BBF stays on track with its Quality of Place and Workforce Development Initiatives

Large grants toward the Community College and Vision 2016 effort tied to Muncie Action Plan

Muncie, Ind. – Ball Brothers Foundation awarded over 50 grants to various organizations during its first grant making period of the year. The grants were approved at the foundation’s May board meeting. Several grants were delivered in support of Muncie Action Plan initiatives.

“The Foundation saw opportunities to continue to strengthen the appearance of downtown Muncie while assisting specific organizational needs,” said Jud Fisher, president and chief operating officer of the foundation. “Ivy Tech’s campaign and commitment to downtown Muncie allowed us to address their requirement for continued campus renovations,” Fisher said. The Ivy Tech grant amounted to $250,000. Fisher also stated that another grant, to Cornerstone Center for the Arts, adds to the beautification of downtown along Madison Street. “Downtown is looking better and better as so many organizations work to create a more vibrant and exciting place to work and visit. Ivy Tech and Cornerstone both had proposals that fit our Quality of Place Initiative perfectly.”

Fisher also cited the foundation’s Workforce Development Initiative as the reason his board of directors voted to support Vision 2016 with a $200,000 grant. “The Vision programs have historically seen a diverse group of community organizations and individuals come together in a special funding and communications partnership,” he said. “Vision 2016 will be a powerful driver for continued business attraction and retention. The foundation is optimistic about the next five year effort of our community’s economic alliance and the opportunities for Muncie and Delaware County.”

Fisher also stated that a new board member had joined the foundation. “We are pleased to welcome Terri Matchett to our organization,” he said. Matchett, president of First Merchant’s Trust department, brings years of volunteer work and business experience to the governance structure of Ball Brothers.

Ball Brothers Foundation’s announcement includes the most recent grants payout by the foundation.

The local, regional and state nonprofit organizations that will benefit from BBF’s first-cycle grant awards are as follows: Music for All, Summer Symposium, $25,000; Cornerstone Center for the Arts, $90,000; Ball State University, Look to Learn at the Owsley Museum of Art, $35,000; Ivy Tech Foundation, $250,000; College Mentors for Kids, $20,000; James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association, Luke Bracken Wiese Fund for Juvenile Diabetes at Riley Hospital, $100,000; Youth Opportunity Center, YOC Wellness, $70,000; United Way of Delaware County, Community Solutions, $100,000; Indiana Youth Institute, $75,000; Delaware Advancement Corporation, Vision 2016, $200,000; Cardinal Greenways, Inc., $100,000; High Performance Government Network, City of Muncie High Performance Alignment, $50,000; Boys & Girls Club of Muncie, Longest Drive Golf Program, $15,000; Roy C. Buley Community Center, Operating Support, $46,000; Camp Adventure, Renewal Project, $100,000; A Better Way Services, Inc., $20,000; Muncie Parks Department, City Parks Basketball Court Project, $13,000; Red-tail Land Conservancy, Inc., $23,000; Lifestream Services, $26,000; Muncie Delaware Clean and Beautiful, $17,400; ECI Small Business Development Center, The Core to Business Success, $10,000; Roy C. Buley Community Center, MuncieP3 Emerging Scholars, $73,000; Blackford County Schools, Literacy Specialist Training Program, $24,000; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware County, $7,000; Whitely Community Council, Neighborhood Education and Resource Redistribution Project, $10,000; Project Leadership, $100,000; Eastbrook Alternative Energy Group, Wind Energy Network, $15,000; John Jay Center for Learning, Career/Connect VocEd Center, $35,000; Hillcroft Services, Inc., $26,650.

Also: Greater Muncie, Indiana Habitat for Humanity, Ball Brothers Foundation Fellows Program, $7,500; Inside Out, CDC, Ball Brothers Foundation Fellows Program, $7,500; American Red Cross-Hoosier Heartland Chapter, The Ladder UPP Program, $4,050; Ball State University, HIV in Central Indiana, $2,000; Ball State University, Indiana Public Radio, $5,000; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware County, $5,000; Blackford County Economic Development, Fiber Optics Communications Project, $3,000; Boy Scouts of America, Camp Red Wing Transportation Assistance, $5,000; Delaware Advancement Corporation, Technology Upgrade, $1,850; Delaware County Health Department, Weight of the Nation Conference, $4,100; Eaton Volunteer Fire Department, Communications Upgrade, $5,000; Gateway Association, Inc., Safety Upgrade, $2,500; Healthy Communities of Henry County, Wilbur Wright Trail, $5,000; Huffer Memorial Children’s Center, Inc., Healthy Children/Healthy Care, $2,500; Indiana Grantmakers Alliance, Educating Candidates about Indiana Philanthropy, $5,000; MAPA, Strategic Planning, $5,000; Muncie Action Plan, Early Childhood Education Planning, $5,000; Muncie Children’s Museum, Conference, $2,388; Muncie Young Professionals, $5,000; Open Door Health Services, Inc., Health Extravaganza, $5,000; Ross Community Center, Inc., Athletic Program Rebuilding, $5,000; Roy C. Buley Community Center, BSU Outdoor Pursuits, $5,000; United Way of Delaware County, IREAD Intervention Workshop, $2,400; United Way of Central Indiana, Statewide Early Childhood Business Network, $5,000; Women in Business Unlimited, Inc., Catalyst for Empowering Women, $3,000.

Ball Brothers Foundation concentrates its philanthropic efforts on East Central Indiana with a particular focus on Delaware County. BBF offices are located in downtown Muncie. The foundation’s Web address ishttp://www.ballfdn.org/