September 2026: Get to know what's inside MadJax, Q&A with Red-tail, and Jud Fisher on Inside INdiana Business
Grantee Spotlight: MadJax Maker Force
On any given night at the corner of Madison and Jackson, you might find people welding, sewing, brewing beer, or hanging from aerial silks, all under one roof.
Ten years ago, that 80,000-square-foot building sat empty. Today, MadJax Maker Force is one of downtown Muncie's most surprising spaces, home to maker labs, art studios, coworking space, and a growing lineup of classes and community events. Read on to learn how MadJax has grown its Maker Space membership fivefold in under two years and what's next for this downtown hub.
Q&A with Red-tail Land Conservancy
Red-tail Land Conservancy started with a meeting of residents from across East Central Indiana interested in conservation. More than 25 years later, the organization is entering a new chapter with the retirement of Executive Director Julie Borgmann and the recent appointment of Nick Werner, a longtime Muncie resident and passionate outdoorsman.
In this Q&A, Julie looks back on her time at Red-tail and reflects on the rare Indiana landscape Red-tail secured through two separate land auctions, the preserves she's most excited about, and how energy development and shifting trends in family land ownership could reshape conservation in our region.
BBF's Centennial Makes Statewide News
When Ball Corp. moved its headquarters in 1998, the Ball brothers' legacy didn't leave with it.
In a recent interview with Inside INdiana Business host Gerry Dick, Jud Fisher shares why he believes the foundation is only as good as the partners around it and what makes him optimistic about the region's future. Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County CEO Marcy Minton also weighs in on the creative corridor taking shape in downtown Muncie, and Gerry Dick highlights revitalization underway in the Village.
September Snapshots
This month took our team out of the office and into the places where our grantees' work is happening. Here's a look at what kept us busy in September:
Launch Watch: BBF's Dan Wolfert and Jenna Wachtmann stopped by to check out a new canoe and kayak launch taking shape along the White River on Muncie's eastside.
Among Peers: Our team connected with foundation friends across the state at the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance conference and Philanthropy Leads dinner, joined by fellow Muncie attendees.
Growth Hub: We toured the Innovation Connector, a longtime BBF grantee supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, to see its newest additions, including a podcast studio and robotics field.
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