Amidst COVID Surge, Funding to Support Hospital Caregivers, Vaccine Distribution Planning Awarded by Ball Brothers Foundation
IU Health employees continue to provide outstanding, compassionate care to patients through one of the most challenging public health crises our community has ever faced. Photo used with permission from IU Health.
As COVID cases continue to surge locally, Ball Brothers Foundation is stepping up support to hospitals across the region as healthcare teams work around the clock to provide critical care to patients. A grant of $35,000 was awarded earlier this month to IU Health Foundation to assist with needs at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, IU Health Jay Hospital, and IU Health Blackford Hospital.
A team of Pastoral Care staff and others tasked with monitoring the emotional, physical, and well-being needs of hospital staff informally "rounded" to ask team members how needs could be better met. BBF funding will directly respond to identified needs:
creation of "tranquility spaces" at each hospital (to include dim lighting, music, etc.) with an additional dedicated room at Ball Memorial for physical activity (treadmills, yoga, etc.)
developing "mask free zones" and supplying tents with heaters where staff can get fresh air during their long shifts; and
purchase of food for frontline workers.
“This is, undoubtedly, one of the most significant public health crises in the nearly ninety-five-year history of both Ball Brothers Foundation and our local hospital system. As the year draws to a close and cases continue to rise, we know that healthcare workers are exhausted. We are pleased to support their efforts in this way,” commented Jud Fisher, president and chief operating officer of Ball Brothers Foundation.
Ball Brothers Foundation is also working with healthcare partners and officials across Delaware County to understand the logistics of local vaccine distribution and to provide flexible and nimble funding support.
Another grant of $25,000 was also awarded in early December to Open Door Health Services. The grant to Open Door is to help their team work collaboratively with other local healthcare workers and officials to prepare for vaccine distribution, as well as fund marketing and communications efforts.
“The promise and potential of COVID vaccines provides a glimmer of hope as 2020 draws to a close. Government officials, manufacturers, and healthcare providers are working tirelessly to prepare for the complex logistics involved in vaccine distribution. We know that logistics at the local level—‘The Last Mile’—will be particularly critical,” shared Fisher. “We want to do our part to ensure that Delaware County and the surrounding region have advanced funding to plan and prepare for the largest vaccination campaign in our lifetimes.”
A key aspect of this work includes public health messaging and local communications regarding vaccine safety and availability.
As the new year begins, Ball Brothers Foundation will continue exploring additional funding needs related to local vaccine distribution and communication.
To view a complete list of grants awarded in 2020, visit our website: https://www.ballfdn.org/grants-database
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Ball Brothers Foundation is one of the state’s oldest and largest family foundations. Annually, the foundation makes approximately $8 million in grants to support arts and culture, education, the environment, health, human services, and public affairs. The Muncie-based private foundation gives priority to projects and programs that improve the quality of life in BBF’s home city, county and state.