Sandra MillerWhether you’re a lifelong local or a recent transplant, finding meaningful ways to give back can feel overwhelming. I often hear from folks looking to donate their time or resources, but they aren’t sure where their contributions will make the biggest impact.
From reading a book to kids at a local kindergarten to teaching a weekend piano lesson, there are countless ways to get involved. However, if you want to support organizations driving substantial, systemic change, knowing who to trust is vital.
To help you navigate the options, I’ve put together a guide to the best charities in Indianapolis. Read on to learn about the groups that truly transform our community.
How much of the donations go directly to charity programs in Indianapolis?
When donating to Indianapolis charities, you can typically expect 85% to 95% of your contribution to go directly to community programs. The remaining 5% to 15% is generally used for essential administrative costs and fundraising efforts that keep the organization sustainable.
| Expense Category | Ideal Percentage Range | What it Covers |
| Direct Program Services | 85% – 95% | Food, shelter, education, and medical supplies |
| Administrative / Management | 5% – 10% | Staff salaries, office space, and insurance |
| Fundraising Efforts | 2% – 5% | Event planning, mailers, and donation processing |
1. Second Helpings
Website: https://www.secondhelpings.org/
Address: 1121 Southeastern Ave
Contact: (317) 632-2664
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Tackling hunger and poverty simultaneously is a massive undertaking, but Second Helpings pulls it off with a brilliant integrated approach that combines food rescue and culinary job training.
By repurposing surplus food into nutritious meals, they manage to reduce landfill waste while actively feeding vulnerable populations across the city.
During a recent visit to drop off some supplies, I saw firsthand how their bustling volunteer teams distribute thousands of free meals to local partner agencies.
This circular model provides immediate relief and equips unemployed individuals with vital career skills through short-term culinary programs.
However, because they rely on a network of external agencies for distribution, the quality of assistance can occasionally fluctuate depending on the specific partner site.
Additionally, this isn’t a soup kitchen. If you’re expecting direct on-site meal service, you may find their indirect distribution model confusing.
They were so clean and organized.
I attended an informative presentation to have other career training options for clients of Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center. Now I want to to be a student. I was very impressed. The staff, students and volunteers were so nice. They were so clean and organized. I highly recommend being affiliated with them in any form or fashion. Their mission makes a difference in so many ways.
Johnene Marble, Google Review
everyone is so helpful and positive
I love this place for so many reasons I have volunteered there, and currently going through their culinary training program and it is amazing and everyone is so helpful and positive
They bridge the between hunger and what others throw away
They make many miracles happen daily
Nicole Sipe, Google Review
2. Ronald McDonald House – RMHC
Website: https://www.rmhccin.org/
Address: 435 Limestone Street
Contact: 317-269-2247
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9 AM–9 PM
Navigating a child’s medical crisis is terrifying, which is why having a facility that provides free or low-cost lodging just steps away from major hospitals is so crucial.
By operating both residential housing and dedicated in-hospital family rooms at Riley Children’s Health, RMHC effectively removes the heavy burdens of travel and daily living expenses.
Their Maternity Tower room even offers niche amenities like nap pods and a beauty bar for parents who need a rare moment of respite.
While the facility fosters a beautiful support system, maintaining an 80-room, high-traffic residential space presents logistical challenges.
For instance, some guests have reported unsettling issues with room cleanliness or pest control, which can be particularly stressful in a medical context.
Furthermore, because the staff is often balancing crisis-level family needs, their response to immediate maintenance or accommodation concerns can occasionally be slower than expected during peak times.
great service to families already going through tough times
I am a volunteer here and am always impressed with how well the staff takes care of the guests. They do everything in their power to fill the house to help the most families possible. This Ronald McDonald House is open to families with children being treated in any Indianapolis area hospital, not only one specific hospital. It is a great service to families already going through tough times.
Szumei Leow, Google Review
felt nice to serve families
Our church group volunteered here and bought, cooked and served breakfast here one morning. We got there at like 6:30am. It felt nice to serve families dealing with devastating circumstances, and to know that at least on that day, for that meal, they had warm smiles, warm food and kindness. Every little bit helps. 💛
Melody Erickson, Google Review
3. Catholic Charities
Website: https://www.helpcreatehope.org/
Address: 1400 N. Meridian St
Contact: 317.236.1500
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Finding a single support system that addresses multiple life stages is rare, but Catholic Charities manages to offer everything from refugee resettlement to elder care under one roof.
