May 2025: Kitselman Trailhead Update, Teaching Award, Grantee Spotlight, and more
Final Phase Begins for Kitselman Trailhead
Several weeks ago, BBF partnered with Cardinal Greenways to host a groundbreaking for the final phase of the Kitselman Trailhead, a project that is 20+ years in the making.
What was once a 14-acre superfund site—home to the towering Indiana Steel & Wire complex—is being reimagined into a vibrant eastern gateway into Muncie. This final phase will provide an additional connection point for the Cardinal and White River Greenways, eliminating a challenging road crossing and connecting a scenic corridor that weaves nature, heritage, and recreation together.
Excellence in Teaching Award
Congratulations to this year's Excellence in Teaching Award winner, Maleah Parrish, a first-grade teacher at Daleville Elementary School.
"She’s the kind of teacher who makes a lifelong impact on students inside and outside of the classroom.” - Jud Fisher, president & CEO of Ball Brothers Foundation.
Two finalists were also recognized at a reception held at Minnetrista earlier this month: Sarah Hofmann, a math teacher at Muncie Central High School, and Danielle Phelps, a K-8 visual arts teacher at Burris Laboratory School.
Muncie Scholar House is Opening Doors for Student Parents
Between classes, homework, and raising a child, young student parents face enormous obstacles—with fewer than two percent of single parents in Indiana earning a college degree.
In 2024, BBF began supporting Muncie Scholar House as the program expanded from Anderson to Muncie. With a model built around stable housing, coaching, and life-skills programming, the Scholar House approach has already impacted 31 families so far, including Alee Quirk's.
Grantee Spotlight: Q&A with BY5
Over a decade ago, Muncie community members rallied around the opportunity to help prepare our youngest learners for kindergarten and beyond.
Since then, BY5 has led the way in ensuring that all children have access to education during their most crucial years of development—the first five years. Today, Delaware County has one of the highest concentrations of high-quality childcare in the state.
Learn more from Missy Modesitt, Muncie BY5 Executive Director and one of BBF's 2025 Fellows.
Planning to Apply for Funding?
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 with BBF
Here's a peek at what we've been up to over the past several weeks:
BBF's Jenna Wachtmann attended Taylor University's ribbon cutting for its new Bachelor of Science in Nursing. BBF awarded Optimus Primary funding for equipment to help outfit patient simulation rooms.
We connected with students during Muncie Central High School's annual Civics Day and took part in FUSION, an interactive activity led by Shafer Leadership Academy.
BBF's Dan Wolfert attended the Conner Prairie Annual Meeting to celebrate the organization's innovative approach to nature education and engagement. A new BBF grant to Conner Prairie will help further this work.
Program Officer Dan Wolfert joined Red-tail Land Conservancy for a guided visit to Ginn Woods, one of Indiana's largest remaining old-growth forests.