Spring 2021: Supporting momentum in our community

Coming off of 2020, we are optimistic about seeing light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel: local hospitalizations are down significantly from their peak, vaccines are now readily available to Hoosier adults, and our healthcare partners can see hope with every vaccine shot they give.

Take a closer look at a few of the ways Ball Brothers Foundation has recently been supporting momentum in our community, within the health sphere and beyond.

Efforts underway this spring to strengthen medical education in Muncie

In the height of COVID-19, Optimus Primary continued to expand efforts to strengthen medical education in Muncie with funding awarded by BBF. This spring, a range of initiatives are underway:

IU School of Medicine–Muncie is using BBF support to market its Bachelors-to-MD program, which allows for Muncie high school students who are accepted to Ball State to also become provisionally admitted to IUSM–M.
IUSM–M and Ball State are partnering to establish the Village Promenade Learning Laboratory, a living-learning community for full-time IUSM–M students just off Ball State’s campus. The VPLL is an expansion of the existing of Maplewood Mansion Laboratory, which has been immensely successful.
Ivy Tech Muncie is developing a new Diagnostic Medical Sonography associate degree program—one of the only programs of its kind across Indiana. The program allows for graduates to earn higher wages and to hit the ground running with advancing diagnostic technology used in hospitals.
IU Health Foundation is purchasing point-of-care ultrasound devices for use by medical residents, allowing future physicians to become fully trained on cutting-edge technology.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RECENT OPTIMUS PRIMARY GRANTS

Meet our 2021 Fellows

We are pleased to welcome WaTasha Barnes Griffin, CEO of the YWCA, and Laura Williamson, executive director of Muncie Civic Theatre, as this year's Fellows. The Fellows Program provides East Central Indiana nonprofit leaders and outstanding community leaders with an opportunity to broaden their understanding of the foundation world and to develop new leadership skills.

As we usher in WaTasha and Laura, we say goodbye to our 2020 Fellows, Julie Borgmann, executive director of Red-tail Land Conservancy, and Chad Zaucha, president/CEO of the YMCA of Muncie. Thank you, Julie and Chad, for a wonderful year!

'The last mile': How BBF supports local vaccine distribution efforts

To date, Ball Brothers Foundation has awarded more than $600,000 in grants to support COVID-19 relief efforts, including recent funding totaling $70,000 to assist in the local distribution of vaccines. An additional phase of vaccine distribution funding is anticipated for later this spring.

“The logistics of vaccine distribution are deeply complicated, and success will ultimately come down to the last mile—the process of actually getting shots out of vials and into people’s arms. As a locally-focused grantmaker, we are uniquely positioned to provide early support to help ensure our community is equipped to expediently, efficiently, and equitably distribute the vaccine.”

— JUD FISHER

Throughout the pandemic, Ball Brothers Foundation has partnered with the Delaware County Health Department and other health agencies to distribute accurate and timely information to the community. This has included serving as a convener for organizations throughout Muncie and providing funding for outreach campaigns, like #IVaccinateForThem. The campaign recently featured our own Jud Fisher and Rich Spisak in a video, with each sharing why they chose to vaccinate.

“It was important to do this for my family, for my friends, for this community, for the healthcare workers.”

— JUD FISHER

"I got vaccinated for three reasons: one, for myself; two, for you; and three, because it’s the right thing to do."

— RICH SPISAK

Nominate an exemplary board member for the Fisher Governance Award

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Fisher Governance Award.

Each year, the John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award recognizes a Delaware County board member whose strategic planning and oversight skills have contributed to the achievement of the organization’s mission, financial stability, and general effectiveness. The award includes a $10,000 grant to the organization the board member represents.

Nominations must be submitted by 4 p.m. August 15.

LEARN MORE AND NOMINATE A BOARD MEMBER

Thinking of applying for funding?

Preliminary applications for our next round of General Grants (to be awarded in the fall) will be accepted beginning June 1 and are due by 4 p.m. July 15. We are currently accepting Rapid Grants as well.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GRANTS

Meet with us!

The Ball Brothers Foundation team continues to operate on a rotating schedule, with our staff taking turns working in the office and working from home. We are available to meet via Zoom, by phone, or in person outdoors—in fact, we highly encourage outdoor meetings!

To schedule a meeting with one of our staff members, please contact Michelle Stephenson.

*BBF staff members recently met with Julie Borgmann at Red-tail Land Conservancy's Dutro-Ernst Woods, one of our favorite outdoor meeting spots.*