Economic Mobility

Increasing equitable economic mobility

granted to initiatives supporting basic needs & economic mobility since 1982
granted to initiatives supporting basic needs & economic mobility since 1982
Every person should have the opportunity to reach their full potential

When – and only when – basic needs are met, opportunities for economic mobility become possible. Unfortunately, many barriers to achieving economic mobility exist, such as systemic injustice, access to education, financial resources, and geography.

Glick Philanthropies' basic needs and economic mobility efforts are closely aligned.

Glick Philanthropies supports nonprofit organizations that are busting barriers to empower individuals to access opportunity and reach their full potential, aiming to:

Empower adults to increase their earning potential through education and workforce training

Glick Philanthropies invests in organizations that help adults obtain educational and workforce credentials to increase their economic mobility.

Empower teens to achieve excellence in community, college & career

Through TeenWorks, Glick Philanthropies invests in high school students to gain valuable work experience and essential life skills to successfully navigate life beyond high school.

Featured Grantee

Meet TeenWorks

In 1981, Gene Glick founded Pro-100, a six-week summer youth employment program for economically disadvantaged youth in Indianapolis. Pro-100 taught teens the importance of self-discipline, a hard day’s work, and giving back to the community, and has since evolved into a standalone nonprofit organization known today as TeenWorks. Today, TeenWorks empowers teens to achieve excellence in community, college, and career. Glick Philanthropies continues to be TeenWorks’ largest funder and an active partner.

  • 40+
    years of empowering youth
  • 6000
    teens served
  • 4
    (and growing) cities in Indiana with programming

Grantmaking

Explore Glick Philanthropies’ most recent grants to organizations increasing economic mobility.

Bridge Project
Multi-year Partnership
Spring 2026

Bridge Project guarantees income and provides wraparound support programs for new mothers and their babies in need, including through the BIRTH Fund in Indianapolis.

Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis
Spring 2026

Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis supports families with minor children experiencing housing instability across Central Indiana through a housing-first, family-centered model that keeps families together.

Heartland Scholar House
Spring 2026

Heartland Scholar House fills cost gaps in housing, early childhood education, and healthcare so single parents can continue to pursue higher education opportunities without disruption. The Stabilization Bridge program will support Scholar families facing converging disruptions in housing vouchers, childcare vouchers, and Medicaid during 2026.

Child Advocates
Fall 2025

Child Advocates strengthens legal services to protect and empower vulnerable children.

Dress for Success
Fall 2025

Dress for Success empowers women to achieve economic independence through professional attire, career development, and support services.

Helping Veterans and Families of Indiana (HVAF)
Fall 2025

Helping Veterans and Families of Indiana (HVAF) provides mental health services for veterans.

Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute
Fall 2025

Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute advances research and advocacy focused on housing instability, medical debt, and predatory lending.

Indy Black Chamber of Commerce
Fall 2025

Indy Black Chamber of Commerce supports Black and minority entrepreneurs through education, access to capital, and business development resources.

Indy Reads
Fall 2025

Indy Reads provides tuition-free, culturally responsive literacy, English language, job readiness, and leadership programs that help low-income and marginalized adults build skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College
Fall 2025

Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College advances economic mobility through the Earn & Learn Program.

Side Hustle Economy
Fall 2025

Side Hustle Economy will grow its operational capacity in order to expand reach throughout Indianapolis’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

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
  • 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.
  • Supporting the Nonprofit Community
    Announcement

    Supporting the Nonprofit Community

    Everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. We want to take this opportunity to reiterate our values & beliefs, share resources, and celebrate nonprofits.

Interested in chatting about economic mobility?

Connect with Isaac
Isaac Mervis

Isaac Mervis

Portfolio Manager

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

Building Community
Economic Mobility

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

Creating Opportunity
Economic Mobility

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

Creating Opportunity
Economic Mobility

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

Creating Opportunity
Economic Mobility

Increase economic mobility by decreasing barriers to employment and education

Creating Opportunity
Economic Mobility

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

Building Community
Economic Mobility

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

Building Community
Economic Mobility

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