Non-Profit

George and Frances Ball Foundation Grants $200K in COVID-19 Emergency Support

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN – The George and Frances Ball Foundation has awarded $200,000 to area non-profits for COVID-19 related causes, and notes funding may be available to non-profits for technical support in the preparation of applications for federal CARES Act dollars. “It’s in times like these it becomes clear this is a very special community with everyone pulling together,” said foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Kinghorn. Organizations that need funding to help pay associated expenses of filing for…

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Fifth Annual IDEA Conference Focused on Community Building

By: Heather Williams, Muncie Action Plan Task Force 2 Leader— Muncie, IN—On March 7th, over 150 community members, political leaders, and facilitators gathered for the 5th Annual IDEA Conference. Hosted at the Ivy Tech Fisher Building, Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement and Building Better Neighborhoods, Muncie Action Plan and Shafer Leadership Academy brought speakers in to discuss topics relevant to our city’s neighborhoods, including MCS: The Future is Bright, Making Democracy Work, and a demonstration of Web of Support: How Everybody…


Photos: Second Harvest Food Bank Tailgate at Scheumann Stadium Parking Lot

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—An extra free food tailgate by Second Harvest Food Bank was held in the parking lot outside Ball State’s Scheumann Stadium on April 8th from 10 am to 12 pm. Food items were handed out by members of the Indiana National Guard to 607 cars filled with appreciative families. “John” and his cousin from Muncie were first in line to obtain food, after arriving at the parking lot at 3am in the morning—a seven hour wait….


Community Foundation Grants Additional $14,000 in COVID-19 Funding

By: Kallie Sulanke—  Muncie, IN—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded an additional $14,000 to 11 non-profit organizations to support response efforts to the COVID-19 crisis.   Community Foundation staff continue to connect with and listen to the plans, challenges, and needs of a variety of vital community organizations across Delaware County. Decisions for this second round of response funding were made to come along side these vital community organizations with identified immediate needs related to the Coronavirus Pandemic. This round of support follows an initial $20,000 of community support to 12 organizations.    Emergency Response Grants in the amounts of $1,000 or $2,000…


Muncie Public Library Closed Yet Still Providing Service During COVID-19 Pandemic

By: Susan Fisher— Muncie, IN—All Muncie Public Library branches are closed and all events, programs, and meeting room events are cancelled until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers are urged to use the online resources available at the MPL website. Online resources include hoopla and overdrive, two services that provide ebooks, movies, and music. These services require a library card but people can “try out” hoopla without a library card and download up to 3 items. Other databases…


Jason Newman: Moving Through The COVID-19 Crisis

By: Jason Newman, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie— Muncie, IN—Our community has always helped and supported each other in times of need. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie is finding this time is no different. Our Clubs, our members, our staff, and our community have committed to doing whatever it takes to support and help our families through this unprecedented time. Mr. Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in…


Muncie Pride Schedules First Event and Offers Scholarship Opportunity

By: Dee McKinsey— Muncie, IN—Muncie Pride, celebrating the LGBTQ community, has scheduled an event from 1-8 p.m., Sept. 19 at Canan Commons. It will feature a stage show with bands and performers, in addition to educational opportunities, merchandise vendors, food trucks and a beer garden. As part of this event, a $1000 and $500 scholarship will be awarded based on a 2,000 word, or less, essay about the origins of the gay pride flag.  Applicants must be currently enrolled in…


Ball Brothers Foundation Expedites Funding for COVID-19 Front-Line Responders

By: Ball Brothers Foundation— Muncie, IN—Over the course of the past two weeks, Ball Brothers Foundation has awarded more than $100,000 to organizations on the front lines of fighting COVID-19 in Muncie and Delaware County. Funding is focused on meeting the needs of healthcare providers and emergency responders, including hospital employees, ambulance services, health clinics and law enforcement officers. “Right now, we know that preventing the spread of COVID-19 is absolutely critical to protecting the lives of residents. Our initial…


Jenni Marsh: We Can Rise to the Challenge, Supporting the Most Vulnerable Among Us

By: Jenni Marsh, President & CEO, United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties— Muncie, IN—These are tough times. But on days when you feel most helpless, you actually have the most power to help others. Like the people of east central Indiana have always done in times of crisis, we can rise to the challenge, supporting the most vulnerable among us. As events are cancelled, sales plummet, and businesses shutter, our communities’ struggling working families face sudden economic challenges. Workers are…


Muncie Theater Costumers Sew For Life-And-Death Drama Now

By: John Carlson— Muncie, IN—Masks such as the classic Muse of Tragedy and Muse of Comedy have had an integral association with theater for centuries. These days, however, theater costumers nationwide – including groups of dedicated ones here in Muncie – are at their sewing machines, busily making masks that have nothing to do with things happening on stage. Instead, they have everything to do with helping rein in the deadly coronavirus, COVID-19. When Laura Williamson, executive artistic director of…