June 2025: $3M+ awarded in spring round of grants, Q&A with Urban Light CDC, and more
Public Art Investment Part of $3M in Round One Grants
This spring, Ball Brothers Foundation awarded over $3 million in grants to support education, arts, the environment, health, and other efforts that strengthen communities across East Central Indiana.
Among the grants was a $75,000 award to The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County to grow public art efforts across the city.
This investment will help launch two new funds dedicated to public art. It also supports the Creative Space Action Plan, a strategy to link Muncie's creative assets, drive economic development, and instill community pride.
Q&A with Urban Light CDC
Since 2018, the foundation has been proud to support Urban Light CDC.
Through community activities, its Lighthouse Recovery Home program, and housing rehabilitation efforts, Urban Light is strengthening community pride and leadership. With this place-based approach, the organization is empowering residents to shape the future of their own neighborhoods on Muncie's south side.
In a recent Q&A, we sat down with Joy Rediger, Executive Director of Urban Light CDC and one of BBF's 2025 Fellows, to learn more about the organization's programs.
“The history and the residents’ dreams, gifts and talents are what make these two neighborhoods so special.”
A Look Back at Our History with YMCA of Muncie
The relationship between the Ball family and the YMCA of Muncie spans more than a century.
In 1911, the Ball brothers pledged funds toward a new YMCA building, encouraging the community to invest in the project. By 1914, the facility opened and became a community anchor.
Read about how these early acts of personal philanthropy helped shape BBF's approach to grantmaking—and how, nearly a century later, the community is celebrating the opening of a new YMCA in downtown Muncie.
Panoramic of workers in the 1911 campaign to raise funds for a new YMCA building in Muncie standing at what is now Muncie Civic Theatre. YMCA of Muncie, Inc. collection within the Minnetrista Heritage Collection
Muncie Land Bank's Dr. John West was recognized with BBF's 2024 Fisher Governance Award. BBF is now accepting nominations for the 2025 award.
Nominate a Board Member
For over a decade, the John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award has recognized outstanding nonprofit board members in Delaware County. Is there someone on your board who deserves to be celebrated? Nominations are due by Friday, August 15.
Round 2 Grant Applications Due Soon
The deadline to apply for our next grant round is Tuesday, July 15.
If your organization plans to submit an application, please be sure to connect with Susan Brumley to talk with our staff in advance.
To help you get the most out of your grant conversation with our team, we've rounded up a few tips.
Out and About
We love the chance to visit grantees and to connect with those impacted by BBF's funding. Here are a few recent highlights of great things happening in our community:
BBF's Jud Fisher and board member Laura Hill attended a beam signing as part of the Village revitalization plan.
Our staff got a sneak peek at Good Night Forest, a new Minnetrista exhibit introducing young learners to the outdoors made possible in part by funding from BBF and the George & Frances Ball Foundation in collaboration with the Indiana State Museum.
Program Officers Dan Wolfert and Donna Munchel joined eighty K-6 students to explore summer STEM activities at Camp Invention, held at Selma Elementary.
The BBF team toured Muncie's Old West End neighborhood to see firsthand revitalization efforts underway by the Muncie Land Bank and local partners.