By Eliza Guion—
MUNCIE, IN— Ball Brothers Foundation presented its annual Fisher Governance Award to Ryan Hunter, board president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie. Hunter was recognized with the award at the Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner on October 26.
The John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award annually honors a nonprofit board member in Delaware County whose strategic planning and oversight skills have contributed to the achievement of the organization’s mission, financial stability, and general effectiveness.
“At the start of each board meeting, Ryan kicks us off with a discussion question: What is going on in Muncie that concerns you?” Jason Newman, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie wrote in Hunter’s nomination. “By centering our meeting on our direct impact, even the drier areas of our agenda are focused through the prism of our mission.”
As board president, Hunter makes it a priority to talk to each board member about their passions to figure out how to use them to make a greater impact on the organization. “I just want to hear from everyone,” Hunter said when asked about communication within the board. According to Newman, it is this approach that has improved 2023 board engagement, with every board member serving on a committee and making deeper connections to the Clubs.
When it comes to his own passions, Hunter described his reasons for initially joining the board. “I think every student should have the opportunity to experience coding and robotics,” he said. As the founder of TechWise Academy, in addition to his responsibilities as president of the Clubs, Hunter engages with his team to provide STEM programs to the kids at the Clubs, free of charge.
When asked about his accomplishments, Hunter was most proud of the collaborative efforts that led to opening a new location. “None of us had done that before,” he shared. “It was a testament to our desire to grow and to reach as many families as we can. It’s a credit to the staff—they really did all the work.”
As board president, and a member of the Executive, Finance, Board Development, and Compensation Committees, Hunter has made a lasting impact on many areas that will continue to serve the organization after he is no longer president. “For the first time in my time in Muncie, every Board member who has age-appropriate children sends them to the Clubs,” Newman reflected. “Ryan acts as key spokesperson for the Clubs wherever he goes.”
As part of Hunter’s recognition as an exceptional leader, Ball Brothers Foundation granted $10,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie for operations or further board development. Hunter also received a specially designed award hand-crafted by Brent Cole, associate professor of art at Ball State University’s Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass.
Previous recipients of the John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award include:
- Marta Moody, Cardinal Greenways (2022)
- Heather Williams, ecoREHAB (2021)
- Ron Fauquher, Innovation Connector (2020)
- James Rosema, Muncie Mission Ministries (2019)
- Leigh Edwards, Muncie Civic Theatre (2018)
- John Craddock, Community Enhancement Projects (2017)
- Ron Orebaugh, Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District (2016)
- Juli Metzger, Project Leadership and Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie (2015)
- Pat Botts, Greater Muncie, IN Habitat for Humanity (2014)
- Nancy Turner, Muncie Public Library (2013)
- Jeff Parsons, Youth Opportunity Center (2012)
- Teresa Willman, Cardinal Greenway, Inc. (2011)
About Ball Brothers Foundation
Ball Brothers Foundation is one of the state’s oldest and largest family foundations. In 2022, the foundation paid out $10 million in grants to support 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 the foundation’s home city, county, and state.
