Ball Brothers Foundation offers a Fellows Program each year, which provides East Central Indiana nonprofit leaders and outstanding community leaders with an opportunity for two-way dialogue to help broaden their understanding of the foundation world. Fellows meet face-to-face with Ball Brothers Foundation staff members once a month from April through December. In addition to investing in local nonprofit leaders and listening to their perspectives on nonprofit management and current community issues, the program is a way for the foundation to demonstrate its transparency and receive feedback and insights from grantees.

The goals of the Fellows Program are to help leaders:

• better understand how Ball Brothers Foundation and foundations in general operate,

• gain new nonprofit management skills, and

• develop new leadership skills.

Selection Process & Qualifications

Fellows must hold the Executive Director position or a top leadership position in their organization. They are nominated and selected by Ball Brothers Foundation staff members based on a range of factors, including potential to benefit from the program, demonstration of leadership, strong character and integrity, community commitment, and other considerations.

Funding Support

As part of the program, Ball Brothers Foundation issues Fellows a two-part grant totaling $15,000. The first half of the grant is awarded in April and is unrestricted in use. The second half of the grant is awarded midway through the program after the participants submit a formal application that outlines specific organizational needs for funding.  

During the program, Ball Brothers Foundation will also provide Fellows with up to $500 for expenses related to attending a professional conference of the participant’s choice. This funding encourages professional development and continuous learning.

Former Fellows