Non-Profit

New Conservation Group to Host Free Public Event on April 23 at Guardian Brewing Company

By Nick Werner— MUNCIE, IN — The newly founded White River Chapter of Quail Forever is inviting hunters, nature lovers, and anyone who cares about wildlife to its first-ever public event. Birds & Brews Pint Night will take place on Thursday, April 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Guardian Brewing Company in Muncie. Admission is free and open to everyone. “This event is for anyone who loves the outdoors — from bird hunters to people who just enjoy seeing…

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2026 ViVA Award Winners Announced

By Muncie Rotary Club— MUNCIE, IN— On April 14, 2026, Westminster Village was filled with gratitude and admiration as the community came together to celebrate the exemplary individuals and organizations dedicated to making a difference in Delaware County. The annual ViVA (Very Important Volunteer Award) luncheon, a cherished tradition since its inception in 1993 by the Muncie Noon Rotary Club, in partnership with the Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club, once again shone a spotlight on the selfless efforts of volunteers who…


League Earth Day Program Will Show How Solar and Farming Can Work Together

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—“Sustainable Land Management on Ground Mounted Solar Projects” is the title of the League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County’s program to celebrate Earth Day 2026 at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Kennedy Branch Library. The program is free and open to the public. The guest speaker will be Breanna Reed, the owner and operator of Bee-Ewe-tiful Farms in Walkerton, Indiana. Reed’s specialty is managing sheep on solar fields, and she is an advocate for dual-use…


Riverside-Normal City Neighborhood Association Supports Emerson Dog Park with Community Mulch Effort

By Amy Leffingwell— MUNCIE, IN—On April 11, in recognition of National Pets Day, the Riverside-Normal City Association took action to support Emerson Dog Park through a community-led mulch donation effort aimed at improving conditions for park users. This initiative reflects the association’s commitment to caring for shared public spaces. While members express appreciation for the Muncie Parks Department and its ongoing work to maintain the city’s parks, they believe stewardship of public access areas should also be embraced as a…


Ball Brothers Foundation Welcomes 2026 Fellows in Program’s 21st Year

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN — In its 100th year, Ball Brothers Foundation is continuing a long-standing tradition of learning alongside the community it serves. The foundation is pleased to welcome two new Fellows for 2026: Jena Ashby, Relationship and Resource Director at Nonprofit Support Network, and Kenyonta (Ken) Hudson, Executive Director of Whitely Community Council. For more than two decades, the Fellows Program has created space for open conversation between local nonprofit leaders and foundation…


Free ‘All Aboard’ Workshop Invites Community Members to Explore Nonprofit Board Service in Muncie

By Arrick Garringer— MUNCIE, IN — Community members from East Central Indiana are invited to attend All Aboard: Board Leadership in Action, an annual workshop designed to help individuals explore nonprofit board service, on Tuesday, May 12, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the YWCA of Central Indiana, 310 E. Charles St., downtown Muncie. The free event is presented by Shafer Leadership Academy, Heart of Indiana United Way, and the Nonprofit Support Network, with additional programmatic…


Neighborhood Leaders Gather for Another Successful IDEA Conference

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN—The 11th IDEA Conference returned on March 6th with a playful, purposeful nod to Sesame Street, inviting neighborhood leaders to “come and play” while engaging in networking, workshops, and more at Ball State University’s L.A. Pittenger Student Center. Nearly 130 people attended this year’s sessions, which covered a range of topics, from political action and leadership development to project planning and community engagement. In one session, led by the Whitely Neighborhood Association, participants played a new…


$5,000 Grant Expands Leadership Development Access Through Emergence Program

CenterPoint Energy Foundation Funds Scholarships for Nonprofit Professionals By Arrick Garringer—   MUNCIE, IN — Shafer Leadership Academy is expanding access to its signature leadership program, Emergence: Personal Foundations of Effective Leadership, by offering scholarships to nonprofit professionals and organizations across the region. Recognizing the critical role nonprofit leaders play in strengthening communities, Shafer Leadership Academy is committed to making high-quality leadership development more accessible to those working in mission-driven organizations. Emergence is a five-week, highly interactive program designed to…


PhyXTGears Robotics Team Members Write About Their Recent Competition

By Emmalene Jones and Aakash Kambham, robotics team members—  MATTHEWS, IN—East Central Indiana FIRST Robotics Team 1720, The PhyXTGears, a community-based, high school level team, competed at the FIN Columbus Regional Event on March 21st and 22nd. The event took place at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Indiana.  This year’s FIRST™ Robotics game is called REBUILT™. It is a fast-paced, defense-heavy game in which robots must collect and shoot medium-sized yellow balls, called fuel, into a hub. Many say…


Ball Brothers Foundation Grantee Spotlight: Q&A with Cardinal Greenways

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN — For more than three decades, Cardinal Greenways has connected communities across East Central Indiana. Stretching across five counties and weaving through cities, towns, and rural landscapes, Cardinal Greenways is Indiana’s longest rail-trail—and a defining regional asset. The trail is owned and maintained by Cardinal Greenways, a nonprofit organization, rather than by a state or local government. That means every mile of trail, every trailhead, and every improvement is made possible through…