BBF Supports New Fund to Protect Delaware County’s Natural Resources

Ball Brothers Foundation President & CEO Jud Fisher with The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County President & CEO Marcy Minton at Craddock Wetland Nature Preserve

Clean water, healthy land, and thriving wildlife don’t just happen on their own—they require care, protection, and long-term investment. That’s why Ball Brothers Foundation recently awarded a grant of $75,000 to support the launch of The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County’s Environmental Impact Fund. The Fund will expand The Community Foundation’s grantmaking resources for conservation with a broader focus on projects that protect the natural resources we all depend on.

As part of The Community Foundation’s Community Grants program, the fund is set up to support efforts such as keeping our groundwater clean, improving soil health, expanding outdoor recreation amenities, and even serving as matching funds for land acquisition related to preservation or conservation. While the scope is broad, the goal is clear: to create lasting, positive change for the land and water that sustain us. 

Ball Brothers Foundation has a long history of support for organizations and projects that preserve our region’s natural resources and nurture a love of nature, often in partnership with The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County as well as other local funders. The Community Foundation’s new fund will accept Letters of Intent on a rolling basis from local organizations working on environmental projects in Delaware County. 

“Ball Brothers Foundation was excited to provide early funding for this effort,” shared Jud Fisher, president and CEO of Ball Brothers Foundation. “We recognize that opportunities for land acquisition and preservation often come up quickly. The Community Foundation’s new fund will allow our community to respond nimbly to strategic opportunities while continuing the long-term work that has made our region a leader in conservation efforts.”

With the ability to receive gifts from donors of all sizes, the Environmental Impact Fund is designed to sustain conservation efforts benefiting Delaware County residents for generations to come. “Our organization is designed to be here forever, and so is this fund,” said Kallie Sulanke, Chief Community Partner for Outreach and Donor Relations. “By protecting our land, waterways, and ecosystems, we’re investing in the future of our community, ensuring that those who come after us can enjoy the same beauty and resources we do today.” Nonprofits interested in applying for funding and donors interested in contributing to the fund should contact The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County directly.

Learn more about the Environmental Impact Fund.