2025 Annual Report
Approaching a Century
For Ball Brothers Foundation, 2025 was a year marked by both reflection and anticipation. It offered an opportunity to consider how a long-standing commitment to place continues to shape our work today—and into the future.
Ball Brothers Foundation Celebrates 100th Anniversary in 2026, Announces Updated Grantmaking Focus Areas
Ball Brothers Foundation is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, placing it among the state—and the nation’s—oldest grantmaking foundations.
The foundation was formed in 1926 to continue the philanthropic legacy of the five Ball brothers and their families, who established Ball Brothers Manufacturing Company in Muncie to produce cans, bottles, and jars. Created to exist in perpetuity, Ball Brothers Foundation has supported countless initiatives over the past 100 years that have strengthened Muncie, Delaware County, East Central Indiana, and the state of Indiana.
February 2026: A Century of Health-Related Grantmaking, Q&A with IU Health Ball Hospital, and more
As we begin Ball Brothers Foundation’s 100th year, I’m reminded what a rare milestone this is. Founded in 1926, BBF is one of the oldest family foundations in Indiana—and among the longest-standing in the nation. For a century, we have remained focused on East Central Indiana, building enduring relationships and providing steady, place-based support. That long view continues to shape how we approach our work today.
Throughout 2026, we’ll mark this milestone by sharing more of our history and by highlighting the partners who help define our community. You'll see the first of these features in this month's newsletter.
Jud Fisher guest on “Delaware County Today;” discusses 2026 grantmaking, outdoor learning, youth sports, and more
Ball Brothers Foundation President & CEO Jud Fisher was a guest of WMUN’s Steve Lindell on the February 10, 2026 episode of “Delaware County Today.” The duo discussed BBF’s plans for grantmaking in 2026 and projects currently in the pipeline including outdoor learning and nature play and youth sports and recreation.
Shaping the Next Generation of Healthcare in East Central Indiana
In East Central Indiana, the future of healthcare is being built close to home. Over the past eight years, a growing network of hospitals, colleges and universities, and community partners has worked to strengthen the healthcare workforce pipeline—connecting education, training, and clinical practice so local students can pursue meaningful careers while helping improve community health.
Grantee Spotlight: Q&A with IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital COO
Ball Memorial Hospital has long been shaped by strong local leadership and a deep commitment to the communities it serves.
Local leadership in Muncie remains central to the hospital’s work. Kreigh Cook, Chief Operating Officer of IU Health Ball Hospital will work closely with Dr. Ryan Johnston, Chief Medical Officer, and Melissa Hicks, Chief Nursing Officer, to guide day-to-day operations, patient care, and community engagement.
Jud Fisher guest on “Our Call to Beneficence” podcast with BSU President Mearns
BBF’s President & CEO, Jud Fisher, recently sat down with Ball State University President Geoff Mearns for a thoughtful conversation about the Ball Brothers Foundation’s history, connections to Ball State University, Jud’s path to leadership, and what it means to steward an organization with deep and personal ties to its community.
January 2026: Celebrating 100 Years, Youth Sports, Wes-Del Graduation Pathways, and more
This year, Ball Brothers Foundation marks 100 years of grantmaking in Muncie, Delaware County, East Central Indiana, and across the state. While the Ball brothers and their families could not have predicted the many changes, challenges, and opportunities that would shape our community over the past century, their commitment to improving the quality of life in the city and region that meant so much to them continues to guide the foundation’s work today.
BBF Hosts Youth Sports & Recreation Gathering
Earlier this month, Ball Brothers Foundation convened local sports and recreation leaders for a conversation focused on youth sports and recreation, access, and coordination across Delaware County. The gathering brought together nearly 40 representatives from local leagues, school athletic directors and administrators, nonprofits that offer sports programming, tourism representatives, and city officials to share perspectives on what is working well—and where challenges and gaps exist—in the local sports and recreation landscape.
Grantee Spotlight: Wes-Del Community Schools Expands Pathways for In-Demand Technical Careers
Technology is transforming the way we work, live, and solve problems. In response, Wes-Del Community Schools is redefining what career preparation looks like in a rural district. As employers across East Central Indiana are on the hunt to find skilled technical talent, Wes-Del has built a system where students graduate with a diploma, hands-on experience, industry certifications, and a clear sense of where they want to go next.
