By Kallie Sulanke—
MUNCIE, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $3,720,056 in grants and scholarships to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Delaware County, Ind. Most grants are awarded through permanently endowed funds that benefit our community today and always.
Through the Quarterly Competitive Grants program, nonprofit organizations were awarded $1,040,282 in highly competitive grants. Grants address the broad needs of Muncie and Delaware County in arts and culture, community betterment, economic development, education, and human services. The Community Foundation received more than $1.5 million in requests this year. A committee of 11 volunteers reviews each application and makes grant recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
The Strategic Grants program of the Foundation funds programs and projects designed to impact specific, strategic areas of our community. This year, $237,150 was granted through the Strategic Grants program. Grants included operating support for Nonprofit Support Network, Delaware County BY5 Early Childhood Initiative, and Delaware Advancement Corporation; CORE Leadership Police Training; participation in Funders Forum, a collaborative funding effort by local funders; and several other strategic programs and initiatives of the Foundation.
Additional grant programs support specific areas of community interest. Through the Robert P. Bell Teacher Grants program, local teachers and educators received $9,665 in classroom grants. The Maxon Foundation Fund supported at-risk families and children with $60,351. The Harry and Janet Kitselman Fund granted $81,754 to programs focused on fine art, recreation, children, and the history of East Central Indiana. The Gaston Town Endowment Fund, Liberty Perry Selma Town Endowment Fund, and Town of Yorktown Endowment Fund awarded $3,900, $1,790, and $7,000, respectively, to support programs and projects benefiting those communities. Additional grant dollars supported key programs and initiatives of the Foundation.
The Community Foundation manages 32 donor advised funds. Donor advisors recommended $315,389 in grants this year.
Also, the Foundation manages funds designated to the mission of specific organizations or causes established by donors or by the organizations the fund benefits. These permanently endowed designated funds provide ongoing support for the benefiting organizations . Grants from designated funds totaled $1,617,695 in 2022.
Scholarships totaling $289,620 were awarded to graduating seniors from local high schools and current college students to support post-secondary education.
Nonprofit Support Network also received a grant of $55,000 to support the Relationship and Resource Director.
About the Community Foundation
The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. encourages philanthropy, assists donors in building an enduring source of charitable assets, and exercises leadership in directing resources to enhance the quality of life for residents of Muncie and Delaware County. Since 1985, community members and businesses have helped the Foundation grow our endowment to $88 million. Using the earnings on the endowment, the Foundation distributes grants to nonprofit organizations, including scholarships to support students through post-secondary education. To date, the Foundation has awarded nearly $65 million to enhance the quality of life of the residents of Muncie and Delaware County.
