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Eugene And Marilyn Glick Foundation Corporation

Annual Giving
$19.5M
Grant Range
$7K - $0.1M
Decision Time
7mo

Eugene And Marilyn Glick Foundation Corporation / Glick Philanthropies

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $19.5 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $297 million (approximate)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Semiannual grant cycles (twice per year)
  • Grant Range: Varies widely - from approximately $7,000 to $100,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Central Indiana (particularly Greater Indianapolis) and communities where Gene B. Glick Company manages properties (45 communities across 11 states)

Contact Details

Primary Contact:

Portfolio Managers by Focus Area:

  • Arts, Basic Needs, Economic Mobility, Jewish Cultural Life: Ben Grande
  • Education: Ryan Brady
  • Healthy Democracy: Hannah Riffle

Overview

The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Foundation Corporation, operating publicly as Glick Philanthropies, traces its roots to 1947 when Eugene B. Glick and Marilyn K. Gloffman married and founded Indianapolis Homes Inc., which became the Gene B. Glick Company. Gene's philanthropic motivation stemmed from a 1944 WWII experience—while under heavy shell fire, he made a personal commitment that if he survived, he would never forget that day. The foundation was formally established in 1982, with Glick Philanthropies created in 2015 to consolidate various charitable initiatives.

Since 1982, Glick Philanthropies has awarded more than $320 million to charitable causes, making it one of the most active private family foundations in Indiana. The organization is a family of charitable initiatives that includes the Glick Family Foundation, Glick Housing Foundation, the Glick Fund at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), and the Glick Fund at Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI). Together, these entities cultivate equitable communities by supporting initiatives and nonprofit organizations creating systemic change.

The foundation's mission is to "build community and create opportunity that empowers every person to reach their full potential," guided by core values of equity, compassion, and integrity. As Board Chair Marianne Glick states, "Almost everything we do is about equity," emphasizing that "Almost all of our grants are focused on making sure that people who might not otherwise have opportunities can receive them."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Glick Philanthropies organizes grantmaking into eight focus areas under two overarching themes:

Building Community:

  • Affordable Housing: Preserving and expanding quality affordable housing that supports lifelong resident and community success (through Glick Housing Foundation)
  • Healthy Democracy: Protecting civil rights and civil liberties, strengthening journalism, and ensuring accessible, free, and fair elections
  • Jewish Cultural Life: Ensuring the Jewish community and cultural life are thriving for the next generation in Central Indiana

Creating Opportunity:

  • Arts: Increasing equitable opportunities in the arts and creative expression
  • Education: Closing education access and achievement gaps
  • Basic Needs: Improving access to essential services
  • Economic Mobility: Creating pathways to financial stability

Community Relief Fund: A unique apartment property-nominated grant program focused on increasing healthy food access, expanding accessible transportation, connecting community members to utility assistance, and prioritizing mental health support. Recent grants averaged approximately $7,000 per organization ($770,000 to 107 organizations in 2024).

Multi-year Unrestricted Grants: Glick Philanthropies offers multi-year, unrestricted grants to select partner organizations, demonstrating a commitment to sustained, flexible funding for trusted nonprofits.

Priority Areas

Recent grant recipients reveal the foundation's current priorities:

  • Arts access for underserved populations: Youth arts programs, programs for people with disabilities, culturally grounded arts education
  • Food security and basic needs: Food banks, food rescue programs, diaper banks, utility assistance
  • Educational equity: Early childhood education, literacy programs, school equity advocacy, tech literacy
  • Civic engagement and journalism: Local news outlets, voter education, democracy advocacy
  • Economic mobility: Job training, business development, housing stability
  • Jewish community support: Jewish cultural organizations, camp programs, Holocaust education, senior services
  • Community development: Place-based initiatives, particularly on Indianapolis's Far Eastside

What They Don't Fund

While Glick Philanthropies does not publish explicit exclusions, their focused priority areas and invitation-only process suggest limited funding for:

  • Organizations outside Central Indiana and Glick Company property locations
  • Projects not aligned with their eight focus areas
  • Organizations not providing services to underserved or marginalized populations

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • Marianne Glick, Chair - Daughter of founders Eugene and Marilyn Glick
  • David O. Barrett, Vice Chair, President & CEO
  • Stacey Sunderman, Treasurer
  • Jim Bisesi, Secretary
  • Tom Grande, Chief Investment Officer
  • Jackie Barrett, Trustee
  • Arlene Grande, Trustee
  • Alice Meshbane, Trustee
  • Lynda Schwartz, Trustee

Key Staff:

  • Ryan Brady, Vice President
  • Ben Grande, Director of Philanthropy
  • Ben Tebbe, Senior Philanthropic Advisor
  • Hannah Riffle, Communications & Engagement Manager
  • Jennifer Vigran, Consultant

Leadership Perspectives

Marianne Glick on the foundation's equity focus: "Almost everything we do is about equity. Almost all of our grants are focused on making sure that people who might not otherwise have opportunities can receive them."

On the family's approach: "For more than 70 years, my family has been in the business of building community. Helping people – our residents and our neighbors – is at the heart of our approach."

On nonprofit impact: "Millions of people across the United States are housed, fed, educated, connected, and inspired because of the work of non-profits."

