July 2024: Cybercrime insights from Jud Fisher, Communications survey, and more
There's no question that technology has become deeply integrated into our everyday lives. As we've seen with the recent CrowdStrike outage and major data breaches, the security of our information and systems has never been more critical.
In his latest op-ed, Jud Fisher delves into the growing cybercrime threats facing Indiana communities and highlights the proactive steps East Central Indiana is making to address these tough issues.
Top 3 Takeaways from the Building the Cybersecurity Workforce Talent Pipeline Summit
On July 24, nearly 100 leaders from higher education, the military, law enforcement, and the private sector convened in Muncie to explore the cybersecurity workforce talent pipeline. Hosted by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education with support from Ball Brothers Foundation, the convening drew participants from around the state interested in cybersecurity and cybercrime.
Op/Ed: Cybercrime is a growing threat Indiana communities need to address
The threats we face in the digital world are evolving at a frightening pace. From phishing schemes and ransomware attacks to identity theft and deepfake impersonations, the list of cyber threats keeps expanding. As technology advances—and the internet becomes ever more integrated into our daily lives—the security of our information and systems has never been more critical.
Grantee Spotlight: Empowering Young Men and Strengthening Community Bonds in Muncie
Growing up on the streets of Muncie and struggling with alcohol abuse, Melvin Kelly, founder of Brothers to Brothers United (B2B), navigated many challenges. Now, he hopes his life story and vision for B2B can inspire change in the lives of young males in our community.
June 2024: $4 Million Awarded in Round 1 Grants, 2024 Ball Venture Fund recipients, and deadline reminders
$4M+ in New Grants Announced
Capital Projects in Downtown and Beyond Share in Funding
This spring, BBF's board approved over $4 million in grants, including support for capital projects underway by numerous organizations, several of which have long ties to the Ball family.
Capital Projects in Downtown Muncie and Beyond Share in $4M Awarded by Ball Brothers Foundation
Ball Brothers Foundation, one of Indiana’s oldest and largest family foundations, awarded 33 grants totaling over $4 million in its first funding round of the year. Among the grants are funding for several organizations with long historical ties to the Ball family that are undertaking transformative capital projects: Ball State University, Camp Crosley (YMCA of Muncie), and the YWCA Central Indiana.
ICI Announces 2024 Recipients of Ball Brothers Foundation Venture Fund Grants
$100,000 in grants were awarded to five independent colleges in Indiana supporting innovative, start-up projects
Five Indiana independent colleges are the winners of the 2024 Ball Venture Fund competitive grant program: Franklin College, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Saint Mary’s College, Trine University and University of Evansville.
May 2024: Excellence in Teaching Award Winner, Q&A with Nonprofit Support Network, and more
We are pleased to announce that Chris Horner, a fire-science teacher at the Muncie Area Career Center, is the recipient of Ball Brothers Foundation's 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award.
Fire & EMT Teacher from Muncie Area Career Center Receives Ball Brothers Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award
Ambulance lights are flashing, radio traffic is on the scanner, and victims with minor and critical injuries are lying on the floor–it’s just another Monday morning for students in Chris Horner’s EMT and Fire/Rescue classes at the Muncie Area Career Center.
Grantee Spotlight: Q&A with the Nonprofit Support Network
Established in 2022, the Nonprofit Support Network (NSN) is a capacity-building organization dedicated to supporting nonprofits in Muncie-Delaware County. The organization provides workshops, peer networking opportunities, an on-line portal of resources, tailored support for nonprofits, and more.
Ball Brothers Foundation Welcomes New Program Officer Dan Wolfert
Ball Brothers Foundation is pleased to announce that Dan Wolfert will join the Foundation’s team as a new Program Officer. His role with the foundation begins June 3.
April 2024: On the Road, 10 Tips, Q&A with IU School of Medicine-Muncie, and more
This month, we've been on the road here in our hometown (and beyond) to see what's "springing up."
Fundraising Campaign Preparation: 10 Tips from a Funder
Thinking of launching a fundraising campaign? Ready to approach funders? Each year, BBF staff meet with organizations with bold dreams for the future. Whether your organization is planning to construct a new facility, build on to an existing facility, undertake renovations, or significantly expand programming, significant fundraising campaigns require careful planning and preparation.
Grantee Spotlight: Q&A on Medical Education in East Central Indiana
For the past eight years, local healthcare providers and colleges/universities have been working together to build East Central Indiana’s reputation as a statewide leader in medical education. The region’s medical school, largest hospitals, rural clinics, urban neighborhood centers, nursing schools, and others are reimagining healthcare training in ways that have the potential to change the future of healthcare delivery.
Grantee Spotlight: Q&A with the AMA on Flight Kits Set to Enhance STEAM Education in Muncie
Located on the southeast side of Muncie, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) stands on over 1,000 acres of land and is home to the largest model aviation field in the world. Having moved to Muncie in the 1990s, the AMA’s international headquarters and museum are now home to dozens of events each year from model aviation flying days that draw hobbyists from across the country to rocket launches, kite festivals, drone competitions, remote control helicopter events, and more.
March 2024: Grantee Spotlight: ecoREHAB, Day in the Life, and more
For many years, BBF has supported disaster response efforts across the state following major tornadoes and other natural disasters. Through our Emergency Management grantmaking initiative, the foundation has also worked to provide specialized training and equipment to local agencies to prepare for large scale disasters.
On March 14, the response needs hit close to home with a tornado impacting both Delaware and Randolph counties.
Jud Fisher guest on “765 Business Journal Radio Show;” highlights foundation’s giving to bolster local K-12 public schools
President and CEO of Ball Brothers Foundation, Jud Fisher, reflects on the foundation’s past decade of support for K-12 public schools in the heart of Muncie. With $5M+ in total funding awarded to Muncie Community Schools and Burris Laboratory School since 2014, Fisher explains the foundation’s support for the “margins of excellence.” Fisher also describes the foundation’s history of engagement with MCS during the district’s ups-and-downs.
Grantee Spotlight: ecoREHAB
Transforming Communities Through Sustainable Development and Construction Trades Training
In the heart of Muncie, there's an organization powerfully reshaping the landscape—and the workforce—one house at a time and one life at a time. ecoREHAB, a nonprofit headquartered in Muncie’s Old West End, is on a mission to help revitalize the community's neighborhoods through sustainable design, rehabilitation, and education.
Military, Law Enforcement, Higher Ed Officials Convene in Muncie to Discuss Cybersecurity and Cyberdefense Workforce Pipeline
Last month, officials from the miliary, law enforcement, and local universities gathered in Muncie to discuss cybercrime, cybersecurity, and the future of workforce training for growing cyber needs.
February 2024: Announcing new board members, Grantee Spotlight: support for Muncie's Central City schools, grant deadlines, and more
As the foundation prepares to commemorate its 100th year of grantmaking in 2026, we are excited to announce the appointment of two community members, Laura Hill and Dennis Trammell, Jr., to our Board of Directors.