May 2025: Kitselman Trailhead Update, Teaching Award, Grantee Spotlight, and more
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.
Thinking about applying for a grant? Let’s chat first!
We always recommend reaching out to request a meeting with a member of our team. This will help us to provide guidance about whether your organization is a good fit for funding from us and, if so, will allow us to help you best position your request for support. We welcome conversations with both returning grantees and those who are new to BBF. Our goal is to build relationships that support a strong nonprofit ecosystem.
Grantee Spotlight: Q&A with BY5
Over a decade ago, Muncie’s business, school, and nonprofit leaders came together to rally around the opportunity to better prepare our community’s youngest learners for kindergarten—and beyond. With the support of local funders and other donors—including Ball Brothers Foundation—BY5 was created. While the organization continues to evolve to meet changing needs, its commitment to providing a strong foundation for early learning remains unchanged.
Cardinal Greenways Announces Final Phase of Kitselman Gateway Project
Ball Brothers Foundation was pleased to partner with the Cardinal Greenway to host a partner update and groundbreaking for the next phase of the Kitselman Trailhead project in late April. Over the past decade, Ball Brothers Foundation has awarded over $1 million for construction and project management for this transformational project that serves as a gateway and connector for the Muncie community.
Grantee Spotlight: How Muncie Scholar House is Supporting Single Parents
Being a college student is a full-time job. For student parents, it’s double the challenge. Between classes, homework, and raising a child, young parents face enormous obstacles. Ball Brothers Foundation has long invested in efforts to strengthen family resources and improve access to education. In 2024, the foundation began to support a new community initiative that does just that.
Daleville’s Maleah Parrish Receives Ball Brothers Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award
On the 120th day of school, the first-graders in Maleah Parrish’s classroom are on a mission. Armed with invisible ink pens and yarn laser beams, they follow clues at a series of stations incorporating STEM, language arts, social skills, and teamwork to rescue Zero the Hero. It’s lively. It’s a little chaotic. And it’s exactly the kind of day Parrish hopes her students remember for years to come.
April 2025: Jud Fisher shares White River updates, Meet our 2025 Fellows, Q&A with Project Leadership, and more
East Central Indiana is home to the headwaters of the White River—and how we care for it has ripple effects far beyond our community.
In a recent op-ed, BBF President & CEO Jud Fisher reflects on decades of progress and explains why this natural resource is vital to our region's identity, economy, and environment.
Ball Brothers Foundation Welcomes 2025 Fellows in Program’s 20th Year
Ball Brothers Foundation is pleased to welcome two new Fellows for 2025: Missy Modesitt, Executive Director of Muncie BY5, and Joy Rediger, Executive Director of Urban Light Community Development.
Grantee Spotlight: Q&A with Project Leadership
For over a decade, BBF has been supporting the work of Project Leadership, a nonprofit organization serving East Central Indiana’s students, families, and schools. Project Leadership’s programs are laser-focused on preparing students for education and career journeys after high school.
East Central Indiana’s future runs through the White River
Op-Ed by Jud Fisher
The White River has long been a defining feature of East Central Indiana—its waters wind through our communities, shaping our history, and providing a foundation for future recreation and economic growth. Protecting and enhancing this natural resource is both a responsibility and an opportunity we take seriously at Ball Brothers Foundation. Our region is home to the headwaters of the White River, and the way we care for it has impact far beyond our own backyard.
March 2025: New Conservation Fund, New Board Member, Sagamore of the Wabash, and more
Clean water, healthy land, and thriving outdoor spaces need care and investment. That’s why BBF recently awarded a grant of $75,000 to support the launch of The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County’s Environmental Impact Fund.
Designed to support conservation projects—like improving water quality and expanding recreation amenities—this fund ensures a lasting investment in the natural resources that make our community special for future generations to enjoy.
BBF Supports New Fund to Protect Delaware County’s Natural Resources
Clean water, healthy land, and thriving wildlife don’t just happen on their own—they require care, protection, and long-term investment. That’s why Ball Brothers Foundation recently awarded a grant of $75,000 to support the launch of The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County’s Environmental Impact Fund. The Fund will expand The Community Foundation’s grantmaking resources for conservation with a broader focus on projects that protect the natural resources we all depend on.
Sagamore of the Wabash Awarded to Jud Fisher
Prior to leaving office in January, former Governor Eric Holcomb presented Jud Fisher, President & CEO of Ball Brothers Foundation, with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award – one of Indiana’s highest honors. Indiana governors give the award to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to life in the state.
Ball Brothers Foundation Marks 99th Year with New Board Appointment
As Ball Brothers Foundation enters its 99th year of grantmaking, it is proud to announce the appointment of Chris Fisher, a fourth-generation Ball family member, to the foundation’s board of directors. With a deep-rooted family legacy and passion for education, recreation, and community development, Chris will play a key role in carrying on the foundation’s longstanding commitment to philanthropy in Muncie and East Central Indiana.
February 2025: New EMT program coming to Muncie, Updates on canoe & kayak launches, and more
Exciting progress is happening along the White River and across our region. At a recent convening with BBF grantees and friends from Muncie, Delaware County, and nearby communities, local leaders shared updates on new canoe and kayak launches, a fresh White River branding campaign, dam removal efforts, and enhancements at Prairie Creek Reservoir.
Updates on Canoe/Kayak Launches, White River Branding, and More Shared at Convening
BBF grantees and friends from Muncie, Delaware County, and nearby communities convened on a brisk winter afternoon earlier this month to share updates and future plans related to the White River, the Mississinewa River, and surrounding watersheds. Ball Brothers Foundation convened partners as part of the foundation’s Project Blueways effort.
Grantee Spotlight: Ivy Tech Muncie to Launch EMT Program to Jumpstart Careers in Emergency Medicine
When many students think of a career in healthcare, they think of becoming a nurse or doctor. Ivy Tech Muncie/Henry County’s new EMT/Basic Emergency Medical Studies Certificate program will introduce students to another critical role in the healthcare field—emergency medical technician. The demand for EMTs is growing in East Central Indiana, and Ivy Tech’s program, which launches Fall 2025, will help address this critical need while opening doors for students in Muncie to explore a rewarding profession.
January 2025: A Look Ahead with Jud Fisher, Q&A with Muncie Community Schools, 10 Tips for Your Grant Application, and more
The start of the new year is always exciting for Ball Brothers Foundation’s board and staff. This year marks our 99th year of grantmaking, and we are honored to be the stewards of this remarkable legacy. While a lot has changed over the century since the foundation was established, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to improving the quality of life in Muncie, Delaware County, East Central Indiana, and Indiana.
Grantee Spotlight: Q&A with Muncie Community Schools’ CEO & Update on the District’s Transformation
In 2018, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) and Ball State University embarked on a groundbreaking partnership, creating a national model for collaboration between a public university and a public school system. This innovative alliance began amidst significant challenges, as MCS faced financial crisis and declining enrollment. Since then, the district has made remarkable strides in reimagining its future with the support of Ball State, the local community, and dedicated funders like Ball Brothers Foundation.
December 2024: A Look Back at 2024, A Note of Gratitude, 2025 Grant Updates, and More
We can’t believe how quickly 2024 has flown by! This year was filled with exciting projects, inspiring partnerships, and moments that made a real difference in our community.
Take a look back with us at some of the highlights that made this year so special.