July 2026: Camp Crosley's Next Chapter, Jud Fisher Named to Indiana 250, and the History of BSU Teachers College & Burris
Camp Crosley: A Legacy of Outdoor Adventure
Nearly 100 years ago, Ball Brothers Foundation made its first grant to Camp Crosley—and the partnership is still going strong today.
The Muncie YMCA had been camping on borrowed land for years before Edmund and Bertha Ball gave a gift in 1921 that helped the camp find its permanent home on Lake Little Tippecanoe, given as a memorial to their young son, Crosley.
Since BBF's first grant in 1927, the foundation's support has grown into more than $3 million, including a recent $250,000 gift for cabin renovations and a $500,000 commitment toward a new $6 million capital matching challenge from Lilly Endowment to modernize the camp's historic dining hall among other improvements.
Jud Fisher Named to Indiana 250
Jud Fisher, President & CEO of Ball Brothers Foundation, has been named to IBJ Media's 2026 Indiana 250, honoring Hoosier leaders shaping the future of the state across business, philanthropy, government, economic development, and the nonprofit sector.
Since 2003, Jud's leadership has guided the foundation through a period of significant growth, strengthening its commitment to place-based philanthropy as BBF celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
Strengthening Nonprofits with Indiana Youth Institute
For more than 20 years, Ball Brothers Foundation has partnered with Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) to strengthen youth-serving nonprofits across the region.
The East Central Indiana Consulting Grant, now in its 24th year, provides selected organizations with customized consulting to build leadership, governance, fundraising, and strategic planning capacity.
In 2026, funding from BBF will allow up to four youth-serving organizations to participate, with applications due August 23.
This partnership also honors a meaningful family legacy.
Virginia Beall Ball, who served on BBF's board and was a champion for youth and civic leadership across Indiana, believed deeply in investing in organizations that serve young people—a commitment reflected today in IYI's Virginia Beall Ball Knowledge Center, established in her honor.
Where Great Teachers Get Their Start
In 1917, the Ball brothers purchased the land and buildings of a struggling private college and donated them to the State of Indiana. This gift became the Indiana State Normal School Eastern Division. In recognition of the Ball family's generosity, the institution was renamed Ball State Teachers College in 1929—the same year Burris Laboratory School was established.
Named for Dean Benjamin Burris, the school was created as a place where future teachers could observe and practice their craft, launching a century-long commitment to teacher preparation in Muncie.
Following World War II, as Ball State's reputation in teacher education expanded nationally, BBF continued supporting efforts connected to educator development—funding professional development for faculty, initiatives for high school students interested in teaching careers, and outreach that promoted Ball State's mission to prospective students across the state and beyond.
Burris evolved alongside the university, growing into a K–12 public laboratory school open to students from across Indiana through a lottery system.
Today, that legacy continues. Burris was named 2025 Laboratory School of the Year by the International Association of Laboratory Schools, and BBF's past decade of support has helped expand outdoor education, launch a media and broadcast program, and strengthen fine arts and student wellness among other advancements.
Grants Fueling Innovation on Indiana Campuses
Since 1998, Ball Brothers Foundation's Ball Venture Fund has provided seed money for innovative start-up programs at Indiana's independent colleges and universities, administered by Independent Colleges of Indiana.
This year, four institutions—Butler University, Manchester University, Indiana Institute of Technology, and the University of Saint Francis—will share $100,000 to launch projects ranging from AI-powered career readiness tools to a cybersecurity innovation clinic and a diagnostic imaging workforce lab.
July's Hot Streak
Here's some highlights of what kept us busy across the community this month:
Keeping it Cool: We celebrated the completion of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana's new Cool Room, a project supported by BBF. The expanded space will help the food bank store more fresh produce and reduce food waste.
On the Job: BBF Program Officer Dan Wolfert joined fellow funders for TeenWorks' annual Summer Site Visits day. More than 120 local teens are getting paid work experience and career skills this summer through the program.
Charting the White River: BBF staff attended the launch of White River Rising, a five-day, 84-mile journey down the White River culminating in a documentary. Supported through a Rapid Grant to Destination: Muncie, the project celebrates progress in water quality and recreation.
Rebuilding Muncie: The foundation joined ecoREHAB of Muncie to celebrate 17 years of transforming vacant houses into energy-efficient homes and educating young people in skilled trades. BBF was honored to receive a special recognition award made from reclaimed wood.
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