Dr. Anthony L. Heaven is an Assistant Professor of Philanthropic Studies at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, where he brings a wealth of experience from over a decade in the philanthropic sector. Before joining the Lilly Family School, Dr. Heaven held roles in donor relations, fundraising, and philanthropic consulting, culminating in his position as Vice President and Higher Education Practice Group Leader at Graham-Pelton. His career is marked by a commitment to advancing the discourse on philanthropy and justice, a commitment reflected in his extensive portfolio of conference presentations, panel discussions, and invited lectures.

Dr. Heaven has been a prominent voice at institutions and conferences nationwide, including CASE conferences—where he earned the designation of Faculty Star, the Advancement Lab, The University of Texas at Austin, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Florida, Arizona State University, and the University of Rochester, among others.

A proud graduate of Stillman College, a Historically Black College (HBCU), Dr. Heaven earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion/Theology. He went on to pursue advanced studies at The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned both a Master of Education (M.Ed.) and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership. His doctoral research, which received the Dissertation of the Year Award from the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, offers a critical examination of the lived experiences of African American development officers at predominantly White institutions. Dr. Heaven’s scholarly contributions and leadership continue to influence the field of philanthropy, particularly in advancing equity and justice within the sector.