By: Kallie Sulanke—
Muncie, IN—The Community Foundation is pleased to announce that $3,097,947 was granted to enhance the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County in 2019. Most grants are awarded through permanently endowed funds that benefit our community today and always.
Through the Quarterly Competitive grants program, non-profit organizations were awarded $992,055 in highly competitive grants. Grants address the broad needs of Muncie and Delaware County in the areas of arts and culture, community betterment, economic development, education, and human services. The Community Foundation received more than $1.4 million in requests this year. A committee of 12 volunteers reviews each application and makes grant recommendations to the Board of Directors of the Foundation.
The Strategic Grants program of the Foundation funds programs and projects designed to make an impact in specific, strategic areas of our community. This year, $190,000 was granted through the Strategic Grants program. Grants included support of the Successful Schools Fund to benefit professional development for Muncie Community Schools teachers; operating support for Delaware County BY5 Early Childhood Initiative; participation in Funders Forum, a collaborative funding effort by local funders; and several other strategic programs and initiatives of the Foundation.
The Community Foundation additionally manages 32 donor advised funds. These include individual and family funds, as well as committee-driven advised funds, such as the Harry and Janet Kitselman Fund and Maxon Foundation Fund. Donor-advisors recommended $456,980 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 funds benefit. These permanently endowed designated funds provide lasting support for the organizations they benefit. Grants from designated funds totaled $1,254,149 in 2019.
Lastly, scholarships totaling $204,763 were awarded to graduating seniors from local high schools and to current college students to support post-secondary education.
The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. encourages philanthropy by managing a permanent community endowment built by donations from individuals, businesses, and corporations. Using earnings on the endowment, The Foundation distributes grants to non-profit organizations, including scholarships to support post-secondary education. Since 1985, the Foundation has awarded more than $53 million to enhance the quality of life of the residents of Muncie and Delaware County.
