What Southeast Community Services does

Southeast Community Services (SECS) is a private nonprofit community services organization founded in 1972 and headquartered at 901 Shelby Street, 2nd Floor, Indianapolis, Indiana. The organization delivers a portfolio of free social services to residents of Indianapolis' southeast side, including an on-site food pantry serving 120+ households weekly, one-on-one career coaching and a Career Readiness Boot Camp, financial empowerment and credit coaching, free tax preparation through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, income support and benefits navigation, English language learner (ELL) classes delivered in partnership with Indy Reads, and family engagement programming. SECS serves individuals and families facing food insecurity, unemployment, underemployment, poor credit, housing instability, limited English proficiency, and social isolation. All services are provided free of charge to eligible community members, with eligibility applied to VITA (households earning $64,000 or less) and other programs as relevant. No fees are charged, and no paying customer relationships exist.

SECS operates using standard, non-proprietary nonprofit management technology rather than any internally developed platform. Core systems include PantrySoft for online food pantry ordering and account management (handling order customization, pickup scheduling, and monthly credit tracking), FormStack for client intake forms (including a dedicated Spanish-language intake form), and externally hosted partner tools such as mRelief for SNAP eligibility screening and Community Compass for food resource search. The organization has no proprietary technology platform, no mobile application, no public API, and no AI/ML capabilities. Service delivery is primarily in-person at the community center and the food pantry location at The Elaine (924 Shelby St.), with limited virtual options for ELL classes and remote interest-form submission.

The organization's revenue model is donations- and grant-funded rather than fee-based. Revenue streams comprise individual and corporate donations and charitable contributions, government grants and contracts supporting workforce development, food assistance, and income support programs, and IRS VITA program funding for free tax services. Go-to-market is community-led: SECS reaches neighbors through grassroots engagement, word-of-mouth referrals, partnerships with local employers and other nonprofits, community events and resource fairs, and organic social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn). The organization has 18+ full-time staff including executive leadership, career coaches, financial coaches, income support coaches, family engagement coordinators, pantry staff, and administrative personnel, plus a nine-member Board of Directors. There is no parent company, no private equity or venture capital backing, no subsidiaries, and no acquisitions or funding rounds on record.

Name

Southeast Community Services

Legal name

Southeast Community Services

Website

https://southeastindy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Southeast Community Services is a 1972-founded Indianapolis nonprofit providing free food pantry, career coaching, financial empowerment, VITA tax preparation, ELL classes, income support, and family engagement services to residents of the city's southeast side, funded by donations and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Food pantry assistance
• Career coaching services
• Financial empowerment coaching
• Workforce development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund operations and programs including food pantry, career coaching, financial empowerment, and family engagement services.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: SECS receives public funding through government grants and contracts to support community services including workforce development, food assistance, and income support programs.
3. VITA Program Services: Free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, funded through partnerships with the IRS and state agencies to serve low-income residents.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Southeast Community Services is a nonprofit community center that delivers free social services to residents of Indianapolis' southeast side, including a weekly food pantry serving 120+ households, one-on-one career coaching and Career Readiness Boot Camps, financial coaching and credit-building services, free IRS VITA tax preparation, income support for public benefits enrollment, family engagement programs, and English Language Learner classes delivered in partnership with Indy Reads. All offerings are provided at no cost to eligible community members and are funded through donations, grants, and government contracts.

