Non-Profit

By Kelsey Harrington, Program Officer— MUNCIE, IN—On May 11th, George and Frances Ball Foundation’s Board of Directors met to review quarterly competitive grant requests. More than $600,000 was awarded to 11 area nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. The Foundation’s proactive grantmaking strategy is focused on educational attainment from cradle to career. The collective impact initiative that helps to carry out this work, Cradle to Career Muncie, is focused not only on academic markers such as kindergarten readiness and third grade…

By Kallie Sulanke, Member Exchange Club of Muncie—  MUNCIE, IN—The Exchange Club of Muncie honored 29 Muncie tenth-graders from Muncie Central High School and Burris Laboratory School during the Club’s annual Sophomore Honors Day luncheon on Thursday, May 4. As one way to support youth in our community, Exchange Club has hosted this event for more than 85 years. The purpose is to recognize students early in their high school careers and encourage and inspire them to continue to work…

 By Carly Acree King Relationship & Resource Director— MUNCIE, IN – Nonprofit Support Network is celebrating nonprofit workers and volunteers and the kick-off to summer with the Nonprofit Summer Social. The event will take place on Thursday, June 1, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm on the patio of The Fickle Peach, located at 117 E. Charles Street in downtown Muncie. This new event is designed to bring together individuals currently working or volunteering at nonprofit organizations located in or serving Muncie-Delaware…

By Kim Williams—  DELAWARE COUNTY, IN – Heart of Indiana United Way (HIUW) in partnership with local Community Foundations serving Delaware, Henry, Madison, South Madison and Randolph counties announces the creation and launch of a new Equity Advancement Fund. The new mini-grants program is designed to help strengthen and advance equity locally. “In looking at the organizations we have historically funded, we found a lack of grant applications from programs led by or serving the underrepresented and under-resourced in our…

By Kim Williams— Delaware County, IN – Heart of Indiana United Way announces the winners of its 2023 Celebration Awards. The organization’s annual awards event highlights and thanks businesses and individuals who helped make a big impact over the past year through donations, volunteerism, advocacy, and partnerships. This year’s 11 award winners were announced through a short video released on May 4 and can be viewed on the Heart of Indiana United Way’s Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages. “We wanted…

A perspective piece by Jud Fisher—  MUNCIE, IN—Change doesn’t happen overnight. Change takes time and determination from an entire community. This belief is alive and well in Muncie. The positive changes we’ve witnessed over the past century are due to the collective effort of countless dedicated people who were passionate about improving the place they called home. Through world wars, pandemics, economic depression, and the ups-and-downs common to many manufacturing-oriented Midwest cities, Muncie has never given up hope for a…

By Jenna Bertsch— MUNCIE, IN—Every other month, southside business and nonprofit leaders gather at Rosebud Coffee House to discuss the community, learn about resources, and connect about operating in Muncie. The 8twelve Coalition started these 7 a.m. gatherings — fueled by coffee and hearty breakfast options — to connect businesses with each other and the city they serve. 8twelve Director Jena Ashby said, “knowing people and being known” is essential to building community. These meetings, she added, create synergy among…

By Stacey Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—Spending any amount of time with the staff and volunteers at ARF Muncie makes one thing clear: these folks truly care about animals. Executive director, Doug White, has five of his own dogs at home and knows those housed at the local non-profit by name. General manager, Nikki Kirby, is the same. Plus, she has a total of nine pets: six dogs and three cats. This year, ARF is celebrating its 25th year as being a…