Cindy M. Lott

Cindy M. Lott is a Clinical Professor of Philanthropic Studies and Director of the Professional Doctorate in Philanthropic Leadership (PhilD) at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She also serves as a Stead Policy Fellow and holds affiliations with the Urban Institute’s Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy. Her expertise spans nonprofit management, ethics, governance, law, regulation, and policy. Lott has led national initiatives on state and federal regulation of charities since 2006, focusing on regulatory capacity and enforcement. She has held roles at Columbia University, including Academic Director for Nonprofit Management Programs, and previously served as Visiting Clinical Associate Professor at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, where she developed the Nonprofit Legal Clinic.

Education: J.D. from Yale Law School (1993) and B.A. from Indiana University (1989). Her career includes roles as Chief Counsel for the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Deputy Counsel for the 2000 Democratic National Convention, and Chief Counsel to the Indiana State Attorney General. She is admitted to practice law in D.C., Indiana, and Massachusetts.

Lott’s research emphasizes state and federal regulatory frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, and the evolving role of nonprofits in public policy. She co-authored key works on charitable solicitation laws, regulatory compliance, and the impact of federal-state dynamics on nonprofit sectors. Her advocacy includes contributions to the IRS Advisory Committee on Tax-Exempt Entities and leadership roles in organizations like Independent Sector and ARNOVA.

Her volunteer work includes co-founding Volunteers in Medicine clinics and serving on advisory councils for the Kinsey Institute and the Global Philanthropy Environment Index. Lott’s interdisciplinary approach bridges legal, academic, and practitioner perspectives to address challenges in nonprofit regulation and governance.