December 2025: 2025 Year in Review Recap, Old West End Redevelopment, Grants Process in 2026, and more
Before we turn the page to a new year-and the foundation's 100th anniversary-we wanted to pause and look back at 2025. This year, Ball Brothers Foundation paid out $8.9 million in grants to organizations across Muncie and East Central Indiana—supporting the people and programs working every day to strengthen our community.
2025 Year in Review
As Ball Brothers Foundation looks ahead to its 100th year of grantmaking in 2026, we’re grateful for the opportunity to support this community. Our roots in Muncie and East Central Indiana run deep, and our place-based grantmaking approach reflects a long-held belief: that strong communities grow from local leadership, shared vision, and long-term commitments. This year, BBF paid out $8.9 million in grants supporting arts and culture, education, health, human services, the environment, and community initiatives.
The Old West End as a Model for Housing Redevelopment
Op-Ed by Jud Fisher
Muncie’s Old West End (OWE) is on the cusp of major redevelopment. Empty lots have plans attached to them, long-vacant properties have been mapped for future use, and the community has aligned around a vision for what’s next. Block by block, a historic neighborhood adjacent to downtown Muncie is gaining new life.
Q&A With Senior Program Officer, Rich Spisak
As Ball Brothers Foundation prepares to bid farewell to longtime Senior Program Officer Rich Spisak, we wanted to share a more personal look at his time with the foundation. Rich has been a steady presence at BBF for 17 years—known for his straightforward style, deep commitment to nonprofit partners, and his good humor. In the Q&A below, Rich reflects on the experiences, relationships, and moments that shaped his work and his perspective.
Ball Brothers Foundation Announces Retirement of Senior Program Officer Rich Spisak
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.
November 2025: Announcing our 2025 Fisher Governance Award Winner, New Grant Awards, and more
Congratulations to Tony Pierce, board president of Delaware County Futbol Club, on being named the 2025 Fisher Governance Award recipient. From his early days of coaching on the sidelines to his leadership today of the club’s rapidly growing recreation and travel soccer programs, Tony’s dedication and vision have helped more kids get in the game.
Delaware County Futbol Club’s Tony Pierce Recognized with 2025 Fisher Governance Award
Ball Brothers Foundation has presented its 2025 John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award to Anthony (Tony) Pierce, board president of the Delaware County Futbol Club (DCFC). Pierce was recognized with the award at the Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner on November 18.
The Fisher Governance Award honors a nonprofit board member in Delaware County whose strategic leadership, planning, and oversight have strengthened their organization’s mission, financial health, and general effectiveness.
Jud Fisher guest on “Delaware County Today;” discusses funding for healthcare talent, housing, education, and more
Ball Brothers Foundation President & CEO Jud Fisher was a guest of WMUN’s Steve Lindell on the Nov. 4, 2025 episode of “Delaware County Today.” The duo discussed recent BBF funding for developing the healthcare talent pipeline in East Central Indiana, supporting collaborative housing development projects, and more.
Grants to Grow Healthcare Talent in East Central Indiana Among $5M Awarded by Ball Brothers Foundation
Ball Brothers Foundation, a family foundation committed to place-based grantmaking in Indiana for nearly a century, has awarded more than $5 million in its second round of grants for 2025.
A major focus of this round supports projects that strengthen East Central Indiana’s healthcare workforce pipeline. This funding will help expand medical education, launch new healthcare credential programs, and provide hands-on experiences for high school and college students preparing for healthcare careers.
October 2025: A peek into our Outdoor Learning Field Trip, update on trailhead construction, Q&A with ecoREHAB, and more
Earlier this month, Ball Brothers Foundation joined more than 20 community leaders, funders, and local officials for a tour of the Kitselman Trailhead construction site on Muncie's east side.
The project is transforming the area into a safer and more welcoming gateway for trail users and for vehicles. In addition to rebuilding the levee that protects nearby neighborhoods and downtown from flooding, the work will realign the Cardinal Greenway to remove a dangerous road crossing and create a smoother, safer connection along the 60+ mile trail.