May 2022: We'd like your feedback + Updates from our team
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We'd like your feedback!
We're in the process of rethinking our e-newsletters, and we'd greatly value your input. What content interests you most? How often would you prefer to hear from us? Please take our brief, 2-minute survey to let us know these and other things so we can best tailor future newsletters. Thank you in advance!
Thinking of applying for funding?
Preliminary applications for our next round of General Grants (to be awarded in the fall) will open June 1; deadline for submission is 4 p.m. on July 15. We are currently accepting Rapid Grants (funding up to $5,000) as well. Applicants are encouraged to meet with a Ball Brothers Foundation staff member prior to submission.
Our calendars are filling up quickly! Please reach out to Michelle Stephenson as soon as possible to schedule a meeting.
Snapshots:
What we've been up to this month
Our board met in mid-May and approved $2.4 million in grants, including $220,000 in grants for Project Blueways. These Project Blueways grants will:
Promote East Central Indiana as a destination for water recreation
Improve soil and water quality
Increase access to local waterways
Support collaborative watershed planning efforts
Stay tuned to learn more!
Our board is comprised of 3rd- and 4th-generation Ball family members and non-family members who have close ties to the community. While here in Muncie, board members and Associate Directors (next-generation Ball family members) engaged in strategic planning exercises that will help inform our “New Century Strategic Plan.” As part of our process, we have also invited nearly 100 grantees, peer leaders, and community members to complete a survey about BBF’s work, and our strategic planning consultant is conducting a series of follow-up interviews to gain additional insights.
Also during our May board meeting, Ball State University President Geoff Mearns met us to share plans for the revitalization of “the Village” adjacent to BSU’s campus. We were treated to a walking tour of the east side of BSU’s campus, which ties directly to the Village and is fundamentally transforming the look and feel of campus.
A hearty thank you to Scott Watkins, executive director of Orchestra Indiana, who met with our board and Associate Directors to share how the orchestra (formerly Muncie Symphony Orchestra) has transformed over the past year. Scott and a musician from Orchestra Indiana joined us for dinner, sharing insights into the orchestra’s new name and merger with the Marion Philharmonic, as well as recent marketing/branding efforts. BBF has been a long-time supporter of the orchestra, and our board and staff were delighted to spend an evening together with Scott learning about his vision for the future.
In case you missed it:
Yorktown High School's Ginger Thompson was named this year's Excellence in Teaching Award winner. Learn more about Ginger and this year's two other finalists here.
Nominations are open for the 2022 Fisher Governance Award, which recognizes an outstanding Delaware County nonprofit board member. Learn more and submit a nomination here.
We've switched to GoApply for funding requests and reports. Learn more here.