$1 million grant supports Cardinal Commitment
MUNCIE, Ind.— Efforts to upgrade Ball State’s athletic facilities received a million-dollar boost recently when Ball Brothers Foundation announced recipients of its Cycle I grants program. More than 50 nonprofit organizations shared in awards totaling over $6 million.
“Our board was impressed that Ball State first completed its ‘Bold’ campaign that supports its academic mission and now is addressing its athletic needs with the Cardinal Commitment project,” said Jud Fisher, president and chief operating office of the foundation.
The university’s plan to enhance several aspects of its sports programs is in keeping with the goals of the Muncie Action Plan and the foundation’s Quality of Place Initiative, said Fisher. “We’re convinced that people want to live, learn, work and play in a community that offers a range of entertainment options. Recruiting talented student-athletes and coaches, creating a comfortable environment to watch sports, and improving the overall look of the campus are assets that directly contribute to economic growth and sustainability.”
Another Muncie Action Plan related grant geared to enhance recreation opportunities within the county supports the Prairie Creek bathhouse project. “We believe the bathhouse will be a substantial improvement for all users of Prairie Creek and will attract special events that need such a facility,” said Fisher.
Other cycle I grant recipients include:
The Arc of Indiana, Hospitality Training Institute, $80,000; Ball State University, The Ball Family History: A Legacy of Philanthropy, $120,500; Ball State University, ecoREHAB NetZero, $40,000; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware County, Community Based Mentoring, $60,000; Boys & Girls Club of Muncie, Longest Drive Jr. Golf Program, $10,200; Boys & Girls Club of Muncie, Teen Services Expansion, $7,500; Boys & Girls Club of Muncie, Summer Learning Loss Program, $10,000; Cancer Services of ECI, Agency Updating, Red Door Movement & Lunch and Learn, $25,000; Cardinal Greenway, Inc., Operating Support, $100,000; Children’s Bureau, Pro 100 – Muncie Module, $25,000; College Mentors for Kids, CMFK Delaware County, $20,000; Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 2013 Projects, $100,000; Delaware County Emergency Management, Community Preparedness Education, $100,000; Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District, John M. Craddock Wetland Nature Preserve, $150,000; ECI Regional Planning District, ECI Brownfields Development Program, $17,500; Hillcroft Services, Inc., Technology, Financial Literacy and Employment Seeking Training, $20,000; Huffer Memorial Children’s Center, Inc., Going Above and Beyond, $10,000; Indiana Council for Economic Education, Teacher Leaders in Economics, $6,700; Indiana Youth Institute, Capacity Building and Youth Development, $65,000; Ivy Tech Foundation, Muncie Capital Campaign, $150,000; MAPA, Rethinking Reentry, $45,000; Minnetrista, Operating, Capital & Collections, $2,600,000; Muncie Children’s Museum, New Math & Science Exhibit: Phase 2, $50,000; Muncie Community Schools, Camp Adventure Renewal Project, $100,000; Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, Muncie Three Trails Music Series, $20,000; Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, Downtown: The Original Muncie, $30,000; Music for All, Inc., Summer Symposium, $25,000; Parents Encouraging Parents, Parenting for Excellences of All Kinds, $15,000; Project Leadership, Project Leadership Delaware County, $100,000; Red-tail Land Conservancy, Inc., Branding & Marketing Initiative, $20,000; Ross Community Center, Baseball Facility Renovation, $600,000; Roy C. Buley Community Center, Summer Kaleidoscope/After School Program, $45,000; Roy C. Buley Community Center, MuncieP3, $73,000; Shafer Leadership Academy, Program Assessment & Development, $25,000; The Conservation Law Center, Indiana Freshwater Systems Quality and Quantity Phase 2, $25,000; Transition Resources Corporation, Nature Playscape for Head Start Delaware County, $75,000; United Day Care Center of Delaware County, Remodeling & Professional Development, $44,000; Youth Opportunity Center, Inc., Health & Wellness Program, $20,000; YWCA of Muncie, Boiler System Replacement, $120,000.
Other awards approved through separate grant programs outside the Foundation’s first cycle include: Ball State Sports Link, Digital Sports Production Media Center, $5,000; Bridges Community Services, Inc., Rapid ReHousing/Homeless Prevention, $5,000; Delaware Advancement Corporation, Strengthening Community Pride & Image, $5,000; Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District, SWCD Public Awareness Project, $3,505; Muncie Civic Theatre, Emergency Repairs, $5,000; New Castle Area Career Programs, Career Program Equipment, $2,579; TEAMWork for Quality Living, 2013 Delaware County Poverty Awareness, $5,000; Women in Business Unlimited, WIBU Catalyst for Empowering Women, $3,000; Youth Opportunity Center, Inc., Delaware County Worksite Wellness, $5,000; YWCA of Muncie, Strategic Planning, $5,000, Liberty Perry Community Schools, Excellence in Teaching Award Finalist, $1,000; Muncie Community Schools, Excellence in Teaching Award Finalist, $1,000; Yorktown Community Schools, Excellence in Teaching Award Winner, $15,000; Cardinal Greenway, Inc. 2013 BBF Fellows Program, $7,500; Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 2013 BBF Fellows Program, $7,500.
More information on Ball Brothers Foundation can be found at http://www.ballfdn.org/