Non-Profit

YMCA Announces Open Enrollment For Preschool At Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center

By Kristen McConnell, Vice President of Mission Advancement— MUNCIE, IN—Embark on a Journey of Discovery with Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center’s Innovative Preschool Programs. Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center is thrilled to announce the launch of our enriching preschool programs for ages 3, 4, and 5. Rooted in the esteemed Reggio Emilia philosophy, our curriculum blends traditional preschool structure with cutting-edge teaching methods to ignite a passion for learning in every child. Scholarships are available for families who…

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Collective Philanthropy and Community Generosity Make Muncie Stronger

By Marcy Minton— MUNCIE, IN—As a major funder supporting many local nonprofits in our community, The Community Foundation has a broad view of the work being done to make Muncie and Delaware County a great place to call home. In fact, Muncie has been ranked first in charitable giving and second in civic engagement according to Sagamore Institute’s Public Good Index (PGI). We are fortunate to have neighbors who are willing to give of their time and talent. Muncie is…


Early Care and Learning Providers Receive Funding From TRAC Program

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN—The Training, Resource, & Advocacy Connector (TRAC) has awarded more than $210,000 to early care and learning (ECL) providers in eight East Central Indiana counties. This is the first time TRAC has provided this opportunity for ECL providers to apply for funding as part of its Regional Activity Support efforts. “We were pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response to our Regional Activity Support (RAS) program, reflecting the vibrant engagement and dedication in our communities,” said Lucinda…


Rotary Brazilian Exchange Student Enjoys Year in Muncie

By R. Brian Wolfe, Muncie Sunrise Rotary— MUNCIE, IN—For the last several decades, two local Rotary clubs – the Muncie Rotary Club and Muncie Sunrise Rotary – have partnered in facilitating high school students coming to Muncie from outside the US and Muncie area students studying abroad.  Over the last five years, high school students from Belgium, India, Taiwan, and now Brazil have lived with Muncie families while attending Burris High School. Since August 2023, Brazilian high school student Maria…


Donations to AAUW Book Sale Can be Made Starting May 20

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Donations of new and gently used books, puzzles, DVDs and CDs (music and books) will be accepted for the American Association of University Women – Muncie Branch Used Book Sale starting at 8 a.m. Monday, May 20, at Ball State University Alumni Center, 2800 W. Bethel Ave. Carts will be available to unload books at the front door of the Ball State Alumni Center, and donors may temporarily park at the entrance of the center. Note…


George and Frances Ball Foundation Announces Election of Two New Directors

By Kelsey Harrington— MUNCIE, IN—Two community leaders, Mark Hardwick of First Merchants Corporation and James Williams of DeFur Voran, were recently elected to the George and Frances Ball Foundation’s Board of Directors. The GFBF Board oversees the Foundation’s annual grantmaking, as well as provides guidance and leadership for its Cradle to Career Muncie initiative. Hardwick and Williams were added to the Board with this in mind, bringing with them a breadth of knowledge and experience in specific, local industry needs,…


Teachers Benefit from $9K in Grants for Creative and Innovative Classroom Projects

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – It’s Teacher Appreciation Week. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County is proud to support teachers throughout Delaware County. The Robert P. Bell Education Grants Program at The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County provides teachers with grants to support projects that stimulate student learning. During the 2023-24 school year, 22 local teachers were awarded Robert P. Bell Education Grants totaling $9,226.20. Teachers often have instructional ideas they would like to implement…


Empowering Land Banks: How They Can Help Cities Tackle Blight and Save Taxpayers Money

By Ro Selvey— MUNCIE, IN—Land banks are nonprofit organizations that play a vital role in revitalizing communities by helping to transform vacant and abandoned properties into vibrant assets. While in many cases land banks operate independently, cities can significantly enhance their impact by providing financial support. In 2017, the city of Muncie took a proactive step by establishing an ordinance supporting the creation of a land bank, thanks to the support of the Muncie City Council. This move demonstrates the…


May is National Historic Preservation Month, Help Preserve Cornerstone Center for the Arts

By Cornerstone board of directors— MUNCIE, IN—2024 is off to a great start for Cornerstone Center for the Arts. We began the year by announcing that CCA successfully raised $22,000 at the end of last year, during our December fundraiser. We also secured during the first quarter $50,000 in grant funding alone. The community’s generous support has put us on the right track. However, we know our work is not over. In honor of May being National Historic Preservation Month,…


Ball Brothers Foundation Welcomes New Program Officer Dan Wolfert

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN— Ball Brothers Foundation is pleased to announce that Dan Wolfert will join the Foundation’s team as a new Program Officer. His role with the foundation begins June 3. “We are excited to welcome Dan to the Ball Brothers Foundation team,” said Jud Fisher, the foundation’s president and chief executive officer. “Dan’s hiring concluded a national search of highly qualified candidates. We were impressed by his understanding of the area in which we operate, his local…