Ball Brothers Foundation appoints new board member and kickstarts new strategic planning initiative
MUNCIE, INDIANA — Ball Brothers Foundation hit a record high of $8.6 million paid out in awards last year as it proudly carried on the stewardship legacy of the Ball brothers and their families. As the foundation enters its 96th year of grantmaking in 2022, the board of directors is appointing a new board member and launching a strategic planning process.
Rick Petty, a fourth-generation Ball family member, was appointed to the foundation’s board of directors at its February meeting and was also elected to serve as treasurer of the board. Rick spent the early years of his life in Muncie, Indiana, and now resides in New York. He has served on the foundation’s Finance Committee since 2014.
Edmund F. (Rick) Petty, Jr.
“I am thrilled to join the board of directors at Ball Brothers Foundation to continue the family legacy of stewardship and to enhance the quality of life for those living in Muncie, Delaware County, and East Central Indiana,” said Rick, treasurer of the foundation’s board.
Rick brings to the foundation a lifetime of professional investment expertise. A graduate of Western Washington University, he earned his BA in economics and began a career in investment consulting, assisting institutional clients with investment strategy and product development. He has also served as head of investment consulting and as trust officer for Deutsche Bank, Bankers Trust, and Chase Manhattan Bank.
Rick is currently the chief investment officer of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation—one of the world’s leading private, international philanthropic organizations—which makes grants to nonprofit organizations in the areas of arts and culture, education, health and sports, and social welfare.
“Rick has been a trusted advisor for Ball Brothers Foundation for many years, and it is our honor to formally appoint him to our board of directors,” said Jud Fisher, the foundation’s president and chief operating officer.
As the foundation approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, the board of directors has launched its New Century Strategic Planning Process. This plan will ensure a strong, impactful conclusion to the foundation’s first century of grantmaking and set the strategic direction for 2023–2027.
“As we work to improve the quality of life in our community and in our state, we are committed to gathering insights and feedback from our valued community partners. This is critical to inform our grantmaking strategies and priorities,” said Jenna Wachtmann, vice president of the foundation.
As part of the strategic planning process, the foundation will survey and interview grantees, community leaders, and peer grantmakers to receive feedback on the foundation’s work. This feedback will help set the direction for the new five-year plan.
“As we look toward our centennial celebration in 2026, we are honored to carry on the stewardship legacy of the founding Ball brothers and their families,” said Fisher. “Ball Brothers Foundation has been privileged to lead through many historic events, such as the Great Depression, World War II, multiple recessions, and now a global pandemic. We are energized to finish our first 100 years strong and excited to see what opportunities come in the future.”
To learn more about Ball Brothers Foundation and its grantmaking initiatives, visit ballfdn.org.
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About Ball Brothers Foundation
Ball Brothers Foundation is one of the state’s oldest and largest family foundations. In 2022, the foundation will make $10 million in grants to support arts and culture, education, the environment, health, human services, and public affairs. The Muncie-based private foundation gives priority to projects and programs that improve the quality of life in the foundation’s home city, county and state.