There’s a famous Winston Churchill quote that goes, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” By that measure, Marianne Glick’s life has been remarkable so far. The board chair of the Glick Family Foundation, Marianne has carried on the legacy of her parents, Indianapolis real estate titans Eugene and Marilyn Glick, and the mission of the Gene B. Glick Company through countless investments to enhance education, self-sufficiency and quality of life in Central Indiana—including more than $100 million to organizations such as the Glick Eye Institute at the Indiana University School of Medicine, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick, TeenWorks and more.
“For more than 70 years, my family has been in the business of building community.”
But out of all the philanthropic efforts Marianne Glick has had a hand in, perhaps the one closest to her heart is underway in the community where she spent some of her most formative years: the Far Eastside of Indianapolis. This was the first home to the Glick family’s company when it was founded in 1947. Marianne fondly recalls memories of helping her parents as early as age 12 in their office, located just off 42nd Street and Mitthoeffer Road. In college, Marianne spent summers working in the leasing office of Carriage House East, now one of the largest affordable housing communities in Indianapolis. And once she graduated and became a regional manager at the Glick Company, Carriage House East continued to be a significant property in her portfolio.
Today, Marianne spends quite a bit of time on the Far Eastside. But instead of signing leases, she’s on a different mission—to springboard this neighborhood into the next era of community leadership, investment and opportunity. Through the Far Eastside Success Initiative, a cross-sector effort that includes key members of Indianapolis’ business, civic and philanthropic communities, the Glick Family Foundation and its umbrella organization, Glick Philanthropies, has embarked on a long-term investment strategy on the Far Eastside. Over the past five years, Glick Philanthropies has invested more than $8 million in the programs and services in the neighborhood.
“For more than 70 years, my family has been in the business of building community. Helping people—our residents and our neighbors—has always been at the heart of our approach,” Marianne says.
…it’s really the Far Eastside residents who are driving change and making their vision for the neighborhood a reality.
In May of 2018, Marianne led Glick Philanthropies in achieving an important milestone for the initiative as it broke ground on a state-of-the-art, $2 million community success center anchored by the Carriage House East apartment community. The 10,000 square-foot Resident Success Center will open in January 2019 and include several multi-purpose spaces for community events, a teaching kitchen for cooking classes, a greenhouse, a computer lab and other services and resources to help residents break the cycle of poverty and achieve self-sufficiency.
As important as it is for community partners to rally around the success of the neighborhood, Marianne says that it’s really the Far Eastside residents who are driving change and making their vision for the neighborhood a reality. At Phalen Leadership Academy at Indianapolis Public School 103 (PLA@103), Indianapolis’ first-ever innovation school, students and parents have shown what’s possible when a community works together to create a culture of education. Working alongside partners such as Central Indiana Community Foundation, United Way of Central Indiana and Community Alliance of the Far Eastside, neighbors have transformed PLA@103 from an “F” rated school to an “A” school. Hundreds of parents now pack the classrooms and hallways at “Back to School” night, and children look forward to learning in a supportive, structured environment.
It’s an exciting turn for a neighborhood that has limitless potential. And, fortunately, there are leaders like Marianne Glick working alongside residents to unlock every opportunity for youth, family and community success.
“The Far Eastside is just as vibrant and deserves just as much investment and energy as any other neighborhood in Indianapolis,” Marianne says. And thanks to her efforts and passion, more people are paying attention.
About Glick Philanthropies
Glick Philanthropies is a family of charitable initiatives, programs and organizations focused on building community and creating opportunity. Together, Glick Philanthropies strives to strengthen the quality of life in Central Indiana and in communities where Gene B. Glick Company properties are located to ensure that people in those local communities can reach their full potential and lead lives of dignity. Glick Philanthropies includes the Glick Family Foundation, Glick Family Housing Foundation, Glick Fund at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), and Glick Fund at the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI). Since 1982, Glick Philanthropies has awarded over $150 million to charitable causes and has led a transformative effort to improve education and economic opportunity on Indianapolis’ Far Eastside where the Gene B. Glick Company was originally headquartered.
Learn more about the Glick Fund at CICF and Glick Philanthropies.
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