Fall 2021: Record funding, drones, and more

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Ball Brothers Foundation awarded six grants of $40,000 each to partners in Optimus Primary, a strategic, collaborative partnership to strengthen the pipeline of medical professionals training in Muncie.

More than $6.5 million awarded to healthcare, education, and more in second round of 2021 grants

Last month, our Board of Directors approved over $6.5 million in our second round of funding for 2021. The grants support a variety of efforts, from bolstering local healthcare capabilities to supporting schools in the wake of the pandemic. With this round of funding, Ball Brothers Foundation will end our 95th year with a record annual payout totaling over $8.6 million.

Heather Williams named 2021 Fisher Governance Award winner

We were proud to present this year's Fisher Governance Award to Heather Williams, former board president of ecoREHAB. The John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award annually honors a nonprofit board member in Delaware County for exemplary leadership, integrity, responsibility, and accountability.

“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. “She has defined her role to fit the evolving needs of ecoREHAB.”

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. "In the old days, police would lay down markers and begin the tedious task of reconstructing what happened. A drone allows us to capture pictures that can be pieced together in one big mosaic and do the same thing. It’s the difference of a road being closed three or four hours to only an hour.”

Drones are often deployed to find missing persons, assist in search of fleeing fugitives, document accident and crime scenes, assist SWAT and criminal surveillance, and investigate homes too dangerous for humans to enter.

Ball Brothers Foundation presents Project Blueways to Indiana Park & Recreation Association

This year, the Indiana Park and Recreation Association hosted its annual conference and expo at Muncie's Horizon Convention Center. 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.

Dr. Jeff Bird honored with Al Rent Spirit of Muncie award

Dr. Jeff Bird, president of IU Health East Central Region and a board member of Ball Brothers Foundation, was recognized with the Al Rent Spirit of Muncie award at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting in October. The award is given annually to a Chamber of Commerce volunteer who is a role model, a respected leader, and a valued community volunteer. Learn more about Dr. Bird and Ball Brothers Foundation's other board members here.

Thinking of applying for funding?

Preliminary applications for our next round of General Grants (to be awarded in the spring) will open on January 1, 2022 and are due by 4 p.m. February 15.

If you plan to apply for a General Grant, please contact Michelle Stephenson to set up a meeting or phone call with BBF staff. This will allow us to provide feedback and help guide you through our application process.

Learn more about our grants