2022 Year in Review
As 2022 draws to a close, we couldn't help but notice how this community has transformed.
This year, our county and community has been greatly impacted as a result of the combined efforts of countless residents and organizations. Muncie will undoubtedly continue to evolve, and we look forward to our community's bright future.
JANUARY
Muncie leads in building pipeline of healthcare workers
In January, Optimus Primary partners gathered to celebrate several big wins that are cementing Muncie's identity as a leader in training physicians, nurses, sonographers, and allied health professionals.
FEBRUARY
Board retreat explores timely topics
In February, Ball Brothers Foundation’s board of directors and Associate Directors held a retreat to reflect on the foundation’s history and future. Speakers from four other foundations joined us for lively discussions about place-based grantmaking, supporting long-time family legacy organizations, engaging next generation family members, and building stronger connections between K-12 systems and employers. Special thanks to representatives from the Tracy Family Foundation, the Clark Foundation, and the George Gund Foundation for joining us along with Carol d’Amico formerly of Strada Education Network.
MARCH
New board member, and strategic planning initiative kickoff
In March, Ball Brothers Foundation was pleased to share that Rick Petty, a fourth-generation Ball family member, was appointed to the foundation’s board of directors. As the foundation approaches its 100th anniversary, the board launched its New Century Strategic Planning Process.
APRIL
Our Fellows Program welcomes Jason Haney and Jason Newman
In April, Ball Brothers Foundation happily welcomed our two new fellows: Jason Haney, CEO of ecoREHAB, and Jason Newman, CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Muncie. We met and discussed a wide variety of topics from foundations, nonprofit leadership, and more.
MAY
Yorktown’s Ginger Thompson recognized with Ball Brother’s Excellence in Teaching Award
Ginger Thompson didn’t always teach this way. When the high school Spanish teacher began her career 17 years ago, she said she was “a traditional teacher.” But several years ago, she discovered Comprehensible Input (CI), a teaching method that helped her stand out as the winner of this year’s Excellence in Teaching Award from Ball Brothers Foundation awarded in May.
JUNE
First round of grants support efforts for 33 projects
Our board announced funding totaling over $2.4 million during our first grantmaking round of the year. Grants were awarded to various organizations for efforts to improve recreational access to the White River, to address cybercrime, to meet childcare needs, and to make Muncie and Delaware county better places to live and work.
An exploration of the importance of the White River
This summer, Ball Brothers Foundation’s Jud Fisher shared insights into the foundation’s efforts to ramp up our funding support for projects related to the White River, the Mississinewa River, and other local watersheds through our “Project Blueways” initiative. The story of the White River may have started long ago, but the story of the future of our river—and the future of our community—starts here and now.
JULY
Ball Brothers Foundation dedicated funding to workforce development
We know that with continuous advancements in technology, work will soon look very different.
Throughout the year, Ball Brothers Foundation dedicated funding to a variety of workforce development programs to prepare for 21st century workforce needs.
AUGUST
A call to action to support our early childhood education providers
Ball Brothers took a local look at the early childhood education crisis. Despite this national and local concern, day by day, unsung heroes are working to shape the minds and lives of our youngest citizens.
Ball Brothers Foundation takes a trip on the White River
In August, our Ball Brothers staff teamed up with The Nature Conservancy to host a rafting trip on the White River through the heart of Muncie. Our rafting trip provided an opportunity to learn more about the White River and talk about exciting new plans for more canoe/kayak access through the heart of Muncie.
SEPTEMBER
Ball Brothers Foundation’s Northern Michigan Summit Trip explored the intersection of outdoor recreation and education
This fall, Ball Brothers Foundation took a group of eleven grantees on a special trip to Leland, Michigan where the foundation hosted a “Northern Michigan Summit.” For several days, the group explored the intersection of outdoor recreation and education, specifically the value of outdoor learning in the lives of children and young adults.
OCTOBER
Marta Moody recognized with 2022 Fisher Governance Award
In October, we were honored to present this year’s Fisher Governance Award to Marta Moody, board president of Cardinal Greenways.
Carl Erskine story premiere
Ball Brothers Foundation hosted a special documentary screening at Muncie Civic Theatre this fall. Our board, Associate Directors, and staff were joined by several hundred community members for the premiere of the new documentary, “The Best We’ve Got: The Carl Erskine Story.”
NOVEMBER
School Counseling, Outdoor Learning Awarded Funding as Part of $5 Million in New Grants
Ball Brothers Foundation approved over $5 million in funding during our final round of grantmaking in 2022. The grants included funding to support efforts that further bolster school counseling programs and expand outdoor learning throughout schools in the heart of Muncie, among other efforts.
DECEMBER
Waterways Film Tour and Premiere
In December, we partnered with The Nature Conservancy and Indiana Humanities to host a screening of films from the Waterways Film Tour at Muncie Civic Theatre. As part of this special screening, we premiered The Nature Conservancy’s new minidocumentary about the Upper White River, a film produced with funding support from Ball Brothers Foundation.
