BBF Responds to COVID-19
MUNCIE— For over 90 years, Ball Brothers Foundation has provided grant dollars to support vital efforts in the Muncie/Delaware County community. From our earliest days, we have worked together with partners across the community to improve healthcare, to support education, and to advance quality of life efforts. We care deeply for the people of this city, our region, and our state, just as the generations who came before us.
It is with this tradition in mind and a sense of responsibility to those who work on the ground every day providing vital—even life-saving—services that Ball Brothers Foundation is taking the following approaches related to COVID-19.
Additional Support for Select Organizations
Ball Brothers Foundation has invited five local healthcare and emergency response organizations to apply for funding to address COVID-19 concerns. The organizations may request up to $5,000 each to support COVID-19 response needs such as the purchase of personal protective gear, equipment, or supplies; support for communications or public awareness campaigns; support to address workforce needs; and funding for other operational needs. Organizations invited to apply include: IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, Delaware County Emergency Medical Services, the City of Muncie, Open Door Health Services, and Meridian Health Services.
Recognizing the critical role that social service agencies play as part of the “safety net” of our community—especially for vulnerable populations—BBF has also invited several additional organizations to apply for special COVID-19 response funding.
Invited applicants must follow BBF’s “Rapid Grant” process, and submission of a request does not guarantee funding. BBF has instituted an expedited process for issuing grant funding to selected organizations.
A list of all funding awarded will be provided on BBF’s website in the coming days.
Precautions Being Taken in Our Work with Others
The Ball Brothers Foundation staff remains committed to supporting our grantees and community partners during this time of uncertainty.
As of 3/16/2020, BBF staff will work remotely. We will be available via email, and grantees and community members should not hesitate to contact us as usual. We look forward to hearing from you and to providing the same level of service and responsiveness you have come to expect.
For the foreseeable future, most of our meetings will transition from in-person meetings to virtual meetings. Michelle Stephenson, Executive Assistant and Communications Coordinator, will be in contact with those who are scheduled to meet with BBF staff to make virtual meeting arrangements.
For essential in-person meetings, BBF will retain careful records of contact information for each participant. This will allow BBF to be proactive in communicating with participants if we learn that our staff or other participants have been exposed to COVID-19.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Michelle Stephenson at michelle.stephenson@ballfdn.org.
Out of an abundance of caution, BBF is taking these extraordinary measures to protect the health of our community, our grantees, and our staff. We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing significant hardships for individuals and families, and we will continue to do what we can to mitigate its effects in the Muncie/Delaware County area. We look forward to brighter days ahead, and we stand behind those who are working tirelessly to contain the virus and continue vital services.
Established in 1926, Ball Brothers Foundation awards approximately $8 million annually in grants supporting 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 BBF’s home city, county, and state.
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