Basic Needs

Improving access to essential basic needs

granted to initiatives supporting basic needs & economic mobility since 1982
granted to initiatives supporting basic needs & economic mobility since 1982
Providing essential basic needs to our most vulnerable communities

Right now, despite being employed, nearly 40% of Hoosier households cannot afford enough food, keep up with basic housing costs, find reliable transportation, and pay for adequate health services, according to United Way of Central Indiana.

As our communities continue to face high prices due to inflation, all sectors must work together to find solutions.

Empower all people to lead lives of dignity

In partnership with Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis, Glick Philanthropies is helping families create stability through housing. The Apartment Shelter Program aims to eliminate the trauma associated with a typical shelter experience and gives families a dignified home while working towards their long-term goals.

“They will never know the feeling my kids and I had when we walked in that apartment after spending months moving from place to place. Things aren’t perfect for me, but the love and support I get from Family Promise gives me the push I need to keep moving forward.” – Guest of the Apartment Shelter Program

Elevate food as a platform for positive individual and community outcomes

Glick Philanthropies believes that individuals shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table or paying rent. When individuals and families have the healthy, nutritious food they need to go to school, to work or to take care of loved ones, the whole community benefits. 

In 2024, Glick Philanthropies entered into multi-year partnerships with food banks in three key markets where Glick operates to ensure residents living in Glick Housing Foundation communities, as well as the broader community, have increased access to food.

Glick Community Relief Fund

Glick Philanthropies administers the Glick Community Relief Fund – an apartment community-nominated grant program focused on increasing healthy food access, expanding accessible transportation, connecting community members to utility assistance, and prioritizing mental health support. Since 2016, more than $6 million has been awarded to nearly 320 nonprofit organizations through this program.

2026

In 2026, Glick Philanthropies awarded $704,700 to 92 nonprofit organizations across nine states through the Glick Community Relief Fund.

“Nearly half of U.S. households are unable to afford the cost of living due to growing prices, stagnant wages, and a shrinking social safety net. Through programs like the Glick Community Relief Fund, Glick Philanthropies supports nonprofit organizations that are connecting our most vulnerable community members to resources to help them meet their basic needs.” — Ben Grande, director of philanthropy at Glick Philanthropies

Meet the 2026 Community Relief Fund Grantees
2025

In 2025, Glick Philanthropies awarded $770,000 to 107 nonprofit organizations across 12 states through the Glick Community Relief Fund.

“The efforts of these organizations are especially critical now as many of our neighbors will likely lose access to basic needs-related supports they rely on due to government funding cuts. Our work with the Glick Community Relief Fund allows us to help organizations that are making meaningful contributions to communities, families, and individuals across the country.” — Ben Grande, director of philanthropy at Glick Philanthropies

Meet the 2025 Community Relief Fund Grantees
2024

In 2024, Glick Philanthropies awarded $652,500 to 84 nonprofit organizations across 10 states through the Glick Community Relief Fund.

“A wide range of temporary COVID-era programs made more food and disposable income available to struggling households. Nearly all of those initiatives have now ended. We will focus on addressing the challenges of food insecurity at a neighborhood level through targeted, innovative grantmaking partnerships.” — Marianne Glick, chair of the Glick Family Foundation

Meet the 2024 Community Relief Fund Grantees

Featured Grantee

Meet Second Harvest Food Bank

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana envisions a future where every person in East Central Indiana is nourished and supported with stability and dignity. The organization has been a Glick Community Relief Fund grant recipient since the program’s inception in 2016.

  • 8
    counties served
  • 75K
    people served
  • 8.7M
    meals made possible in 2025

Grantmaking

Explore Glick Philanthropies’ most recent grants to organizations improving access to essential basic needs.

A Longer Table
Spring 2026

A Longer Table increases access to scratch-made meals in school cafeterias.

Aspire Higher Foundation
Spring 2026

Aspire Higher Foundation is building back the food system in the Northwest Landing neighborhood in Indianapolis.

Catholic Charities Indianapolis
Spring 2026

Catholic Charities Indianapolis provides emergency housing and comprehensive social services for families experiencing homelessness through the Holy Family Shelter.

Common Ground at Faith
Spring 2026

Common Ground at Faith is a collaborative community resource hub on the far eastside of Indianapolis and is increasing its capacity to provide multiple services under one roof.

Community Harvest Food Bank
Multi-year Partnership
Spring 2026

Community Harvest Food Bank alleviates hunger in Northeast Indiana.

Dare to Care
Multi-year Partnership
Spring 2026

Dare to Care works to address hunger relief across Kentuckiana.

Foster Success
Spring 2026

Foster Success is empowering self-sufficiency for young adults transitioning out of foster care.

