Heather Dill

Christian, Educator/Teacher, Parent, Philanthropist

I am the president of the John Templeton Foundation, a philanthropy that my grandfather, John Templeton, established in 1987. We are based outside of Philadelphia, PA but we give grants to organizations across the world. I have been president for eight years, and in that time, the Foundation has awarded over 1,500 grants and donations totaling more than $1 billion. The John Templeton Foundation funds research and catalyzes conversations that inspire people with awe and wonder. The work supported by the Foundation crosses disciplinary, religious, and geographical boundaries across a range of subjects in the sciences, philosophy, and theology, from gratitude and hope to the psychology of purpose and positive neuroscience. I have had the opportunity to speak at events and for podcasts on living in a pluralistic world, on the research-supported benefits of a life of purpose, as well as the importance of intellectual humility. Learn more about the work of the John Templeton Foundation at www.templeton.org/news and check out our new Templeton Ideas podcast on Apple, Spotify or www.templeton.org/podcast.

Bridging divides

“Love is not a quantity that gets used up and then is either gone forever or must somehow be replenished. Rather, love is a quality that, when exercised and practiced, grows and becomes stronger.” – Sir John Templeton.

Leadership, Philanthropic pluralism, Philanthropy, Religion

The John Templeton Foundation sponsored TED2023. We hosted a lunch featuring the physicist Brian Greene and we are back again as a sponsor in 2024. We hope to meet new friends and to encourage reflection on what leads to a life full of purpose and meaning.

My husband and I have four teenage sons and I can still say that I'm a better snow skier than they are...but that will soon change, I am sure.