FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES CYCLE II GRANTS
Ball Brothers Foundation has announced the approval of grants resulting from its second and final grant cycle of the year to several organizations throughout Indiana. The majority of the grants will be distributed to organizations for local efforts while a select few grants were directed to groups with efforts outside the East Central Indiana region.
The recipient nonprofits are: Anderson University/CAPE of Madison County ($70,000), Ball State University/BOLD Campaign ($1,000,000), Community Foundation of Grant County/Project Leadership-Delaware County ($460,000), Independent Colleges of Indiana ($75,000), Ivy Tech Community College ($91,000), John Jay Center for Learning ($45,000), American Pianists Association ($15,000), Indianapolis Museum of Art ($50,000), Delaware County Soil and Water District/John Craddock Wetland ($443,500), Indiana Natural Resources Foundation ($30,000), Indiana University Foundation ($25,000), Youth Opportunity Center ($10,000), Ball State University/Guardian Scholars ($75,000), Habitat for Humanity ($114,000), United Way of Delaware County ($100,000), Energize-ECI ($100,000), High Performance Government Network ($50,000), LEAD-ECI ($165,000), Center for Rural Outreach and Public Service ($34,000), BMH Foundation/Professional Training Modules ($7,000), Muncie Children’s Museum ($15,000), Ball State University/Scholars JumpStart ($20,000), Muncie YMCA/Black Achievers Program ($24,000), BMH Foundation/Green Roof ($120,000).
Other organizations approved for grants outside the Foundation’s second cycle through separate grant programs include: Ball State University ($2,000), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware County ($2,500), City of Muncie ($2,500), Delaware County Soil and Water District ($5,000), Independent Colleges of Indiana ($5,000), Indiana Bar Foundation ($5,000), Indiana Black Expo-Muncie Chapter ($1,000), Indiana Policy Review Foundation ($5,000), Ivy Tech Community College ($5,000), Ivy Tech Foundation ($5,000), Muncie Boys and Girls Club ($3,500), Second Harvest Food Bank ($5,000), American Red Cross ($50,000).
“We are excited about the quality of the grants that were approved, said Jud Fisher, executive director and chief operating officer. Fisher cited two examples: “Project Leadership” and the John Craddock Wetland project.
“Project Leadership – Delaware County” will assist eligible students in signing up for the Twenty-first Century Scholars Program, a program that provides free tuition to Indiana’s public colleges and universities. Project Leadership also encourages students to develop a career track while instilling the importance of a post-secondary education. “This grant not only helps qualified students with free college tuition, it begins to form career goals by nurturing the student’s individual talents and skills as they progress from sixth grade through high school graduation,” stated Fisher.
The Grant County Community Foundation received the funding and will be working with the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and other Delaware County officials to implement and run the program. “The Grant County Community Foundation has successfully run a similar program and they are stepping up to expand their model across county lines,” said Fisher, adding, “this could potentially put hundreds of Delaware County students in position to go to college who otherwise could not afford it – we are looking forward to following this project closely.”
The John M. Craddock Wetland project addresses several outdoor learning and recreation needs in the community. The end result will improve the wetland by adding easier access while retaining and even enhancing the natural diversity and beauty of the property. “The Craddock Wetland is uniquely positioned as an outdoor experience located next to the White River on a major gateway to the city,” Fisher said. “This is a great opportunity to link up with other projects in that area such as the planned Kitsleman Trailhead of the Cardinal Greenway. The Craddock Wetland is a very special place that will see some wonderful improvements.” The Delaware County Soil and Water District will coordinate the project and several partners are expected to join in with funding and other forms of assistance.