 
  • Negotiation (IRD/CST/BUS 303) 
  • Research Methods (IRD 304) 
  • Project Management (IRD 305)
  • Conflict Transformation Models and Practice (CST 310)
  • Special Topics: Charity and Philanthropy (IRD 310)
  • Special Topics: Sustainable Development and World Hunger (IRD 310)
  • Special Topics: Human Rights (IRD 310/THE 310) 
  • Nonviolent Social Movements (IRD/CST/SOC 401)
  • Violence and Non-violence (IRD/CST/SOC 402)
  • Advocacy and NGOs (IRD/COM 420)

Research fellows

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Julianna Giannoutsou, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, International Relations & Development, Founder & Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society Co-Editor-in-Chief, Philanthropia

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Marty Sulek, Ph.D.

Editor of the Journal Philantropia

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News and Events

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Christianity and Civil Society Research Symposium

2026-05-15

The Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society, the Center for Research on Faith and Human Flourishing, and the Theology Department of LCC International University invite submissions for a research symposium on Christianity and civil society in Klaipeda, Lithuania, from October 30–31, 2026.Paper Topics:Papers should explicitly utilize or address Christian practices and/or theology.Papers could examine topics such as informal helping, humanitarian NGOs, para-church organizations, religiously motivated donors/volunteers, collaborations between civil society and government, congregational topics, etc.We welcome research on phenomena in our region of the world—with multiple possibilities for what is considered “our region.”We also welcome papers that are descriptive, supportive, or critical in their treatment of these topics.Abstract SubmissionPlease send abstracts of approximately 200 words to awilliams@lcc.lt by June 15, 2026.Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified by July 1, 2026.Questions may be sent to the same email address: awilliams@lcc.lt.Publishing OpportunityPapers that align well with the scope of Philanthropia, a peer-reviewed academic journal published by LCC International University, will be invited for submission to an upcoming issue.Philanthropia publishes original research on philanthropy and civil society from the disciplines of the humanities and normative theory. This scope includes theology and religious studies.For more information, please visit the journal’s website:https://philanthropia.lcc.lt/index.php/1/indexSymposium CostThere is no fee for attendance.Attendees who prefer off-campus housing, as on-campus housing is dormitory style, will be asked to pay for their own lodging. Hotel recommendations can be provided.Travel costs and food during the gathering will be covered by LCC.Download the Call for Abstracts Flyer (PDF) ↗
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