David O. Barrett on the founders' philosophy: "Just because people don't have means doesn't mean they're not entitled to quality affordable housing."

On opportunity: "Opportunity abounds on the Far Eastside of Indianapolis. It was true when the Glick Company was founded there in 1947, and it's true today."

On the foundation's origins: "We've had such a successful for-profit business that our founders could do this. Gene and Marilyn had the foresight and values that really drive the company."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Glick Philanthropies does not accept unsolicited grant applications. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. However, the foundation welcomes initial contact from organizations that believe their work aligns with Glick Philanthropies' funding priorities.

Steps to initiate contact:

  1. Review Funding Priorities: Carefully review the foundation's eight focus areas and recent grant recipients to ensure strong alignment
  2. Identify the Appropriate Portfolio Manager: Contact the portfolio manager whose focus area best aligns with your work:
    • Arts, Basic Needs, Economic Mobility, Jewish Cultural Life: Ben Grande
    • Education: Ryan Brady
    • Healthy Democracy: Hannah Riffle
  3. Complete the Contact Form: Use the contact form available on the Glick Philanthropies website
  4. Direct Outreach: Alternatively, email info@glickphilanthropies.org or call (317) 469-5877

The foundation invites grantseekers to review its Grantmaking Process on their website and reach out to the relevant portfolio manager to begin a conversation.

Decision Timeline

  • Grant Cycle: Grants are awarded on a semiannual basis (twice per year)
  • Timing: Recent announcements show Spring and Fall grant recipient announcements (e.g., Spring 2025 and Fall 2024)
  • Specific timeline from inquiry to decision: Not publicly disclosed, but follows the biannual cycle
  • Notification methods: Not specified; likely direct communication to invited applicants

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only process, organizations that are invited to apply likely have higher success rates than typical competitive grant programs.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Organizations should maintain relationships with their portfolio manager and stay engaged with the foundation's work.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrated Equity Focus

Given Marianne Glick's statement that "Almost everything we do is about equity," applications should clearly articulate how the proposed work will create opportunities for people who might not otherwise have access. The foundation prioritizes organizations serving underserved and marginalized populations.

Geographic Relevance

Strong preference for organizations serving Central Indiana, particularly Greater Indianapolis, or communities where the Gene B. Glick Company manages properties. The foundation has a particular historical connection to Indianapolis's Far Eastside, where the company was founded in 1947.

Systemic Change Orientation

The foundation describes itself as supporting "initiatives and nonprofit organizations creating systemic change" rather than providing Band-Aid solutions. Applications should demonstrate how the work addresses root causes and creates lasting impact.

Alignment with Strategic Priorities

Recent grant recipients demonstrate clear patterns:

  • Arts: Programs specifically designed for underserved youth, people with disabilities, or culturally diverse communities
  • Basic Needs: Direct service organizations with proven track records (food banks, diaper banks, utility assistance)
  • Education: Initiatives closing achievement gaps, supporting early childhood education, or advancing educational equity
  • Healthy Democracy: Journalism, civic engagement, voter education, civil rights advocacy
  • Economic Mobility: Job training, business development, housing stability programs
  • Jewish Cultural Life: Organizations strengthening Jewish community and culture in Central Indiana

Multi-Year Partnership Potential

Many organizations in the Spring 2025 announcement received "multi-year, unrestricted grants," suggesting the foundation values sustained partnerships with trusted organizations. Demonstrating capacity for long-term impact and organizational sustainability may increase competitiveness.

Connection to Affordable Housing Mission

Given the foundation's roots in the Gene B. Glick Company's real estate business and the existence of the Glick Housing Foundation, organizations that connect to affordable housing themes or serve residents of affordable housing communities may have strategic alignment.

Recent Grant Examples

Spring 2025 recipients included:

  • Arts for Learning (school and community-based arts education)
  • ACLU of Indiana Foundation (defending freedom and democracy)
  • Gleaners Food Bank (food access)
  • Stand for Children Indiana (school equity advocacy)
  • Jewish Family Services (senior transportation)
  • The Bridge Project (B.I.R.T.H Fund for economic mobility)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only process: You cannot submit an unsolicited application, but the foundation welcomes initial contact from aligned organizations. Reach out to the appropriate portfolio manager to begin a conversation.

  • Equity is paramount: Every application should clearly demonstrate how the work creates opportunities for underserved populations. As Marianne Glick emphasizes, equity is central to nearly everything the foundation funds.

  • Geographic focus matters: Prioritize applications if you serve Central Indiana or communities where Glick Company properties are located. The foundation has deep roots in Indianapolis, particularly the Far Eastside.

  • Think systemic change: The foundation seeks to support organizations creating lasting, structural change rather than short-term interventions. Frame your work in terms of root causes and sustainable solutions.

  • Build relationships: With an invitation-only model, relationship-building with portfolio managers is essential. Attend local philanthropic events, stay visible in the Central Indiana nonprofit community, and maintain regular communication with the foundation.

  • Multi-year potential: Many grants are multi-year and unrestricted, suggesting the foundation values sustained partnerships. Demonstrate organizational stability and long-term vision to position for this type of support.

  • Semiannual cycles: Plan your outreach timing around the foundation's spring and fall grant announcement cycles, reaching out well in advance of decision periods.

References

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