Spreading some good news in 2020
FALL 2020 NEWSLETTER
2020 has been a long, challenging year, to say the least. Providing a hopeful look ahead, Ball Brothers Foundation is excited to share some good news during these difficult times. From community grants to the city's growing tech industry, there is much to celebrate right here in Muncie and Delaware County.
While our Fall 2020 newsletter may seem long, it's a strong indicator of just how many great things are happening in our community.
Ball Brothers Foundation staff (left to right: Rich Spisak, Michelle Stephenson, Jud Fisher, Donna Munchel, Jenna Wachtmann) in front of the new Kitselman Trailhead bridge.
Over $6 million in grants made in final cycle of 2020
With many organizations facing significant funding challenges and changes in the way they deliver services over the past several months, Ball Brothers Foundation has been paying close attention to the needs of organizations throughout our community.
Our October 2020 slate of grants demonstrates our commitment to supporting local nonprofits, schools, workforce development organizations, and other local entities as they adapt to new circumstances. Here's a look into some of the top areas of support in our recent round of grants:
Education: A range of education-focused grants will help to support learners of all ages. Funding is designed to help local childcare agencies, schools, and universities adapt to changes brought on by the COVID pandemic and to help strengthen these institutions for the future.
Nonprofits: Many nonprofit organizations have been hit hard by the COVID pandemic. Some are facing cash flow challenges, the loss of significant event income, staffing challenges, and more. For many years, Ball Brothers Foundation has supported efforts to strengthen nonprofits with capacity-building efforts. This is even more critical than ever in the months and years ahead.
Quality of Life: Throughout the pandemic, our board has remained keenly aware of our long-term commitments to improving the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County. In addition to addressing immediate needs, our board has continued to consider a range of requests that pave the way for a brighter future.
Grants fuel healthcare training momentum in Muncie
Since 2016, Ball Brothers Foundation has been working with healthcare providers in a strategic, collaborative partnership, called Optimus Primary, to boost local physician training programs and retention. These efforts are especially critical today, with the United States facing a physician shortage, Delaware County ranking 85th out of 92 Indiana counties in health outcomes, and the COVID pandemic posing added challenges to healthcare providers.
Optimus Primary's efforts over the past several years have put Muncie on the map as a leading center of healthcare education in the state. This fall, as part of our final round of 2020 grants, Ball Brothers Foundation awarded 4 grants of $40,000 each to continue Optimus Primary’s momentum:
Ball State University funding will replicate elements of the popular “Maplewood Mansion” (housing for medical students) in another part of Muncie where medical students will be at the heart of retail-restaurant-nightlife. Funding will also support expansion of the Healthy Lifestyle Center to incorporate third- and fourth-year medical students and secure additional equipment to provide pulmonary function testing, at-home sleep assessments, and more.
Ivy Tech funding will create an associate degree program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, helping to meet a demand for medical sonographers identified by IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital and allowing students to obtain credentials in a high-demand, high-wage field.
IU Health Foundation funding will allow IU Health Ball Memorial to purchase and integrate the use of Point-of-Care ultrasound technology into the Family Medicine and Internal Medicine residency clinics, providing physicians-in-training a best-in-class training opportunity. Funding would also enhance Resident Wellness efforts to prevent physician burnout and suicide.
IU School of Medicine–Muncie funding will support programmatic elements of the expanded medical housing program, bolster marketing of the new bachelors-to-MD program in partnership with BSU, and develop a strategic plan to better align IUSM–M with IU Health Ball Memorial's Residency Program.
COVID grants provide PPE, free testing, and more
To date, Ball Brothers Foundation has awarded nearly $500,000 for COVID-specific needs throughout our community. Highlights of just a few recent COVID Rapid Grants include:
Three rounds of “mini-grants” via BY5 for Paths to QUALITY Level 0-2 childcare providers to assist with the purchase of cleaning supplies, PPE, and other needs.
A Rapid Grant to Open Door for promotion of its free COVID-19 testing.
A Rapid Grant to Meridian Health Services to support the cost of flu vaccines to be used during its free “Flu-lapalooza,” which was held in mid-October.
Rapid Grants to support “Mental Health First Aid Training” for 175 public school teachers across Delaware County. The training is equipping teachers to respond to increased anxiety, depression, and other challenges that students are facing as a result of the pandemic. The program is being delivered in partnership with Meridian Health Services, Project Leadership, and The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County.
Xtern program expansion to bring tech talent to Muncie
TechPoint, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit growth accelerator for the state's tech sector, is expanding its 10-week summer internship program, Xtern, to Muncie. Ball Brothers Foundation made $5,000 Rapid Grants to both Innovation Connector and to TechPoint to help make this expansion possible.
Kitselman Trailhead bridge near completion
The Kitselman Trailhead bridge—part of a multi-million dollar project supported by local, state, and federal funders, including $1.2 million from Ball Brothers Foundation—is nearly complete.
In mid-October, Ball Brothers Foundation partnered with the Cardinal Greenway to host a project update meeting for local donors and community leaders, which included a tour of the site.
Once finished, the trailhead will connect the Cardinal Greenway and the White River Greenway via a pedestrian bridge, as well as revitalize the eastern gateway into Muncie.
The next phase of work is slated to include: installing stairs on the east side to provide direct access to the river, re-routing a section of trail to connect the bridge to the Cardinal Greenway west of the river, and adding public art and signage. Project leaders are still working to raise additional local funding to complete the project.
The bridge is located on the east side of Muncie near the intersection of State Rd 32 and Bunch Blvd, near the John Craddock Wetland Nature Preserve. The project is part of a 20+ year vision to promote trail connectivity.
Fisher Governance Award recognizes Ron Fauquher
According to our president/COO, Jud Fisher, “Superior board members selflessly lead their organization not just in good times, but also in challenging times; Ron Fauquher is such a board member.” Ron was named this year's recipient of the Fisher Governance Award in recognition of his 17 years of exceptional service to the Innovation Connector Board of Directors.
Ron’s leadership has played a critical role in establishing the Innovation Connector’s reputation over the years and, in turn, Muncie, as a distinguished location for start-up and small business support.
Each year, Ball Brothers Foundation awards a $10,000 grant to the winner's respective nonprofit. In recognition of their board members' outstanding contributions during this exceptionally challenging year, Ball Brothers Foundation also awarded $500 grants to each organization that submitted a nomination.
Nominations for next year's Fisher Governance Award will be open from March 1–August 15, 2021. Learn more about the Fisher Governance Award and nomination criteria here.
Jud Fisher presents the Fisher Governance Award to Ron Fauquher, 2020 recipient of the award. Ron was recognized for his exceptional service to the Innovation Connector Board of Directors.
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, 2021 and are due by 4 p.m. February 15.
As always, we encourage you to reach out to schedule a time to chat with one of our staff via phone or Zoom before applying for a grant. To schedule a meeting, please email us at info@ballfdn.org.