Celebrating 95 Years
In 1926, Edmund Burke Ball left an estate gift of $3.3 million to form the bedrock of Ball Brothers Foundation, believing that philanthropy is more powerful than charity.
‘The last mile’: Ball Brothers Foundation announces grants to support COVID-19 vaccine distribution
Hospitals, public health departments and healthcare organizations are carrying the brunt of COVID-19 efforts: caring for the ill, monitoring the spread of cases, educating the public about prevention methods, running testing sites and, now, managing the monumental task of carrying out the largest vaccination efforts in the nation’s history.
2021 BBF Calls for Teacher Nominations, Excellence in Teaching Judging Panel Announced
Ball Brothers Foundation will again honor Delaware County teachers in 2021 through the Foundation’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Nominations from school districts are due on Monday, February 1.
2020 Year in Review
2020 was a momentous year—for Muncie, Delaware County, East Central Indiana, and the rest of the world. Marked largely by unprecedented events and hardship, the year forced us all to rethink the way we do things.
Amidst COVID Surge, Funding to Support Hospital Caregivers, Vaccine Distribution Planning Awarded by Ball Brothers Foundation
As the year draws to a close, BBF is responding to the surge in COVID cases with additional support for local hospitals. Additionally, encouraged by the promise of COVID vaccines, the foundation awarded funding for local vaccine distribution planning.
The Future of Work: How Muncie organizations are preparing for advancements in technology, changes to the workforce
The future of work is changing. Soon—perhaps by the time the next generation of employees enter the workforce—nearly every job will have been impacted by technology, automation, advanced cloud computing or artificial intelligence, said Corey Sharp, director of Purdue Polytechnic Institute Anderson.
Local Childcare Centers Challenged by Pandemic Receive BBF Support
Throughout the pandemic, challenges related to childcare have gained significant attention. BBF has focused early childhood funding throughout the year on helping local childcare centers reopen safely, support staffing needs, and even reconfigure spaces for improved safety.
Spreading some good news in 2020
FALL 2020 NEWSLETTER
2020 has been a long, challenging year, to say the least. Providing a hopeful look ahead, Ball Brothers Foundation is excited to share some good news during these difficult times.
Looking to improve quality of life beyond COVID-19, Ball Brothers Foundation awards over $6 million in grants to support education, workforce development, more
In its final round of grants for the year, Ball Brothers Foundation awarded more than $6 million to local nonprofits, schools, workforce development organizations and other entities
Ron Fauquher of Innovation Connector recognized with annual Fisher Governance Award
This year’s Fisher Governance Award, annually presented by Ball Brothers Foundation, was awarded to Ron Fauquher, chair of the Innovation Connector Board of Directors. Fauquher was honored with the award at the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s 126th Annual Meeting Celebration on Oct. 15.
Jud Fisher Remarks at Kitselman Trailhead Convening
On October 13, 2020, Ball Brothers Foundation partnered with the Cardinal Greenway to host a convening at the new Kitselman Trailhead on the city of Muncie’s eastside.
Next Phase of Ross Center Sports Complex Underway
A decade ago, just two baseball/softball fields and a small park stood adjacent to the Ross Community Center on Muncie’s southside.
Collaborative Effort Pushes Census Participation
Two years ago, The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County recognized an opportunity to take a leadership role in encouraging the public to participate in the 2020 Census.
“Project Blueways” to Support Local Rivers, Watersheds
As a place-based family foundation that was established in 1926 in Muncie, Indiana, Ball Brothers Foundation has a long history of supporting efforts related to the White River. In 2020, we are building on this interest by dedicating additional funding to projects involving the White River, the Mississinewa River, and surrounding watersheds in East Central Indiana. We are calling this effort “Project Blueways.”
‘The future of medicine’: Local partnership enhances Muncie as one of the state’s leading medical hubs
According to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Delaware County has the fourth-highest number of primary care physicians per capita in the state—a ranking that should mean the county is one of the healthiest. But it’s not.
Funding Supports Students in Navigating Graduation Requirements
As high school freshmen and sophomores return to school this fall—whether virtually or in-person—among the changes they face are ensuring that they meet new graduation guidelines.
2020 Fisher Governance Award nomination deadline approaching
The deadline to nominate a board member for Ball Brothers Foundation’s annual John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award is fast approaching. Delaware County nonprofits have until Aug. 15 to nominate one of their board members for the award.
BBF’s Rich Spisak Honored with “Spirit of Muncie Award”
BBF’s Rich Spisak was announced today as the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 “Spirit of Muncie” award winner.
2019 Annual Report
In 2019 our Foundation’s growing endowment enabled us to make grants totaling $8 million, a record payout. Among the organizations that received support were those working at the neighborhood level to meet residents’ basic needs, create vibrant public spaces, improve housing, and build community and a ‘sense of place.’
Supported by local philanthropies, Academic Innovation Plan sparks ‘new sense of optimism for what is possible in Muncie Community Schools’
In the summer of 2018, Muncie Community Schools made headlines when it partnered with Ball State University to establish a new model of leadership for the corporation. But there’s one aspect to the partnership that many people may not know about: the substantial support from local foundations.