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana
Multi-year Partnership
Spring 2026

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana distributes food to those in need and is developing a food packaging center to scale its impact.

Indiana Diaper Bank
Multi-year Partnership
Spring 2026

Indiana Diaper Bank is increasing its capacity to address diaper insecurity.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation Indianapolis
Spring 2026

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Indianapolis is a community development organization that is implementing the Far Eastside Quality-of-Life Plan—a resident-driven strategy to guide investment and revitalization in the neighborhood.

New Shoe Day
Mulit-year Partnership
Spring 2026

New Shoe Day scales impact to end shoe insecurity.

Nine13 Inc.
Spring 2026

Nine13 Inc. multiplies the force of food resource work with transportation solutions.

Prosperity Indiana
Spring 2026

Prosperity Indiana is addressing Indiana’s growing need for attainable housing through the creation of the Statewide Housing Trust Fund—a sustainable, cross-sector collaboration that will serve as a generator of affordable housing, human capital, and regional community economic development.

Second Helpings
Multi-year partnership
Spring 2026

Second Helpings provides food rescue, hunger relief, and job training.

Servants At Work
Spring 2026

Servants At Work (SAWs) provides handicap access ramps to allow those with disabilities or long-term mobility challenges in low-income households to re-engage with their communities.

The Julian Center
Spring 2026

The Julian Center supports survivors of domestic violence and abuse across Indiana.

Coburn Place
Multi-year Partnership
Fall 2025

Coburn Place provides compassionate support and safe housing options for survivors of domestic violence and their children.

Damien Center
Fall 2025

Damien Center delivers comprehensive health care, education, and support services for people living with or at risk for HIV in a safe and welcoming environment.

Eskenazi Health Foundation
Fall 2025

Eskenazi Health Foundation provides food vouchers to food-insecure community members on Indianapolis’s east side through the Food Is Medicine initiative.

Gennesaret Free Clinics
Fall 2025

Gennesaret Free Clinics works to meet the growing demand for free health care services.

Grassroot Projects
Fall 2025

Grassroot Projects builds equitable communities for immigrant and refugee children by removing barriers and empowering them to reach their full potential.

Immigrant Welcome Center
Multi-year Partnership
Fall 2025

Immigrant Welcome Center empowers immigrants to thrive in Indiana by providing comprehensive resources and support.

IndyGo Foundation
Fall 2025

IndyGo Foundation expands equitable access to transportation through the Mobility Access Fund.

Indiana Youth Group (IYG)
Fall 2025

Indiana Youth Group (IYG) grows programming that empowers LGBTQ+ young people and amplifies their voices to meet increasing demand.

Midwest Food Bank
Fall 2025

Midwest Food Bank will streamline logistics, reduce costs, and expand food distribution capacity through the Under One Roof campaign.

Partners in Housing
Fall 2025

Partners in Housing will support individual stability through housing, upgrade its donor management systems, and build fundraising expertise.

Project Period
Fall 2025

Project Period will expand its warehouse space to increase access to period products and advance efforts to eliminate period poverty.

Related News

Announcement

Meet the Spring 2026 Grant Recipients

Glick Philanthropies awarded more than $3.23 million to nonprofit organizations providing community members with opportunities for stability and growth.
Read More
  • 2026 Community Relief Fund Grants
    Announcement

    2026 Community Relief Fund Grants

    Glick Philanthropies awarded $704,700 to 92 nonprofit organizations across nine states through the Glick Community Relief Fund.
  • Meet the Fall 2025 Grant Recipients
    Announcement

    Meet the Fall 2025 Grant Recipients

    As Hoosiers’ reliance on nonprofit organizations grows, Glick Philanthropies is directing more than $2.55 million in grants to 44 nonprofit organizations.

Interested in chatting about basic needs?

Connect with Ben
Ben Grande

Ben Grande

Director of Philanthropy

We carry out our mission by leading and supporting efforts around:

Building Community
Basic Needs

Preserve and expand quality affordable housing that supports resident well-being

Creating Opportunity
Basic Needs

Expand opportunities in the arts to celebrate innovation, culture, and self-expression

Creating Opportunity
Basic Needs

Empower people to live lives of dignity with improved access to basic needs

Creating Opportunity
Basic Needs

Increase economic mobility by decreasing barriers to employment and education

Creating Opportunity
Basic Needs

Close achievement gaps in early childhood, K-12, and postsecondary education

Building Community
Basic Needs

Protect civil rights & liberties, strengthen journalism, and ensure fair elections

Building Community
Basic Needs

Ensure the Jewish community and cultural life are thriving for the next generation