Ball Brothers Foundation Announces Cycle II Grants

11/16/2009

Ball Brothers Foundation Announces Cycle II Grants

Re-emphasizes Childcare Initiative; Pushes for Quality of Place proposals in 2010

Muncie, Indiana – Ball Brothers Foundation has announced the approval of grants resulting from its second grant cycle of the year to several organizations throughout Indiana. The majority of the grants will be distributed to organizations for local efforts while a select few grants were directed to groups with efforts outside the East Central Indiana region. The Foundation also announced it will continue its initiative to seek capacity building proposals that strengthen Muncie area childcare nonprofits. The Foundation will also intensify its efforts to support quality of place grants for the near downtown Muncie area.

The recipient nonprofits for Cycle II are: Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity ($120,000), Second Harvest Food Bank ($100,000), Muncie Civic Theater ($25,000), Energize-ECI ($100,000), Independent Colleges of Indiana ($75,000), High Performance Government Network ($50,000), Muncie YMCA ($50,000), American Red Cross – Hoosier Heartland Chapter ($25,000), Muncie Visitor's Bureau ($38,000), Ball State University – Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology ($75,000), Anderson University ($50,000).

Other organizations approved for grants outside the Foundation's second cycle through separate grant programs include: Back to School Teachers' Store ($4,055), Kidz Korner Child Care Center ($5,000), Muncie Boys and Girls Club ($2,000), Muncie Community Schools ($4,890), Red-tail Conservancy ($5,000), Indiana Black Expo-Muncie Chapter ($1,000), Ball State University ($8,000), Bridges Community Services, Inc. ($5,000), East Central Indiana Therapeutic Riding, Inc. ($3,500), Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry ($2,500), Second Harvest Food Bank ($3,000), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware County ($15,000), Motivate Our Minds ($15,000), Blood-N-Fire, Inc. ($5,000), Muncie Young Professionals Group ($2,000), Center for Rural Outreach and Public Services ($25,000), Heartbeat of East Central Indiana, Inc. ($30,000), Parents Encouraging Parents ($15,000), Western Wayne Elementary School ($14,000).

The "Quality of Place" initiative is not new to the Foundation, but more emphasis will be taken to pursue proposals that specifically address land banking, demolition or deconstruction of blighted and abandoned properties, and preserving properties in the near downtown Muncie area. Another aspect of the "Quality of Place" focus will see Ball Brothers Foundation seek proposals that stabilize and strengthen the near Downtown footprint, with special attention paid to the green space around the traffic circle.

"By focusing on the core of the community, there could be dramatic increases in commercial and residential activity downtown," Jud Fisher, executive director and chief operating officer, stated. "This effort will build and preserve value in Muncie. Ivy Tech's move has had an immensely positive effect on our city and we as a community need to step forward and enhance this opportunity."

Fisher also pointed out that a concentrated revitalization endeavor downtown would improve the physical and social fabric. "The potential to cut down on urban sprawl and unnecessary greenfield development, while magnifying the community college and Ball State's relationship is exciting," Fisher said. "By attracting more business and improving near downtown neighborhoods, Muncie can develop and drive a resurgence that will define its future."

Fisher stressed Ball Brothers Foundation's partnership with the George and Frances Ball Foundation and the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. as the key to any "Quality of Place" initiative's success.

On another front, the Foundation's Childcare Initiative will remain centered on capacity building. Ball Brothers Foundation indicated that continuing education and training, branding and awareness, as well as cooperation are ongoing themes to have in mind when applying for funding.

"Not only does shoring up childcare organizations provide a safe place for children, it creates a more productive workforce and improves lifetime learning capabilities," Fisher said. "The Foundation has made clear its intentions in the past to support childcare. Early childhood education serves as a launching pad for future success for the children while reinforcing the economy by freeing up parents to work without worry."

Neil Schmottlach is leading the Childcare Initiative and can be reached at the Foundation by calling 765-741-5500.

Ball Brothers Foundation was founded in 1926 to promote and carry out philanthropic efforts in the state of Indiana. The Foundation concentrates on East Central Indiana, with particular focus on Delaware County. The Foundation offices are located in downtown Muncie, Indiana. For further information, including guidelines and deadlines, please go to http://www.ballfdn.org/