The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis is embarking on a fundraising effort to permanently endow the Glick Economic Relief Fund. With the Indianapolis Jewish community’s support, the Federation can secure the funds that the community will need for future crises.

The Federation has already raised more than $850,000 through a 2020 Community Relief Fund effort. These funds have been distributed through a committee of the Federation Board, of which more than $500,000 has already been distributed. 

“We are now seeking the support of the community to secure emergency funds in perpetuity,” said Josh Lodolo, Senior Director of Planned Giving & Endowment.

The Federation’s goal is to raise half a million dollars. The Glick family has generously offered to donate $100,000 toward that goal, a 1:4 match of funds. This donation is a challenge to the wider community to help the JFGI meet the $500,000 goal.

Requests for emergency aid skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, JFGI allocated $150,000 from the Community Relief Fund  to Jewish Family Services for direct pandemic aid. The aid went to community members who could not afford to pay for food for their families, rent, loans, medication and transportation.
According to JFS community social worker and Clinical Director Julie Sondhelm, the difference between safety and homelessness is often just one month’s worth of rental assistance. It is thanks to the Community Relief Fund that JFS has helped so many people get back on their feet.

“There are needs in the community that are unseen,” Sondhelm said. “There are Jewish families who are relying weekly on the food pantry to have food on the table, Jewish individuals who are on the verge of sleeping in their car, Jewish seniors who have to choose between rent and medications.”

JFS’ roles are lifesaving for those living on the margins. Roughly 100 households receive direct financial assistance from the Glick Emergency Assistance Fund in an average year. In 2020, JFS emergency financial assistance distribution quadrupled. Community members who never imagined they would find themselves in need sought assistance from JFS.

Because of the generosity of the Glick family and a number of other generous donors, JFGI has raised $230,000 toward the $500,000 goal. The Federation is looking to the wider community to raise the remaining $270,000.
“Without a secure emergency fund, we don’t know from year to year what level of support we can provide to community members in need,” Sondhelm said. “Ensuring continuity of emergency funds into the future means that we preserve an essential lifeline for community members.”

The Jewish Federation sends a huge THANK YOU to its generous donors for supporting the community. 
“We want to thank the community synagogues, our partner agencies and volunteers for helping us allocate funds and provide vital services,” said Federation CEO Debby Barton Grant. “Thank you to the Glick family for the opportunity to maintain an emergency fund in perpetuity. May we continue to work together to lift each other up when we are in need.”

Contact Josh Lodolo at jlodolo@jfgi.org to learn more about supporting this endowment building effort.