March 2022: Strategic Planning Kickoff, New Board Member Announcement, Documentary Trailer, and More
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Kicking off "New Century" Strategic Planning Process
Ball Brothers Foundation is just a few short years away from celebrating our 100th year of grantmaking. As we approach this milestone, we are embarking on our “New Century" strategic planning process.
We’ll be collecting feedback in the months ahead from grantees, peer foundations, community leaders, board members, next generation Ball family members, and others.
Meet Rick Petty: BBF's New Board Member & Treasurer
BBF is pleased to share that Rick Petty, a fourth-generation Ball family member and great-grandson of F.C. Ball, has been appointed as the foundation's newest board member. Rick is also serving as the Treasurer of the board.
Rick spent the early years of his life in Muncie and now lives in the greater New York City area where he serves as Chief Investment Officer of one of the world’s leading private, international philanthropic organizations. Rick has an extensive background in investments and finance having previously worked for Deutsche Bank, Bankers Trust, and Chase Manhattan Bank.
“Rick has been a trusted advisor for Ball Brothers Foundation for many years, and it is our honor to formally appoint him to our board of directors,” said Jud Fisher, the foundation’s president and chief executive officer in our latest press release.
Listening, Learning, & Touring
Over the past few weeks, we've been on the road meeting with grantees and making connections between state and local organizations. Here are a few snapshots of what our staff has been up to.
Over the past month, BBF’s Rich Spisak has been visiting early childhood providers across the city. As concerns about the childcare crisis gain national attention, BBF is looking at ways we can help locally through our Early Childhood Education Initiative.
Muncie Community Schools' popular pre-K program is benefitting from BBF funding for the purchase of supplies and integration of Reggio-based instruction focused on creativity, problem-solving, exploration, and open-ended play. BBF's Donna Munchel recently visited a pre-K classroom at Longfellow Elementary to see one of the district's classrooms in action.
We always love the chance to show off Muncie to friends both near and far. Earlier this month, BBF’s Jenna Wachtmann spent the afternoon touring town with Keira Amstutz, President & CEO of Indiana Humanities. They stopped by MadJax, Oakhurst, and the new Bob Ross exhibit at Minnetrista. Indiana Humanities, BBF, and the Ball family have a long history together dating back to the founding of Indiana Humanities.
As Vice-Chair of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, BBF's Jud Fisher is on the road each month visiting higher education institutions where he sees the latest innovations in higher ed. This month he visited MADE @ Plainfield, a collaboration between the town, public school system, Vincennes University, and Ivy Tech.
"The Best We've Got"
A $50,000 grant from Ball Brothers Foundation is helping to fund the production of a feature-length documentary film about Hoosier native and baseball great, Carl Erskine. Carl’s story highlights his life-long impact on race relations and treatment of those with physical and intellectual disabilities.
The premiere for the documentary will be held in August 2022 and the film will eventually be broadcast by PBS stations across the U.S.
New On-Line Application/Grant Reporting System is Live
BBF's new "GoApply" platform is live. Applicants and grantees should use this new system to submit all funding requests and final reports.
We want this to be a positive experience that helps streamline and simplify your experience. Have questions, concerns, or comments about the new system? Let us know!
Reminder: You must create a username/password for GoApply in order to submit grant applications and grant reports.