They specialize in stabilizing vulnerable groups through a mix of immediate crisis relief and structured, long-term case management.
Furthermore, their massive footprint across Central Indiana ensures that help is available to everyone, regardless of religious background.
However, because their breadth of services is so vast, getting in touch with the right department can be frustrating.
Many community members also noted that communication can be inconsistent, with noticeable delays in receiving callbacks for initial inquiries.
very honest and polite
The help i got and still get is beyond belief, I’ve been visiting this place for my legal assistance on immigration and i have been very happy with them, they are very honest and polite not to mention very respectful towards you since the get go…i love their attention to detail.
Tony Baca, Google Review
4. United Way of Central Indiana
Website: https://www.uwci.org/
Address: 2955 North Meridian Street, Suite 300
Contact: 317-923-1466
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
When it comes to dismantling the root causes of poverty, United Way takes a systems-level approach that is often more effective than short-term aid.
They act as a central hub here, designing long-term solutions and funding initiatives that improve upward mobility for working households.
They’re also the ultimate connector, bringing together diverse service providers to address systemic issues like affordable housing and early childhood education.
However, because they primarily function as a fundraising and redistribution entity, they are not a direct-service provider. People seeking urgent, personal crisis relief (like an immediate bag of groceries) may find their referral-based model frustrating to navigate.
doing great things in the community
UWCI is an amazing partner for our organization (Glick). We love working with Ashley, Maddie and Molly to coordinate our volunteer and charitable outreach. They are doing great things in the community and we are proud to be affiliated with them!
Lanette Nelson, Google Review
high quality of care
United Way has done so much for so many! There influence reaches through out the state of Indiana. Scribbles Ministry can provide high quality of care due to the support United Way has given our program. We are just a minute part of what United Way has done for the state of Indiana. Thank you so much for all you do we are blessed to have you!
Melinda Wardle, Review
5. SON Foundation
Website: https://www.sonfoundationindy.org/
Address: 1327 N Pennsylvania St
Contact: (317) 504-9292
Hours: By Appointment / Reservation Basis
Traveling for prolonged medical treatments drains both emotional and financial reserves.
The SON Foundation fills a crucial gap by providing free temporary housing specifically for adult cancer patients and their caregivers. It’s also worth noting that this group is often overlooked by pediatric-focused charities.
Operating with a faith-based mission, they welcome guests of all backgrounds to find much-needed emotional support among peers in a home-like environment.
However, due to the small-scale nature of this charity, they’re strictly focused on lodging.
Furthermore, like many older residential buildings downtown, a few past guests have raised concerns regarding inconsistent room readiness and occasional pest issues, which are particularly significant for immunocompromised individuals.
Traveling for prolonged medical treatments drains both emotional and financial reserves, making free temporary housing an absolute lifeline for adult cancer patients and their caregivers. By providing a comfortable residential environment near downtown hospitals, they effectively eliminate a massive logistical burden.
This facility actively fills a crucial gap in local healthcare support, as many similar charities strictly focus their accommodations on pediatric cases. Operating on a faith-based mission, they welcome guests of all backgrounds to share communal spaces and find much-needed emotional support among peers.
Due to the small-scale nature of this housing, the scope of their services remains narrowly focused on lodging rather than broader emergency aid. Additionally, a few past guests have raised valid concerns regarding inconsistent room readiness and occasional pest issues, which is particularly alarming for medically vulnerable individuals.
caring, wonderful
I don’t know where to begin! I am so grateful for this place! I have stayed here twice now. The residential assistant, Ann, is such a caring, wonderful, big hearted and so helpful woman! It’s nice that aces like this exist for us Cancer patients and out caregivers! Thank you so much! God bless you all!
Tabitha Henson (Tabbie), Google Review
I feel blessed that I got to stay
It was very nice to have the opportunity to stay close to my love one only 6 minutes away from the hospital good feeling to know people care when you’re going through a lot from a love one sick I feel blessed that I got to stay we need more places like this in the 🌎 will definitely be donating in the near future so others can have the same help this place gave me and my husband they are a true God send thank you so much
Rebecca Riddle, Google Review
