Jim Fisher and Jud Fisher’s remarks at BBF “Century Celebration”

Ball Brothers Foundation capped off its 100th year of grantmaking and leadership with a “Century Celebration” held on October 1, 2026, at Indiana State Museum’s Great Hall & Ball Family Terrace. The evening brought together a group of statewide philanthropy leaders, grantees, government officials, community leaders, Ball family members, and other friends of the foundation.  

Prior to dinner, guests watched the debut of a short film about the foundation’s history and heard from a panel of distinguished speakers including The Honorable Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States & Indiana’s 50th Governor, The Honorable Eric Holcomb, 51st Governor of Indiana, and Angela Carr Klitzsch, President & CEO of Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. 

The following are prepared remarks from BBF’s Board Chair, Jim Fisher, and BBF’s President & CEO, Jud Fisher.

Jim Fisher, Chairman of the Board

Good evening, everyone. I’m Jim Fisher, Chairman of the board of Ball Brothers Foundation. It is my honor to welcome so many grantees, government officials, peer foundations, members of the Ball family, and friends to tonight’s celebration.  

We are here to mark a remarkable milestone: 100 years of Ball Brothers Foundation grantmaking and philanthropic leadership.  

The story, of course, goes back even further. My grandfather, Edmund Burke Ball, was one of five brothers who moved their glass manufacturing business to Muncie in the late 1880s. The Ball brothers believed deeply in Muncie and Delaware County—not simply as the place where they built a business, but as a place they felt responsible to invest in.  

One hundred years later, that commitment continues. 

I’m grateful to generations of Ball family members and community leaders who have helped steward the Foundation over the past century. And I’m especially grateful to the many nonprofit organizations and people who have put that support to work in our community.  

Tonight is a chance to celebrate that history. 

To kick things off, we’re pleased to share this short video produced by Chris Flook, a talented storyteller, historian, and Ball State University professor. 

Enjoy, and thank you for joining us tonight.

Jud Fisher, President & CEO

Good evening, everyone. I’m Jud Fisher, President and CEO of Ball Brothers Foundation. 

There’s a phrase Chris Flook, who produced tonight’s video, used to describe the Ball family’s legacy: “Built to Last.” I think that captures something important. 

The Ball brothers certainly built things to last. The jars made in Muncie for generations are one part of that story. But the larger legacy is the institutions and communities they helped support—institutions that have endured for generations. 

That commitment is at the heart of Ball Brothers Foundation. 

When Edmund B. Ball established the Foundation through his estate in 1926, he and the family members who helped shape it were thinking well beyond their own lifetimes. They created an institution intended to carry on their philanthropic giving in perpetuity—a relatively new idea at the time as there were only a handful of private foundations in those days.  

As my uncle Jim mentioned, the Foundation has remained deeply committed to Muncie and Delaware County since its establishment in 1926. 

Over the past century, four generations of Ball family members, alongside dedicated community members, have served on our board. That kind of stewardship is part of what allows institutions to endure. 

And that’s what we’re exploring tonight with our panel of distinguished guests: the role philanthropy can play in building for the long term; and how government, business, nonprofits, and civic leaders can work together to strengthen communities over time.  

I am deeply grateful to Gerry and each of our panelists who have joined us tonight to share their reflections.  

Before we wrap up the formal program, I’d like to take a moment to recognize a few of the people who have helped steward Ball Brothers Foundation through this century. 

Will the current members of our Board of Directors and past and present staff please raise a hand so we can recognize you?  

Thank you—and thank you for the time, care, and leadership you give to the Foundation and to our community. 

Specifically for tonight’s celebration, I’d also like everyone to help me recognize and thank my great staff, and especially Susan Brumley who has guided us through the logistics this week of a board retreat, board meeting, and this wonderful event tonight.  

With that, I’d like to make a toast: To 100 years of philanthropy—may we continue our partnerships with grace and our support…and may we continue our mission to help improve and maintain the quality of like in the great state of Indiana into our next century.  

To all of our friends here tonight, thank you again for being here to celebrate 100 years of Ball Brothers Foundation with us. Enjoy the rest of your evening.