Product overview

Southeast Community Services (SECS) is a community services organization offering a portfolio of interconnected social services programs. The core offerings include a Food Pantry with online ordering via PantrySoft (serving 120+ households weekly), Career & Employment services with Career Readiness Boot Camp workshops and Career Coaching, Financial Empowerment including Financial Coaching and VITA free tax preparation, Income Support Coaching for benefit enrollment, and Family Engagement programs. The organization also partners with Indy Reads for English Language Learning classes. These services are designed to work together - for example, Financial Coaching coordinates with Career Coaching to align financial goals with employment aspirations, while Income Support often serves as the first point of contact connecting clients to other programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Pantry On-site food pantry serving over 120 households weekly with fresh food, pantry staples, and registration/ordering via the PantrySoft platform. Includes Food Pantry Pick-Up at The Elaine (924 Shelby St.) and Produce for the People free fresh produce market. For low-income residents of Indianapolis' southeast side.
• Income Support Coaching First-step service helping neighbors enroll in benefits including SNAP, TANF, Medicaid/HIP 2.0, and access housing resources, food/clothing support, health coverage, and transportation solutions. For individuals and families facing financial or housing instability.
• Financial Coaching One-on-one coaching helping clients understand finances, review credit reports, develop budgets, manage debt, set financial goals, and access emergency resources. For adults seeking to improve financial stability.
• VITA Tax Filing Services Free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. IRS-certified volunteers help eligible neighbors (income $64,000 or less) file federal and state taxes, available January-April by appointment.
• Career Coaching One-on-one career coaching helping clients build resumes, practice interview skills, learn digital literacy, explore career fields, identify training programs, and set employment goals. For unemployed, underemployed, or career-changing adults.
• Career Readiness Boot Camp Intensive workshop program combining workforce training with co-active coaching. Topics include resume writing, interview skills, career exploration, and job search strategies. For unemployed/underemployed adults and those seeking career advancement.
• Training Certifications and Employer Connections Partnerships with local employers and training providers connecting clients to opportunities in healthcare, skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, technology, and logistics industries. Includes recruitment events, job fairs, and company info sessions.
• English Language Learning (ELL) Classes ELL classes provided through partnership with Indy Reads, supporting adult learners in developing speaking, listening, reading, writing, and comprehension skills. Classes available online or in-person, 6 hours weekly. For immigrants and English language learners.
• Family Engagement Programs Programs bringing families together through Family Fun Nights, Community Celebrations, School Readiness Events, and Parent Cafes, designed to reduce isolation and strengthen community bonds. For families with children.
• Fletcher Place Community Breakfast Free hot meals served Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9:00-10:30am at Southeast Community Services (901 Shelby St.), provided in partnership with Fletcher Place Community Center.

Quantifiable outcome

• Food pantry serves 120+ households weekly
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Indy ReadscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Indy Reads to provide English Language Learner (ELL) classes at Southeast Community Services. Classes support adult learners in developing speaking, listening, reading, writing, and comprehension skills. Classes are free, open to all English levels, and available online or in-person with evening sessions.
• Indiana Legal ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Indiana Legal Services, Inc., a nonprofit law firm providing free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income Indiana residents. Financial coaches provide referrals and connect neighbors to legal services as needed.
• Fletcher Place Community CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host Fletcher Place Community Breakfast at Southeast Community Services location. Free hot meals served Tuesday and Friday mornings 9:00-10:30am at 901 Shelby St. Second floor.
• Feeding Indiana's HungrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide hunger relief network. Erik Barnett, Vice President of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, serves on SECS Board of Directors.
• IRS/VITA ProgramcoreOthersFree tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, funded through IRS partnership to serve low-income taxpayers earning $64,000 or less annually.
• Local Employers and Training ProvidersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with local employers and training providers to connect participants to real opportunities in healthcare, skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, technology, and logistics industries. Includes recruitment events, job fairs, and company info sessions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• EmployIndy: Indianapolis workforce development intermediary administering employer partnerships and training programs. Comparable to SECS on the career-coaching and workforce-development dimension, but operates at broader regional scale rather than neighborhood-anchored.
• Second Helpings: Indianapolis-based hunger relief and workforce training nonprofit that combines food rescue with culinary job training. Comparable to SECS on both food services and workforce development dimensions, but operates at broader scale with a unique culinary-training angle.
• United Way of Central Indiana: Regional funder and coordinator of human services across Central Indiana. Comparable to SECS as a community-services actor in the same Indianapolis ecosystem, but operates as a grantmaking and convening organization rather than direct service provider.
• Wheeler Mission: Indiana's largest homeless services organization operating shelters, food service, and recovery programs in Indianapolis. Comparable to SECS on food assistance and poverty alleviation, but at larger institutional scale and with a stronger residential-services focus.
• Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana: Regional food bank serving all of Indiana with food distribution infrastructure. Comparable to SECS on the food pantry dimension but operates at significantly larger scale and as a wholesale hunger-relief backbone rather than direct-service neighborhood center.

Direct peers

• Horizon House: Indianapolis day-services nonprofit serving individuals experiencing homelessness or poverty with showers, mail, ID services, and case management. Comparable to SECS on the basic-needs and case-management dimension, with similar target population and free-of-charge service model.
• The Caring Center: Indianapolis-based community services nonprofit providing food, housing, and financial assistance. Directly comparable to SECS as a neighborhood-level safety-net provider serving low-income Indianapolis residents through similar integrated services.
• Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center: Indianapolis neighborhood center on the north side providing food pantry, youth programs, senior services, and family support. Comparable to SECS as a place-based community center with similar mixed-program structure.
• John H. Boner Community Center: Near-eastside Indianapolis community center offering workforce development, food assistance, youth services, and family support. Closely comparable in operating model, target population, and integrated service portfolio to SECS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/secsindy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southeast-community-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/secsindy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Southeast Community Services