Ball Brothers Foundation Announces Retirement of Senior Program Officer Rich Spisak
MUNCIE, IN — Ball Brothers Foundation is marking the retirement of Senior Program Officer Rich Spisak, who will conclude 18 years of service with the foundation at the end of the year. Rich joined Ball Brothers Foundation in 2008 and has been a central figure in the foundation’s growth—helping strengthen its grantmaking approach, deepen relationships with nonprofit partners, and advance major community initiatives throughout Muncie and East Central Indiana.
Rich brought a unique mix of experiences to the foundation. Before joining BBF, he served on the football coaching staffs at the University of Colorado, New Mexico State University, Miami University, and two separate stints at Ball State University. He later worked in university advancement at Ball State, where he developed strong fundraising and relationship-building skills. At Ball Brothers Foundation, his responsibilities included researching program areas, reviewing grant requests, conducting site visits, and tracking project results.
“Rich has played an instrumental role in shaping Ball Brothers Foundation’s culture and direction,” said Jud Fisher, Ball Brothers Foundation President & CEO. “His ability to build relationships, ask the tough questions, and keep grantees at the center of our work has strengthened the foundation in many ways. His leadership and heart will live on at the foundation and in this community.”
During his tenure, Rich helped support the foundation’s shift toward more transparent and relationship-driven grantmaking. He advocated for the awarding of operating grants; contributed to the foundation’s place-based strategies; and served for many years on the Ball Venture Fund selection committee, helping to identify and support innovative programs across Indiana’s private colleges. He represented the foundation at countless site visits, community convenings, and public events, making him a visible and trusted ambassador for the foundation.
As the foundation grew, Rich played a key role in mentoring and onboarding new staff. His guidance and example helped ground newer team members in BBF’s values and approach.
Reflecting on his time with the foundation, Rich shared: “I’m proud of the body of work we’ve built together. I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to do this kind of work, and I am deeply appreciative and honored to have served alongside Jud and the Ball family. I’m excited to see the relationships we’ve built—with our grantees, with community leaders, and with one another—help Muncie continue to flourish in the years ahead.”
Ball Brothers Foundation’s Board of Directors formally recognized Rich’s contributions earlier this year. Grantees and community members wishing to congratulate Rich are welcome to do so by sending an email to rich.spisak@ballfdn.org or a card to Ball Brothers Foundation, c/o Rich Spisak, 222 S. Mulberry Street, Muncie Indiana 47305.
# # #
About Ball Brothers Foundation
Ball Brothers Foundation is one of the state’s oldest and largest family foundations. Annually, the foundation pays out more than $8 million in grants to support arts and culture, education, the environment, health, human services, and public/society benefit. The Muncie-based private foundation gives priority to projects and programs that improve the quality of life in the foundation’s home city, county, and state.