Nominations Sought for Ball Brothers Foundation’s $10,000 Fisher Governance Award

Ball Associates Building Mural at 222 S. Mulberry Street. Photo by Mike RhodesBall Associates Building Mural at 222 S. Mulberry Street. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Muncie, IN—Ball Brothers Foundation is seeking nominations for its annual Fisher Governance Award. The award honors an outstanding board member of a Delaware County non-profit organization. The winner will be recognized later this fall at the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce dinner. Included in the honor is a $10,000 grant to the organization that the recognized board member represents.

“Our community is fortunate to have so many volunteers who give selflessly of their time and talents. This award was created to shine a spotlight on an individual whose leadership at the board of director’s level is exemplary,” commented Jud Fisher, President and COO of Ball Brothers Foundation. “Our hope is that by recognizing these individuals, others in the community will be inspired to commit to board service.”

Nominators should include practical examples of how the nominee has demonstrated exemplary leadership skills and characteristics of integrity, responsibility, and accountability throughout the nominee’s board service. BBF specifically seeks to recognize an individual whose planning and oversight skills have contributed to the organization’s mission, financial stability, and general effectiveness. Nominees must have served on the organization’s board for a minimum of two years. Foundations are not eligible to nominate their board members for the award.

Previous award winners included: Ron Orebaugh representing Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2016, Julie Metzger representing Project Leadership and the Boys and Girls Club of Muncie in 2015, Pat Botts representing Greater Muncie, IN Habitat for Humanity in 2014, Nancy Turner representing Muncie Public Library in 2013, Jeff Parsons representing Youth Opportunity Center in 2012, and Teresa Willman representing Cardinal Greenways, Inc. in 2011.

The Governance Award honors the memory of Delaware County philanthropists John W. and Janice B. Fisher. Mr. Fisher (1915-2009) exhibited strong and compassionate leadership, serving for a decade as president and chairman of Ball Brothers Foundation among his many community commitments. His wife, Janice (1916-2010), was daughter of the industrialist-philanthropist Edmund Burke Ball whose estate initially helped to establish the Ball Brothers Foundation in 1926.

Nominations are due by 4 pm on Tuesday, August 15. Submission details and a link to the on-line nomination form are available at ballfdn.org.

Ball Brothers Foundation is one of the state’s oldest and largest family foundations. In 2016, Ball Brothers Foundation celebrated its 90th anniversary, awarding $7.25 million in grants supporting arts and culture, education, the environment, health, human services and public affairs. The Muncie-based private foundation gives priority to projects and programs that improve the quality of life in BBF’s home city, county and state.