Search Results for Innovation connector

Grissom Elementary improved attendance. Photo provided

Non-Profit January 9, 2023

George and Frances Ball Foundation 2022 End of Year Recap and Grantmaking Focus

By Kelsey Harrington, Program and Analytics Officer, GFBF— George and Frances Ball Foundation Convenes 50+ Community Organizations Through Collective Impact Initiative: Cradle to Career Muncie, Awards a Record $5.4 Million in Grants MUNCIE, IN—In 2022, The George and Frances Ball Foundation (GFBF) continued its commitment to extending equitable educational assistance and support to families and youth in the historically underserved neighborhoods of Muncie (Promise Neighborhoods), starting at birth and extending through to successful employment that provides a greater opportunity to…

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Pictured L-R: Entrepreneurs of the Year— Tiara Hicks, Mayor Dan Ridenour, Lynn Moore, Bernisa Elliott, Peggy Cenova, and Kurt Harrington.

Business December 23, 2022

Entrepreneur Showcase Week – A Great Week for Muncie Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

By Ted Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—A little over eight months ago, our creative Innovation Connector team began planning a new event that we hoped would impact both entrepreneurs and business owners. We wanted this event to be something that had never been done before. As we worked through our thoughts and dreams for this event, the idea of Entrepreneur Showcase Week began to take shape. As we plotted our strategies to make this event unique, and…

Leigh Carter Edwards with Muncie Mission Ministries and Carl Schafer with Muncie Arts discuss fundraising best practices during a training hosted by Nonprofit Support Network in November 2022. In 2023, Shafer Leadership Academy and Nonprofit Support Network are collaborating to provide year-long educational programs for nonprofits in Muncie and Delaware County. Photo provided

Non-Profit December 19, 2022

Nonprofit Support Network and Shafer Leadership Academy Announce Joint Programming for 2023

By Carly Acree King, Relationship & Resource Director— MUNCIE, IN—Nonprofits serving or located in Muncie-Delaware County will have access to expanded educational programming in 2023 thanks to a collaboration between Nonprofit Support Network and Shafer Leadership Academy. Launched in the fall of 2022, Nonprofit Essentials is designed to address a gap in the training resources available to nonprofits in the east central Indiana region. This collaboration comes after almost two years of work between the organizations as Shafer Leadership Academy was…

Photo provided

Non-Profit November 22, 2022

Ball Brothers Foundation Awards Over $5 Million in Funding for 39 Projects

By Melissa Narlock— MUNCIE, IN — Ball Brothers Foundation approved over $5 million in funding for 39 projects during its second round of grantmaking in 2022. The grants included funding to support efforts that further bolster school counseling programs and expand outdoor learning throughout schools in the heart of Muncie. During its fall grant round, Ball Brothers Foundation awarded funding to educational organizations including: Project Leadership: $15,000 to support continuation of the Delaware County Comprehensive Counseling Coalition. Burris Laboratory School…

Pictured L-R: Ted Baker, Dan Ridenour, Ron Fauquher. Photo provided

Business, Government November 15, 2022

Small Businesses Thrive and Grow in Muncie

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—On Monday morning, Mayor Ridenour addressed a packed room of Muncie’s best and brightest entrepreneurs at the Innovation Connector to kick off Entrepreneur Showcase Week. The brainchild of Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector, the week is packed with 20 events for local businesses of all sizes. Ranging from workshops about Quickbooks and creative marketing to networking opportunities, many of the free events filled up with registrations weeks in advance. For Ridenour, investing in…

Entrepreneur Showcase Week banners greet visitors inside the lobby of the Innovation Connector. Photo provided

Business November 7, 2022

Announcing the Inaugural 2022 Entrepreneurs of the Year Award Winners

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—Since May of this year, the Innovation Connector has been planning and preparing for Entrepreneur Showcase Week in Muncie.  As a reminder, this event is unique to the Muncie community, and no other community has attempted anything like this.  Entrepreneur Showcase Week comprises twenty workshops, panel discussions, discussion groups, and networking groups during one week – all at the Innovation Connector facility.  Because of our very supportive sponsors, all…

Marta Moody is pictured with Jud Fisher and her award. Photo provided

Non-Profit October 28, 2022

Marta Moody Recognized with 2022 Fisher Governance Award

By Melissa Narlock— MUNCIE, IN — Ball Brothers Foundation presented its annual Fisher Governance Award this year to Marta Moody, board president of Cardinal Greenways. Moody was recognized with the award at the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s 128th Annual Meeting Celebration on October 27. The John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award annually honors a nonprofit board member in Delaware County for exemplary leadership, integrity, responsibility, and accountability. “I can attest to the strong, passionate leader Marta Moody…

Showcase Week will take place November 14-19, 2022. http://www.showcaseweek.com

Business October 11, 2022

Why Entrepreneur Showcase Week? 

By Ted Baker CEO/Executive Director, Muncie, Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—With about one month to go before the Innovation Connector engages in the most extensive series of events for businesses and entrepreneurs in its history, I was recently asked the question, “Why is the Innovation Connector doing this?”  I thought that was a really good question, and I want to share my answer with you. Over the past twelve-plus years of being at the Innovation Connector, I have met with…

Showcase Week will take place November 14-19, 2022. http://www.showcaseweek.com

Business September 19, 2022

Registrations for Entrepreneur Showcase Week Now Open at www.Showcaseweek.com

By Ted Baker CEO/Executive Director, Muncie, Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—Entrepreneurs play a major role in impacting nearly every component of the economy – as the biggest source of jobs and income for employees in the nation, by investing in community projects and financially supporting charitable causes. They are the drivers of new job creation, innovative products, and services and lead the way for social changes in our society. Since announcing the activities of Entrepreneur Showcase Week in last month’s…

Bekah Clawson, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, participates in discussion during a fundraising training hosted by Nonprofit Support Network while Scott Watkins, executive director of Orchestra Indiana, looks on. The Nonprofit Support Network is launching nonprofit-specific programming that will raise awareness around key topics related to nonprofit work.

Non-Profit September 16, 2022

Nonprofit Support Network Announces Nonprofit Programming

By Carly Acree King— MUNCIE, IN—Nonprofit Support Network is excited to announce its inaugural programming designed to strengthen nonprofits in Muncie and Delaware County. The program, titled “Nonprofit Essentials,” is a series of learning sessions designed to strengthen the operations and `management of nonprofit organizations and enhance the development of the individuals who serve them. Each session will address a topic relevant to the needs of nonprofits, from nonprofit administration and fundraising to marketing and workplace health and wellness. Nonprofit Essentials…