City’s Two K-12 Public School Systems to benefit from Ball Brothers Foundation grants
MUNCIE, Ind.—Students attending Muncie Community Schools (MCS) and Burris Laboratory School will benefit this year from several curriculum additions supported by two Ball Brothers Foundation grants. Of the more than $3 million distributed by the foundation in its first grant-making cycle of 2017, the local schools shared $580,000—MCS receiving $305,000 and Burris, $275,000—to introduce and strengthen innovative and digitally rich programming.
“At a time when education budgets are tight, these funds will expand opportunities within Muncie’s urban core,” said Jud Fisher, president and chief operating officer of the foundation. “This is part of our internal Central City Education Initiative and is designed to support what our board calls ‘margin of excellence activities’ that otherwise might not be possible.” Fisher commended both school districts for their efforts to “focus on ways to prepare students for a competitive and digital-savvy world.”
In keeping with its strategic plan, MCS will introduce a television broadcasting sequence at the high school level and improve student access to honors and advanced placement courses. Middle-grade students will benefit from a fully functional learning management system, and elementary school students will have the option to participate in a bilingual immersion program.
Burris faculty members plan to expand the school’s computer science curriculum, continue to develop its innovation center and strengthen the range of extracurricular options that encourage students to pursue activities that reflect their interests and abilities. “One of the great things about the Ball Brothers Foundation grant is the flexibility to identify key areas in the building that we want to enhance,” said Dawn Miller, principal at Burris Laboratory School. “We want to provide as many robust opportunities as we can for our students, but finances are always a challenge. That’s where foundation support has made the difference.”
Of all Indiana schools ranked recently by U.S. News and World Report, Burris placed 11th out of 736 schools and received a silver medal citation; MCS earned a bronze medal for its 58th place listing out of 736 schools. “Our grant to MCS is designed first and foremost to expand opportunities for students and then to support teacher and administrative needs,” said Fisher. “Our Burris grant recognizes the unique role the school plays in the community. Since its establishment as part of BSU’s Teachers College, Burris truly has served as a laboratory for innovation in teaching and learning. These funds will build on that tradition.”
Other organizations and programs to receive Ball Brothers Foundation support in the most recent grant-making cycle are:
Health and wellness
Ball State University, Optimus Primary—Healthy Lifestyle Centers, $100,000
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Foundation, Optimus Primary—Primary and Behavioral Health, $150,000
Indiana University School of Medicine-Muncie, Optimus Primary—Enhancing Physician Training and Improving Community Health, $150,000
Meridian Health Services, Optimus Primary—Integrated Health Care Education Institute, $100,000
Organizations benefiting youth
Boys and Girls Club of Muncie, Operating Support, $40,000
Indiana Youth Institute, Organizational Effectiveness Grants, $60,000
Motivate Our Minds, Operating Support, $40,000
Project Leadership, Career and College Readiness Initiative, $300,000
Project Leadership, ICE League, $35,000
Roy C. Buley Community Center 2017 AIM Summer Program Collaboration, $80,000
Roy C. Buley Community Center, EDGE After-School Program, $40,000
Teen Works, Career Pathways Initiative, $60,000
Recreation
Cardinal Greenways, Inc., Operating Support, $350,000
Arts and culture
Music for All, Summer Symposium, $25,000
Muncie Arts and Culture Council, Operating Support, $10,000
Facilities upgrades
Transition Resources Corporation, Muncie Head Start Boiler Replacement, $50,000
United Day Care Center Playground Renovation, $15,000
Roy C. Buley Community Center, ICE League Facility Enhancements, $75,000
Ross Community Center, ICE League Facility Enhancements, $75,000
Boys and Girls Club of Muncie, ICE League Facility Enhancements, $75,000
Muncie YMCA, ICE League Facility Enhancements, Northwest Facility, $75,000
Sustainable Muncie Corporation, MadJax ADA Entrance and Website, $50,000
Education
Ball State University Immersive Learning Seminar Support, $25,000
Shafer Leadership Academy, Growth and Sustainability Support, $30,000
Human services
Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity, Growth and Expansion—Housing Program and ReStore, $280,000
Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity, 8Twelve Coalition Projects, $60,000
United Way of Delaware County, 2017 Campaign, $75,000