Mid-Summer 2021: Spurring workforce development, driving innovation, and more
Recent grants are supporting local workforce development efforts, including Erskine Green Training Institute (left) and Madjax and Future of Work programs (middle and right). Photos courtesy of Erskine Green Training Institute and Madjax.
‘Flipping the script’ on workforce development efforts
Currently, “one issue that Muncie faces is our inability to develop the skilled workforce that is needed to meet the staffing requirements of our local employers,” shared Jane Ellery, chairman of the board for Sustainable Muncie in a recent grant request to BBF. But now, new efforts are underway to tackle that challenge head-on.
Recent grants from Ball Brothers Foundation are supporting local workforce development efforts that will help Muncie be more competitive and ready for post-pandemic ventures. $150,000 to Sustainable Muncie Corporation supports ongoing Madjax Makerforce initiatives and the continuation of Future of Work efforts, and $100,000 to The Arc of Indiana Foundation supports operations at Erskine Green Training Institute.
Driving innovation in higher education
“Colleges are going to have to find a way of differentiating themselves in order to stay alive,” said David Wantz, president and CEO of Independent Colleges of Indiana. “They've got to innovate, or they'll die.”
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.
Grants through the Ball Venture Fund—a longtime partnership between Ball Brothers Foundation and Independent Colleges of Indiana—support innovative projects in higher-education. Photos provided by Saint Mary's College and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Muncie Red Cross unveils new Emergency Response Vehicle
We were pleased to join the American Red Cross for a ribbon-cutting for its new Emergency Response Vehicle. Ball Brothers Foundation provided a grant of $75,000 toward the new vehicle in 2018.
The new vehicle will replace the existing Delaware County ERV and will help local Red Cross volunteers to more effectively serve people in crisis. While the new vehicle will be stationed at the Muncie Red Cross offices, it can also be deployed for state and national disasters.
(From left) Brice Johnson, executive director for the Red Cross Central Indiana Chapter, is joined by Jud Fisher, Kelly Shrock (The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County), and Kortney Zimmerman (George & Frances Ball Foundation) for the ribbon-cutting of the new Emergency Response Vehicle.
Nominate an exemplary board member for the Fisher Governance Award
The past two years have shown how valuable a strong board is to the resiliency of an organization, and dedicated board members will only prove more vital as we head into a new phase of recovery.
The John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award recognizes board members who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their organization. The recipient of the Fisher Governance Award earns a $10,000 grant to their respective organization from Ball Brothers Foundation.
Nominations are due by 4 p.m. on August 15.
Showing support on the green
The Ball Brothers Foundation team regularly engages in golf outings and other community events to show support of organizations and to network with grantees and community leaders. This summer, Senior Program Officer Rich Spisak represented BBF in the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce 2021 Chamber Cup, the Chamber's largest networking event.
Senior Program Officer Rich Spisak (right) and (from left) Neil Schmottlach, Jim Borgmann, and Dave Land participated in the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce 2021 Chamber Cup.
Thinking of applying for funding?
Preliminary applications for our final round of 2021 General Grants are closed; however, we continue to accept applications for Rapid Grants through November 30.
Meet with us!
Our team is now hosting meetings in person or via Zoom—whatever your comfort level.
To schedule a meeting with one of our staff members, please contact Michelle Stephenson.