2021 Year in Review
Did you know that you can receive our newsletters straight to your inbox? Newsletters are released once a quarter. Sign up here.
As we wrap up our 95th year of grantmaking, we are honored to continue to carry on the stewardship legacy of the Ball brothers and their families. This year, organizations throughout Muncie and Delaware County have done outstanding work and have undertaken incredible initiatives, and we look forward to seeing how the community will continue to flourish in the years ahead.
'The last mile': How BBF supports local vaccine distribution efforts
This year, Ball Brothers Foundation continued to fund local COVID-19 efforts, this time with a focus on vaccine distribution. In the spring, our own Jud Fisher and Rich Spisak were featured in the Delaware County Health Department's #IVaccinateForThem campaign, sharing why they chose to vaccinate.
“It was important to do this for my family, for my friends, for this community, for the healthcare workers.” — Jud Fisher
"I got vaccinated for three reasons: one, for myself; two, for you; and three, because it’s the right thing to do." — Rich Spisak
Laura Williamson and WaTasha Barnes Griffin join Fellows Program
In April, we announced our two Fellows for 2021, Laura Williamson (Muncie Civic Theatre) and WaTasha Barnes Griffin (YWCA of Central Indiana). Laura and WaTasha spent 9 months with our staff reading and engaging in dialogue about foundations, nonprofit effectiveness, boards, and more.
Board meets in person for first time since 2019
In May, our board met in person for the first time since the pandemic. We kicked off our time together with a visit to the new nationally-lauded Bob Ross exhibit, dinner at Minnetrista, and a site visit to the Kitselman Trailhead after our meeting. The board approved $3.3 million in grants during this meeting.
Daleville’s Melissa Crist recognized with Excellence in Teaching Award
In May, we were pleased to honor Melissa Crist, an English and journalism teacher at Daleville Junior/Senior High School, with this year's Excellence in Teaching Award. Brittney Garrett, a 6th grade math teacher at Daleville Elementary School, and Eli Jones, a middle and high school history teacher at Burris Laboratory School, were finalists for this year's award.
Project Sybertooth enhancing local cybercrimes training
In an effort to proactively address the growing threat of cyber attacks on our community, Ball Brothers Foundation last year began Project Sybertooth, a new funding initiative and community network to enhance training programs and to support cybercrime investigations. This year, we were excited to see some Project Sybertooth initiatives take shape.
Heather Williams named 2021 Fisher Governance Award winner
In October, we were proud to present this year's Fisher Governance Award to Heather Williams, former board president of ecoREHAB. “Heather Williams’s leadership of ecoREHAB does not follow the traditional constructs of board responsibilities,” Jason Haney, executive director of ecoREHAB, wrote in Williams’s nomination.
Grants fund purchase of drones, training—essential tools for law enforcement
This year, Ball Brothers Foundation awarded more than $50,000 to fund the purchase of drones and to create a unique program to train emergency responders on how to use drones in their work. “We use [drones] in a variety of ways, but they’ve become essential in documenting an accident scene," said Kyle Johnson, Delaware County’s Chief Information Officer.
‘Flipping the script’ on workforce development efforts
Grants to Erskine Green Training Institute, Madjax, and Future of Work programs are supporting local workforce development efforts that will help Muncie be more competitive and ready for post-pandemic ventures.
Driving innovation in higher education
For the past 23 years, Ball Brothers Foundation has partnered with ICI through the Ball Venture Fund, which supports projects rooted in innovation, creativity, and risk-taking—traits of the Ball brothers themselves. This June, after receiving a record number of applications, Ball Venture Fund grants were awarded to Bethel University, Marian University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and Saint Mary’s College.
Muncie Red Cross unveils—and then deploys—new Emergency Response Vehicle
This July, we joined the American Red Cross for a ribbon-cutting for its new Emergency Response Vehicle, for which we had granted $75,000 in 2018. One month after the ribbon-cutting, the Emergency Response Vehicle was deployed to Houston to provide support for those affected by Hurricane Ida.
Efforts underway to strengthen medical education in Muncie
In the height of COVID-19, Optimus Primary continued to expand efforts to strengthen medical education in Muncie with funding awarded by BBF. A range of initiatives underway this year include a sonography program at Ivy Tech, point-of-care ultrasounds at IU Health Ball Memorial, a living-learning community just off Ball State's campus for full-time IU School of Medicine–Muncie students, and a Bachelors-to-MD program that allows Muncie high school students who are accepted to Ball State to also become provisionally admitted to IUSM–M.
Funding partnership supports community's youth
With nonprofits across the region continuing to struggle in the wake of the pandemic, Ball Brothers Foundation and Indiana Youth Institute partnered up for the 17th year to provide support to local youth-serving organizations.
Board meets in Muncie, witnesses impact of funding
This October, our board met in Muncie and approved $6.5 million in grants. While in town, the board visited Madjax to see how the maker space has come to life over the past several years.
Ball Brothers Foundation presents Project Blueways to Indiana Park & Recreation Association
In November, Muncie played host to the Indiana Park and Recreation Association's annual conference, and Ball Brothers Foundation had the privilege of presenting information on Project Blueways and efforts that are underway to promote current and future recreational opportunities of the White River like canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and more.
A record-setting end to our 95th year
On November 19, Ball Brothers Foundation celebrated our 95th birthday. As one of the state’s oldest and largest private family foundations, we remain committed to improving the quality of life in the city, county, and state where the Ball brothers and their families lived and worked.
We closed out the milestone year with a record payout of $8.6 million. We are honored to carry on the legacy of those who came before us and to support the tireless work of those in our community who are working toward a better tomorrow.