Cindy M. Lott

Cindy M. Lott is a Clinical Professor at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and a faculty member at Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She is also an attorney specializing in nonprofit leadership, governance, and legal compliance. Her work bridges academia and practice through national regulatory policy initiatives.

Education:

• J.D., Yale Law School, 1993
• B.A., Indiana University, 1989

Research Interests: Focuses on charitable regulatory frameworks, nonprofit management strategies, ethics in nonprofit operations, and the intersection of law/policy with philanthropy. Develops national convenings on state/federal regulation of nonprofits and advises on compliance challenges.

Awards & Fellowships:

• Stead Policy Fellow (Indiana University)
• Urban Institute Center on Nonprofits Fellow
• Independent Sector Inaugural Policy Fellow

Professional Contributions: Leads the Charities Regulation and Oversight Project, serves as Executive Director for the National State Attorneys General Program at Columbia Law School, and advises the IRS Advisory Committee on Tax-Exempt Entities (2015–2018).

Key Roles:

• Adjunct Faculty, Columbia Law School
• Former Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
• Chief Counsel, 2004 Democratic National Convention