Fellows Program Alumni Reconnect and Dream Big
Last week, Ball Brothers Foundation hosted a lunch for alumni of the foundation’s Fellows Program. The Fellows program began in 2005 with the intention of providing local nonprofit leaders with a 9-month opportunity to read books and articles about nonprofit leadership and governance, to engage with BBF staff in dialogue about nonprofit work and foundation operations, and to promote foundation transparency. Two local nonprofit leaders are selected each year to participate in the program.
August 2023: Survey Reminder, Back to School, Mini-Documentaries, Muncie Land Bank, and more
Throughout this year, Ball Brothers Foundation has been working to ramp up communications with our stakeholders: grantees, community and regional leaders, extended Ball family members, and others.
A key part of our new strategic plan calls for us to serve as a vocal advocate for Muncie and East Central Indiana. This month's e-newsletter highlights several grants that make our community shine
White River and Ag Mini-Documentaries to Premiere at Minnetrista
Two new mini-documentaries featuring stunning footage of the White River and surrounding agricultural lands in the watershed will premiere on Thursday, August 17 at Minnetrista. Presented in conjunction with Indiana Humanities and The Nature Conservancy, the evening will feature six short films about Indiana’s waterways. The films tell stories from across the state of Hoosiers and their diverse relationships with water.
High School Broadcasting Students Travel State
In late May, Indiana’s Secretary of Education, Dr. Katie Jenner, joined Ball Brothers Foundation staff on a day-long visit to schools across Delaware County. While visiting Burris Laboratory School, Dr. Jenner met students in Mr. Rob Jones’ emerging media class. They shared their love for creating “hype videos,” and Dr. Jenner challenged the students to produce a back to school video that could be shared with students and educators from across the state.
Op/Ed: Great Nonprofits Have Great Boards
As a foundation that supports many local nonprofit organizations, Ball Brothers Foundation has had a front row seat to see how excellent boards have transformed local organizations over the years. We strongly believe in the importance of outstanding board governance and leadership, as good boards have a profound effect on an organization's ability to serve its constituents and adapt to meet changing community needs.
July 2023: Survey, White River Report Card, Canoe Race, and more
As we strive to continuously improve our communication and outreach efforts, we'd love for you to take a 2 minute survey. Your anonymous feedback is instrumental in helping us understand your preferences and content interests to ensure that our newsletters are valuable and engaging.
Grantee Spotlight: Q&A with Muncie Land Bank Executive Director
In 2018, Ball State University Professor John West, who had been working with the City of Muncie to start a land bank under new State legislation, approached Ball Brothers Foundation for assistance in making the new institution as effective as possible. The challenge was to make it happen in Muncie.
Op/Ed: White River Report Card Results Indicate We Can Do Better
Last month, Ball Brothers Foundation celebrated the release of the new White River Report Card. Like a traditional school report card, the assessment tool “grades” various factors related to the health of the river and its watershed. In this op-ed, BBF’s Jud Fisher joins others from around the state who helped contribute to the report card’s development in commenting on the results and next steps.
Grantee Spotlight: White River Canoe Race, Downstream Connections
Over the past several years, Ball Brothers Foundation has dedicated funding to promoting and telling the story of local waterways through the foundation’s Project Blueways initiative.
Following are a few highlights of this work:
Deadline approaching for 2023 Fisher Governance Award nominations
The deadline for nominations for the John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award is quickly approaching. Delaware County non-profit organizations have until 4pm on Aug. 15 to nominate a board member for the award, which includes a $10,000 grant to the recipient’s organization.
Jud Fisher’s Remarks at 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award Reception
Ball Brothers Foundation hosted a reception on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 to honor recipients of the foundation’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana’s Secretary of Education, was keynote speaker for the event. The following are Jud Fisher, President & CEO’s prepared remarks.
June 2023: Behind the Scenes, Jud Fisher's Radio Interview, Ball Venture Fund Recipients, and more
Catch Our Team Behind the Scenes...
As summer gets into full swing, our calendars are packed with grantee meetings, site visits, and more.
Jud Fisher guest on “Delaware County Today;” discusses grants, cybercrime, downtown and more
President & CEO of Ball Brothers Foundation, Jud Fisher, was a guest on WMUN’s “Delaware County Today Radio Show” this week.
Funding for Transformational Projects in Downtown Muncie Share in $3 Million Awarded by Ball Brothers Foundation
Ball Brothers Foundation approved 28 grants totaling $3 million in its first round of grants for 2023. The grants reflect the foundation’s long-standing commitment to place-based grantmaking. Two of the largest grants approved in this round were to boost facility capital projects in downtown Muncie—YMCA of Muncie and Muncie Civic Theatre.
Grantee Spotlight: Grants Awarded to Indiana Colleges for Innovative, Start-Up Projects
Five Indiana independent colleges are the winners of the 2023 Ball Venture Fund competitive grant program: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, University of Evansville, Valparaiso University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and University of Notre Dame.
May 2023: Dr. Katie Jenner Visits Local Schools, Commends Outstanding Area Educators
On May 23, Ball Brothers Foundation hosted a reception to honor local teachers recognized with the foundation's Excellence in Teaching Award. The reception celebrated 2023 award winner, Kira Zick, finalists, Rob Jones and Heather Rogers, as well as past award nominees. Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner was the guest speaker for the evening.
Indiana Sec. of Education Dr. Katie Jenner visits local schools in Delaware County, addresses Excellence in Teaching Award recipients
On May 23, Ball Brothers Foundation hosted a reception honoring the foundation’s 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award winner and finalists. Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner was a guest speaker for the evening.
In addition to attending the reception, Dr. Jenner spent the day with Ball Brothers Foundation staff, visiting several local schools
Grantee Spotlight: Baseball Field Build-Out & Neighborhood Revitalization Sparked by Ball Brothers Foundation Grants Continues a Decade Later
In the 1970s, the Garland E. Ross Recreational Center was a popular, bustling gathering place on the southside of Muncie. The city-run center was located in a proud working-class neighborhood where many residents were employed at the nearby Chevrolet plant and other local factories.
West View Elementary’s Kira Zick receives Ball Brothers Foundation’s Excellence in Teaching Award
Every child can learn. That is one of Kira Zick’s most strongly held beliefs. She knows there’s a way to reach every student, and in her third and fourth grade Spanish/English dual language classroom, she challenges herself to figure out how. She believes a positive environment is the best foundation for learning.
April 2023: A Perspective Piece on BBF's Commitment, Q&A with Minnetrista’s new President & CEO and more.
Change doesn't happen overnight.
At Ball Brothers Foundation, we are laser-focused on localized grantmaking. Our recently updated strategic plan reaffirms our long-standing commitment to Muncie, Delaware County, and East Central Indiana—the place where the Ball brothers lived, worked, and raised their families when they moved to Muncie over a century ago.