Non-Profit

Registration Now Open for Shafer Leadership Academy’s Core Leadership Experience By Arrick Garringer— MUNCIE, IN—Shafer Leadership Academy (SLA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to inclusive leadership development, is now accepting registrations for Emergence: Personal Foundations of Effective Leadership, its core leadership development program, returning Spring 2026. Emergence will run April 9 through May 7, 2026, in a five-week, highly interactive format designed to accommodate working professionals while delivering meaningful, practical leadership development. Sessions will be held at the Innovation Connector in Muncie, Indiana. Emergence is Shafer Leadership Academy’s signature leadership experience, designed for both emerging and experienced leaders seeking to strengthen…

By Cornerstone Board of Directors— MUNCIE, IN — Cornerstone Center for the Arts will host Illuminate the Arts on March 19. The fundraising celebration honors 100 years of the historic Masonic Temple and more than 20 years of Cornerstone serving as a vital hub for arts, education, and community connection in downtown Muncie. The event comes during a year of continued growth for Cornerstone, marked by expanded class offerings, increased community events, and a renewed focus on making the arts accessible to all. The organization has continued to strengthen its position as a gathering place for creativity and connection vital…

By Kailey Armstrong— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Public Library (MPL) recently received a $10,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the foundation established by Andrew Carnegie. The award is part of Carnegie Libraries 250, a special initiative celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and honoring the roughly 1,280 Carnegie Libraries still serving their communities across the United States. Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries nationwide between 1886 and 1917. Approximately 750 of them continue to use their original buildings, while others have moved to new locations. Muncie’s…

By Tania Said— MUNCIE, IN — The Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts) is inviting community members to help shape the future of arts and culture in Muncie through a series of upcoming focus groups designed to gather ideas, insights, and perspectives from those who care about the city’s creative ecosystem. MuncieArts will host small, discussion-based focus groups to hear directly from artists, creatives, arts supporters, partners, and residents about what they value, what they see, and what they hope for in Muncie’s arts future. Feedback from these sessions will help inform the Council’s future priorities, partnerships, and strategies. “These…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—“Community Services Helping People Who Are Homeless ” will be the topic of a public meeting of the League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4800 W. Bradford Drive. Admission is free. A panel of local professionals who work daily with people who are homeless will talk about their work and organizations and will answer questions about the needs of people who are homeless in Delaware County. Confirmed speakers are Melissa Blackmer from ARK Muncie, Cooper Sprague from A Better Way / Muncie Mission HUB…

By Arrick Garringer—  MUNCIE, IN— Shafer Leadership Academy announced plans to expand its facilitation team in response to increasing demand for customized leadership development programs across East Central Indiana and surrounding regions. The nonprofit organization has seen growing interest from employers in manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services who are seeking leadership development that reflects the realities of their workforce and industry. As organizations navigate workforce transitions, talent retention challenges, and the need for inclusive leadership practices, Shafer Leadership Academy is investing in additional facilitation capacity to meet those needs. “Our partners are asking for leadership development that is relevant to…

By Jason Donati— MUNCIE, IN—As the Muncie Action Plan (MAP) looks back on a productive year, we are excited to reflect on our continued efforts to enhance the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County. We invite the community to join us for our Annual Report to the Community, taking place Wednesday, January 28, at 6:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Ivy Tech. During this gathering, each of MAP’s four task forces will present their accomplishments and progress from 2025 and their goals and aspirations for 2026. This article marks the fourth and final in a series of…

By Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $4,281,329.27 in grants and scholarships in 2025, strengthening its mission to enhance the quality of life for Delaware County residents. Most grants were awarded through permanently endowed funds, ensuring a greater Muncie and Delaware County today, tomorrow, and always.  Community Grants Program  Local nonprofit organizations received $1,692,986.00 through the competitive Community Grants Program. Community Grants are awarded to address the broad needs in arts and culture, community betterment, economic development, education, and human services. This year, the Foundation awarded the largest amount of Community Grants…

By Susan Fisher, MPL Public Relations— MUNCIE, IN—As regular library visitors know, most libraries are no longer hushed spaces where silence is revered. Instead, today’s libraries are vibrant spaces for customers of all ages where learning can take place out loud during story times, programs, and book clubs. While some quiet nooks still exist for reading and reflection, Muncie Public Library customers continue to seek out spaces within the libraries for studying, tutoring, or attendance in online meetings or consultations. With this in mind, MPL Library Director Alan Kornblau and Kennedy Library Manager Donna Catron approached the Patricia Schaefer Foundation…