Non-Profit

Stronger Together: ECIRP Submits READI 2.0 Application for Regional Transformation

By Caitlyn Hancock, East Central Indiana Regional Partnership— MUNCIE, IN – The East Central Indiana Regional Partnership (ECIRP) has completed the application process for READI 2.0, marking a significant milestone in the region’s economic development journey. Following the success of READI 1.0, which set the groundwork for regional development planning, READI 2.0 now takes a bold step forward by focusing on strategic collaboration and data-driven initiatives to boost economic growth and improve quality of life in East Central Indiana. During…

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Registration for the 2024 Emergence Program is Now Open

By Arrick Garringer— MUNCIE, IN— Shafer Leadership Academy (SLA), a local non-profit organization dedicated to fostering inclusive leadership development for individuals, organizations, and communities, announces the launch of the 22nd iteration of its renowned leadership program. The program is scheduled to run from April 2 to May 21, 2024. Emergence: Personal Foundations of Effective Leadership stands as SLA’s cornerstone leadership initiative. Spanning eight weeks, this immersive and dynamic training experience is tailored for both emerging and seasoned leaders eager to…


Soup Kitchen of Muncie Announces 40 Days of Giving Food Drive, Feb 14-March 30

By Nick Werner and Dottie Kreps— MUNCIE, IN—The Soup Kitchen of Muncie is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2024.  For thirty years the Soup Kitchen has been a place where our neighbors in need can come and receive a hot meal and a sack lunch.  The Soup Kitchen wants to invite you to get involved by participating in their Third Annual ’40 Days of Giving’ Food Drive.  The 40 Days of Giving event is based around Lent to offer everyone…


Muncie Author’s Memoir Selected as One of the Best Audiobooks of 2023 by Library Journal

By The Facing Project— NEW YORK, NY—Library Journal, the network industry leader for libraries worldwide, has released its “best of” list for audiobooks published in 2023, and Muncie author J.R. Jamison’s memoir Hillbilly Queer was among the titles. Out of nearly 100,000 audiobooks published last year, Library Journal only selected 10 works of fiction and 10 works of nonfiction to receive this distinction. Others on the list include actor Steve Martin’s memoir So Many Steves: Afternoons with Steve Martin and…


Community Foundation Now Accepting Nominations for the David Sursa Leadership Award

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—The Community Foundation is pleased to announce that nominations are being accepted for the annual David Sursa Leadership Award. The award rewards, recognizes, and encourages extraordinary leadership by a nonprofit board member in Delaware County. Standing behind the belief that every community benefits from leaders who understand local issues and visualize and promote positivity, The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County established the David Sursa Leadership Award in honor of the organization’s founding president. David…


Free February Programs at Muncie Public Library

By Susan Fisher, PR Supervisor at MPL— MUNCIE, IN—While free programs are always on the calendar at Muncie Public Library (MPL) and offer a wide variety of learning and enrichment activities for all ages, this February at MPL offers an especially stellar lineup of programs that range from live jazz, free chili, the celebration of local African American women, and even an exploration of the “Hillbilly Highway.” —Enjoy a Night of Jazz on Thursday, February 15 from 5-7 p.m. at Maring-Hunt…


Muncie’s Ross Community Center Turns 50

By Molly Flodder— MUNCIE, IN—Collection of documents, photos, and personal stories is underway, and events are being planned at the Ross Community Center as board, staff, volunteers, users, and neighbors begin the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary. The Garland E. Ross Recreational Center, located at 1110 W. 10th Street in the Thomas Park/Avondale neighborhood, was founded in 1974 as one of three city-run recreational centers in Muncie. The center was used for youth baseball, basketball, family gatherings, and more. The…


2024 V!VA Award Nominations Are Now Open

By Dan Wolfert— MUNCIE, Ind. — The V!VA (Very Important Volunteer Award) Awards were developed as a gift to the community in 1993 by the Muncie Noon Rotary Club and are now held in conjunction with the Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club to recognize Delaware County’s proud volunteer heritage. Up to four individuals and one organization will be recognized with V!VA Awards for their volunteer efforts to the community within the past 12 months. In addition, The Edmund F. Ball Lifetime…


Nonprofit Organizations Invited to Submit Proposals for Mapt Solutions Transformation Challenge 

Competition winner will receive $100,000 of strategic support and funding to amplify their impact. By Jennifer Erbacher—  INDIANAPOLIS — Nonprofit organizations working in Indiana have an opportunity to reimagine their futures, seize new opportunities and create transformative change through the second-annual Mapt Solutions Transformation Challenge, which launched this week. The winner of the Mapt Transformation Challenge will receive a $75,000 grant for strategic planning services with Mapt Solutions and an additional $25,000 in cash to support the organization in acting…


Red-tail Land Conservancy Celebrates the Protection of a New Wetland Nature Preserve

Buck Creek Fen Preserve protects rare wetland; wildlife corridor in east central Indiana. By Kelley V. Phillips— MUNCIE, IN— Red-tail Land Conservancy, a conservation nonprofit headquartered in Muncie, is proud to announce the successful protection of a vital piece of a historic wetland with the acquisition of Buck Creek Fen Preserve, a 68-acre wetland habitat in the heart of the Big Blue River Valley north of Summit Lake. This announcement comes on World Wetlands Day, a day recognizing the contributions…