City’s Two K-12 Public School Systems to benefit from Ball Brothers Foundation grants
Students attending Muncie Community Schools (MCS) and Burris Laboratory School will benefit this year from several curriculum additions supported by two Ball Brothers Foundation grants. Of the more than $3 million distributed by the foundation in its first grant-making cycle of 2017, the local schools shared $580,000—MCS receiving $305,000 and Burris, $275,000—to introduce and strengthen innovative and digitally rich programming.
Liberty Perry Community Schools teacher selected for 2017 ‘Excellence in Teaching Award’
In conjunction with National Teacher Appreciation Week, Ball Brothers Foundation (BBF) is pleased to announce that Chris Holdren, a 5th grade teacher at Selma Elementary, was selected as BBF’s 2017 Excellence in Teaching Award winner. The honor includes a $15,000 grant to be divided between the winner’s district, school, and classroom.
BBF Announces Judging Panel, Call for Teacher Nominations
Ball Brothers Foundation will again honor Delaware County teachers in 2017 through the Foundation’s Excellence in Teaching Award. This will be the fifth year that the award will recognize teachers who bring innovation, enthusiasm, and 21st century skills to their classrooms.
BBF Rapid Grants Help Organizations Plan for Future and Meet Immediate Needs
Over twenty local organizations have benefitted from Ball Brothers Foundation Rapid Grants during the second half of the year. A number of these Rapid Grants have been specifically designated to support visioning, marketing, and branding efforts that will help nonprofits plan for the future and better tell their stories of impact in the community.
BBF Awards Grants for Visionary Projects
Ball Brothers Foundation awarded $3.7 million in grants to nearly a dozen organizations during its final grantmaking round of the year. The grants were approved at the foundation’s board meeting in October.
Ball Brothers Foundation Recognizes Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District with $10,000 Fisher Governance Award
Ball Brothers Foundation has selected Ron Orebaugh, board chairman of Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District (DCSWCD), as the 2016 winner of the John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award. The award was presented at the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s dinner on October 27.
BBF Supports Red Cross Disaster Relief
Following significant tornado and storm damage in the Kokomo, Indiana area, Ball Brothers Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to the Indiana Region of the American Red Cross. The emergency grant will support the organization’s work to provide disaster relief.
BBF Awards Rapid Grants to 20 Organizations
A new youth beekeeping project, clean-up of a brownfield site, and a literature in nature project are all receiving funding boosts through Ball Brothers Foundation’s Rapid Grant program. Since February, Ball Brothers Foundation has awarded nearly $80,000 in Rapid Grants to 20 organizations.
Muncie Central, Burris Laboratory School Receive Grants to Support Students, Faculty
High school students and faculty at Muncie Central and Burris Laboratory School will benefit from a grant to each institution. The funding is directed at new classroom equipment, expanded course selections, extracurricular activities, and minor facility upgrades through the support of Ball Brothers Foundation grants awarded during the Foundation’s first grantmaking cycle of 2015.
Ball Brothers Foundation Funding Provides Boost for Local Trails
Local trails recently received a funding boost through grants from Ball Brothers Foundation. A grant of $225,000 will support the construction of the second phase of a multi-use trail on the southeast side of Prairie Creek Reservoir.
Grants Strengthen Emens Auditorium, Muncie Central, Burris
Ball Brothers Foundation awarded 40 grants totaling over $4 million during its first grantmaking cycle of the year. The grants were approved at the Foundation’s May board meeting.
$2.2 Million in new grants reflect BBF’s historic interests
Ball Brothers Foundation (BBF), marking its 90th anniversary in November, has awarded more than $2.2 million in grants to 21 organizations primarily located in Muncie, Delaware County, and East Central Indiana. With a nod to history, the grants support programs and projects that reflect the interests and priorities of BBF’s founders.
Muncie Community Schools teacher selected for 2016 ‘Excellence in Teaching Award’
In conjunction with National Teacher Appreciation Week, Ball Brothers Foundation (BBF) is pleased to announce that Steve Spradlin, a science and math teacher at Muncie Community Schools’ Northside Middle School was selected as BBF’s 2016 Excellence in Teaching Award winner. The honor includes a $15,000 grant.
Grant to Purdue Polytechnic Anderson Supports Next Generation of Entrepreneurs and “Makers”
As Purdue Polytechnic Anderson prepares to open its new facility later this year, Muncie-based Ball Brothers Foundation has announced a $50,000 grant to support a “Beginning Makerspace” within the facility. This Beginning Makerspace will provide a hands-on laboratory where students and community members can make, innovate, and create.
Foundations Bring Grantees Together to Share Lessons Learned, Visit Prairie Creek
Two Muncie-based family foundations are hosting a summit this week that will bring together grantees focused on the environment, outdoor education, and outdoor recreation. Ball Brothers Foundation is the lead host of the summit which will introduce Muncie area grantees to like-minded organizations from the Leelanau area of northern Michigan which are supported by the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation.
Ball Brothers Foundation Remembers Former Board Member
BBF honors the life of John Pruis, former Ball State University President, who passed away this weekend. We were honored that Dr. Pruis served on BBF’s board of directors from 1977-2011, providing 34 years of outstanding service and leadership.
BBF to Recognize Local Teachers, Announces Judging Panel
Ball Brothers Foundation will be honoring local teachers in 2016 through the Foundation’s Excellence in Teaching Award. As in previous years, the top honor includes a $15,000 grant to promote innovation in the winning teacher’s district, school, and classroom.
2015 Year in Review & Looking Ahead to 2016
With the start of the new year, BBF is looking back to highlights from 2015. During the 2015 year, grants to organizations in Muncie, Delaware County, and Indiana totaled over $6.8 million.
Grant Awards Support Local Efforts to Address Meth Issues
Ball Brothers Foundation has issued grants totaling $10,000 to protect the health and safety of local law enforcement officers who come into contact with hazardous drug manufacturing materials. As meth lab seizures are at an all-time high in Delaware County, BBF funding will provide officers from the Muncie Police Department and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department with personal protective equipment.
Three Muncie Grantmakers Recognized for 25 Year Commitment to Promoting Philanthropy in Indiana
Ball Brothers Foundation, The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, and the Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler Foundation, Inc. were all recognized last week as grantmaking organizations that were founding members of the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance (IPA). IPA, the state’s membership association of grantmakers, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.