By Heather Williams—
MUNCIE, IN—As the Muncie Action Plan (MAP) looks back on a productive year, we are excited to reflect on our continued efforts to enhance the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County. We invite the community to join us for our Annual Report to the Community, taking place Wednesday, January 28, at 6:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Ivy Tech.
During this gathering, each of MAP’s four task forces will present their accomplishments and progress from 2025 and their goals and aspirations for 2026. This article marks the third in a series of updates from our dedicated task force leaders, highlighting the impact of MAP’s initiatives and the power of collaboration across our community.
Muncie Action Plan’s Task Force 3: City Neighborhoods – 2025 marked fifteen years of neighborhood impact, and it was another busy year for MAP’s Task Force 3 (TF3). The year kicked off with a celebration for the first graduating class of CenterPoint Scholars. This year-long neighborhood leadership academy is designed to cultivate a dedicated group of resident leaders who are passionate about improving their neighborhoods. Eight Scholars representing five of Muncie’s neighborhoods were honored on March 7th at the Ball State University Art Museum.
Attendees at the CenterPoint Scholars Celebration. Photo by Ty Morton.
The second cohort of CenterPoint Scholars was then announced at the IDEA conference, which was held the following day. The event marked the 10th annual neighborhoods conference. Over 130 of Muncie’s most active residents gathered that morning to hone their leadership skills, connect with community resources, and network with fellow grassroots change makers.
In addition to its keystone IDEA conference, TF3 helped coordinate the $2 Tour of the Village on August 23rd and the fall Bridge Dinner in September. Both events are important opportunities for community building and have grown considerably since their first introduction following Peter Kageyama’s “Love Where You Live” presentation at Cornerstone Center for the Arts in 2017.
Deputy Chief, Delaware County Sheriff, raising money for the Boys and Girls Club in the dunk tank at the $2 Tour of the Village.
Photo by Indiana Army National Guard.
MAP’s Task Force 3 continued to coordinate the Neighborhoods American Rescue Plan program, as the City of Muncie’s nonprofit partner. The one-million-dollar program supported neighborhood events across the city in 2025, as well as park improvements, utility assistance programs, and direct payment to residents negatively impacted by COVID. All funds must be spent by the end of 2026, and TF3 will work throughout the year to assist neighborhoods in meeting this important federal deadline.
Task Force 3 undertook two new projects in 2025, including a neighborhood image survey of Morningside, Old West End, Ludingwood, and Minnetrista Central. Information gathered from the survey will serve as a baseline to gauge whether MAP’s efforts are moving the needle on neighborhood image and pride. TF3 is also developing a civic engagement Substack called Muncie Waypoint to help engage residents in local government. Waypoint will help shift participants from political “hobbyism” —the passive consumption of political drama – to building actual local power and agency. The program will utilize a gamified system where participants will earn points, unlock badges, and qualify for prizes and public recognition as they move along a developmental path from “Base Camp” to the “Summit.”
As we move into 2026, we anticipate a fun and informative IDEA conference scheduled for March 7th and are excited to announce that applications are now open for the third cohort of CenterPoint Scholars. CenterPoint Scholars participate in hands-on learning, skill-building activities, and networking opportunities. These leaders will be equipped to advocate for change and inspire collective action for years to come by learning to lead with confidence in their neighborhoods. If you are interested in learning more about neighborhood engagement and grassroots advocacy, please apply today. The application process is open through January 31st. Thanks to a generous grant from CenterPoint Energy and financial support from the City of Muncie, this groundbreaking initiative continues to empower community leaders and foster meaningful change in Muncie’s vibrant neighborhoods.
Task Force 3 members include Lucas Pint (MAP’s Neighborhood Organizer), Drew Hall, Gretchen Cheesman, Nate Howard, Donna Brown, Cornelius Dollison, Megan Orbin, Chip Taylor, and Heather Williams. If you have an interest in serving on the Task Force, please reach out to TF3 chair, Heather Williams at hlwilliams@bsu.edu.
Join us on January 28 at 6:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Ivy Tech downtown to hear about the impactful initiatives underway across all four MAP task forces.
