Non-Profit

By Kallie Sulanke—  MUNCIE, IN—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County recognizes the following finalists for the 2026 David Sursa Leadership Award: Jeffrey Heavilon, Exchange Club of Muncie; Kourtney McCauliff, Cornerstone Center for the Arts; Jeff Tingler, Grow Market; Douglas White, Jackie L. Michael Foundation; and Katherine White, Animal Rescue Fund. The David Sursa Leadership Award was established in memory of the Foundation’s first board leader. As the inaugural President, David Sursa blazed the trail for The Community Foundation. His visionary leadership contributed significantly to the Foundation’s success and the generous support it has provided to our community. The…

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN—Organizations of all types face a challenge that rarely shows up on a balance sheet: building strong leadership. They need people who can not only do the job, but also communicate clearly, navigate conflict, motivate others, and guide organizations through change. For almost two decades, Shafer Leadership Academy in Muncie has been working to help individuals grow into those skills while strengthening the organizations and communities they serve. Ball Brothers Foundation has been among the long-standing supporters of the organization’s growth and reach. Over the years, the foundation has provided a mix…

By Kristen McConnell— MUNCIE, IN—The YMCA of Muncie, on behalf of Camp Crosley YMCA, has received a $6 million matching grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Capital Project Initiative for Residential Youth Camps. With the grant, the YMCA of Muncie will launch a $6 million capital campaign to fully leverage the matching funds, resulting in a total $12 million investment in Camp Crosley YMCA. This transformational effort will support significant capital improvements to enhance facilities and expand programming that strengthens youth development, outdoor education, and leadership opportunities. These improvements will position Camp Crosley to serve more youth and deepen…

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN— If you’ve spent time in downtown Muncie, you’ve seen that creativity is everywhere. It lives in performances at Muncie Civic Theatre, in the studios at MadJax Maker Force, in exhibitions at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, in monthly Arts Walks, and in the quiet inspiration found inside the Carnegie Library branch of the Muncie Public Library. It’s in the very architecture of the downtown buildings. These places have long been part of Muncie’s community identity. For years, however, these hubs of arts and culture operated more like individual destinations than a connected experience. That’s beginning…

By Ross Community Center Board of Directors— MUNCIE, IN—The Ross Community Center is thrilled to announce Cindy Miller as their next Executive Director. With years of classroom and nonprofit experience, she is well-equipped to be the next great leader of the Ross Community Center. Cindy is an educator and communications leader with more than 25 years of experience in primary education, higher education, and public relations. She holds a Master of Arts in Adult and Community Education from Ball State University, along with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She has also completed public relations and teaching certifications from Teachers of…

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN — Walk into almost any hospital, manufacturing floor, or tech office in East Central Indiana, and chances are you’ll find someone who got their start at Ivy Tech Community College. As the largest community college system in the country, Ivy Tech reaches students across the state—but what makes it especially impactful is how each of the college’s 41 locations offers a unique set of academic programs and services. In Muncie, that means programs are built around the needs of the region’s employers and the realities of students’ lives. What’s taught in…

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—Local philanthropy continues to make a transformative impact in Muncie and Delaware County, with more than $21 million invested in 2025 by members of the local grantmakers participating in the Funders Forum. This coalition of philanthropic organizations has collaborated for nearly three decades to address critical community needs. “Muncie and Delaware County are fortunate to have a high concentration of philanthropic organizations working alongside one another to strengthen our community,” said Marcy Minton, president and CEO of The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County. “Philanthropy comes alongside private investment and investment from the City and…

By Carly Acree-King— MUNCIE, IN— MadJax Maker Force will host MadJax Small Business Week from May 4–9, 2026, a week of free, hands-on programming designed to help makers, creatives, and entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses. Held in alignment with National Small Business Week and sponsored by PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union, the initiative brings together local experts and partners to lead sessions focused on the real work behind running and growing a business. “This week is a direct response to what our members have been asking for – more access to real, practical business support,” said Carly Acree-King, Executive Director at MadJax Maker…

By Colleen Cooper— MUNCIE, IN — A dedicated group of community members has officially established One Room School House No. 3, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to preserving one of the last remaining brick one-room schoolhouses in the nation and considered a crown jewel of Muncie and Delaware County. Originally built in 1875, the historic schoolhouse had fallen into complete disrepair before being restored in 1996 by the late Norman Miller and his wife, Hermie.  For many years, the restored building served as a living classroom, welcoming local students for immersive field trips that brought history to life. The…