Approaching a Century

For Ball Brothers Foundation, 2025 was a year marked by both reflection and anticipation. It offered an opportunity to consider how a long-standing commitment to place continues to shape our work today—and into the future.

Ball Brothers Foundation is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, placing it among the state—and the nation’s—oldest grantmaking foundations. 

The foundation was formed in 1926 to continue the philanthropic legacy of the five Ball brothers and their families, who established Ball Brothers Manufacturing Company in Muncie to produce cans, bottles, and jars. Created to exist in perpetuity, Ball Brothers Foundation has supported countless initiatives over the past 100 years that have strengthened Muncie, Delaware County, East Central Indiana, and the state of Indiana. 

As we begin Ball Brothers Foundation’s 100th year, I’m reminded what a rare milestone this is. Founded in 1926, BBF is one of the oldest family foundations in Indiana—and among the longest-standing in the nation. For a century, we have remained focused on East Central Indiana, building enduring relationships and providing steady, place-based support. That long view continues to shape how we approach our work today.

Throughout 2026, we’ll mark this milestone by sharing more of our history and by highlighting the partners who help define our community. You'll see the first of these features in this month's newsletter. 

Ball Brothers Foundation President & CEO Jud Fisher was a guest of WMUN’s Steve Lindell on the February 10, 2026 episode of “Delaware County Today.” The duo discussed BBF’s plans for grantmaking in 2026 and projects currently in the pipeline including outdoor learning and nature play and youth sports and recreation.

BBF’s President & CEO, Jud Fisher, recently sat down with Ball State University President Geoff Mearns for a thoughtful conversation about the Ball Brothers Foundation’s history, connections to Ball State University, Jud’s path to leadership, and what it means to steward an organization with deep and personal ties to its community.

This year, Ball Brothers Foundation marks 100 years of grantmaking in Muncie, Delaware County, East Central Indiana, and across the state. While the Ball brothers and their families could not have predicted the many changes, challenges, and opportunities that would shape our community over the past century, their commitment to improving the quality of life in the city and region that meant so much to them continues to guide the foundation’s work today.

Earlier this month, Ball Brothers Foundation convened local sports and recreation leaders for a conversation focused on youth sports and recreation, access, and coordination across Delaware County. The gathering brought together nearly 40 representatives from local leagues, school athletic directors and administrators, nonprofits that offer sports programming, tourism representatives, and city officials to share perspectives on what is working well—and where challenges and gaps exist—in the local sports and recreation landscape.

Before we turn the page to a new year-and the foundation's 100th anniversary-we wanted to pause and look back at 2025. This year, Ball Brothers Foundation paid out $8.9 million in grants to organizations across Muncie and East Central Indiana—supporting the people and programs working every day to strengthen our community.

As Ball Brothers Foundation looks ahead to its 100th year of grantmaking in 2026, we’re grateful for the opportunity to support this community. Our roots in Muncie and East Central Indiana run deep, and our place-based grantmaking approach reflects a long-held belief: that strong communities grow from local leadership, shared vision, and long-term commitments. This year, BBF paid out $8.9 million in grants supporting arts and culture, education, health, human services, the environment, and community initiatives.

Op-Ed by Jud Fisher

Muncie’s Old West End (OWE) is on the cusp of major redevelopment. Empty lots have plans attached to them, long-vacant properties have been mapped for future use, and the community has aligned around a vision for what’s next. Block by block, a historic neighborhood adjacent to downtown Muncie is gaining new life.

As Ball Brothers Foundation prepares to bid farewell to longtime Senior Program Officer Rich Spisak, we wanted to share a more personal look at his time with the foundation. Rich has been a steady presence at BBF for 17 years—known for his straightforward style, deep commitment to nonprofit partners, and his good humor. In the Q&A below, Rich reflects on the experiences, relationships, and moments that shaped his work and his perspective.

Ball Brothers Foundation is marking the retirement of Senior Program Officer Rich Spisak, who will conclude 18 years of service with the foundation at the end of the year. Rich joined Ball Brothers Foundation in 2008 and has been a central figure in the foundation’s growth—helping strengthen its grantmaking approach, deepen relationships with nonprofit partners, and advance major community initiatives throughout Muncie and East Central Indiana. 

Congratulations to Tony Pierce, board president of Delaware County Futbol Club, on being named the 2025 Fisher Governance Award recipient. From his early days of coaching on the sidelines to his leadership today of the club’s rapidly growing recreation and travel soccer programs, Tony’s dedication and vision have helped more kids get in the game. 

Ball Brothers Foundation President & CEO Jud Fisher was a guest of WMUN’s Steve Lindell on the Nov. 4, 2025 episode of “Delaware County Today.” The duo discussed recent BBF funding for developing the healthcare talent pipeline in East Central Indiana, supporting collaborative housing development projects, and more.

Earlier this month, Ball Brothers Foundation joined more than 20 community leaders, funders, and local officials for a tour of the Kitselman Trailhead construction site on Muncie's east side.

The project is transforming the area into a safer and more welcoming gateway for trail users and for vehicles. In addition to rebuilding the levee that protects nearby neighborhoods and downtown from flooding, the work will realign the Cardinal Greenway to remove a dangerous road crossing and create a smoother, safer connection along the 60+ mile trail.

ecoREHAB was founded in 2009 by a Ball State University faculty member with a vision: to breathe new life into vacant houses and provide architecture and design students meaningful, hands-on experience. What started as a university studio course has since evolved into an independent nonprofit working at the intersection of neighborhood revitalization, sustainability, and workforce development.

Nearly 40 community leaders—including early childhood professionals, K–12 school administrators and teachers, nonprofit leaders, university representatives, and funders—joined Ball Brothers Foundation last month for a day-long Outdoor Learning Field Trip exploring innovative outdoor play and learning spaces across Delaware County.

Last week, Ball Brothers Foundation marked two decades of its Fellows Program, bringing together nearly half of our alumni for a celebratory dinner.

Since 2005, the program has provided nonprofit leaders in East Central Indiana with opportunities to exchange ideas and strengthen dialogue between the foundation and grantees. 

This evening marks a special milestone: 20 years of the Fellows Program. When we started this program back in 2004, the idea was simple but powerful. We wanted to give nonprofit leaders in East Central Indiana the chance to step away from the daily whirlwind of running organizations, to sit down face-to-face with foundation staff, and to have the kind of honest, two-way dialogue that builds stronger leaders and stronger communities. 

Ball Brothers Foundation recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Fellows Program, bringing together nearly half of the program’s alumni for a special evening of reflection, connection, and recognition at the Delaware County Country Club.  

The Fellows Program, launched in 2004, was created to provide two East Central Indiana nonprofit leaders each year with an opportunity to broaden their understanding of the foundation world.

In some neighborhoods across Muncie, vacant lots and aging homes tell the story of a community once built on industry—and the challenges that followed when those industries left. For families, the lack of stable and affordable housing often means living with uncertainty. Founded locally in 1986, Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity has spent nearly four decades working to change that story.

For decades, The Village has been a gathering place just off Ball State’s campus. Now, a bold revitalization effort is underway—rooted in arts, culture, and innovation. Ball Brothers Foundation was proud to invest $2.5 million toward the new performing arts center that will anchor the district and serve as a cultural and economic driver for the region.

Grounded in Place

As Ball Brothers Foundation approaches its 100th year, we find ourselves reflecting on the impact of a nearly century-long commitment to our community, including the natural landscapes, people, and cherished traditions that have sustained that impact through generations.