Non-Profit

Muncie Public Library Receives Prestigious NEA ‘Big Read’ Grant for 2025–2026.

MPL to Celebrate Food, Family, and Tradition Through Books, Community, and Culture By Dottie Kreps— MUNCIE, IN – The Muncie Public Library (MPL) is proud to announce it was selected as one of only 65 organizations nationwide to receive a 2025–2026 Big Read grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with Arts Midwest. The grant, totaling $20,000, will support a year-long series of free programs designed to bring the Muncie community together through a shared reading experience centered on the theme of “Food, Family, and Tradition.” The NEA Big Read fosters meaningful conversations, encourages artistic expression,…

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Indiana Black Expo Muncie Chapter Honors Local Community Leaders

By Conner Tighe— MUNCIE, IN—The Indiana Black Expo Muncie Chapter’s corporate luncheon honored community leaders for their service and advocacy. The 30th annual luncheon, held July 31 at Cornerstone Center for the Arts and was sponsored by Shafer Leadership Academy. The event marked the start of the chapter’s Summer Celebration weekend and included remarks from local leaders. Featured speaker Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns reflected on the individuals who inspired him and highlighting the power of education and community. His message aligned with this year’s luncheon theme: Educate. Empower. Elevate.  The luncheon kicked off the chapter’s annual Summer Celebration…


Deadline Approaching For 2025 Fisher Governance Award Nominations

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN — Delaware County nonprofit organizations are invited to nominate a board member for the John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award before the deadline on August 15. The award, given by Ball Brothers Foundation, recognizes the important role board members play in strategic planning and financial oversight to achieve their organization’s mission. The award recipient will receive a $10,000 grant for their organization. “Board members often work behind the scenes, but their leadership plays a big role in a nonprofit’s success,” said Jud Fisher, president and CEO of Ball Brothers…


The Best ‘Fire Up DWNTWN’ Yet – Over 17,000 Strong!

By Amber Greene and Vicki Veach— MUNCIE, IN—This year’s Fire Up DWNTWN event was truly one for the record books. With an unprecedented attendance of over 17,000 people, it stands as the largest and most successful Fire Up celebration to date. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us—from families and friends to visitors and first-time attendees. Your enthusiasm and spirit are what make this event so special each year. We also want to sincerely thank the remarkable partners and sponsors whose generous support and dedication make this event possible. Their commitment to the community is invaluable and…


The Rotary Club of Muncie Endowment Fund Grant Application Deadline is August 31

By Rotary Press Office— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Noon Rotary Club Board of Directors considers grant requests annually. The Club typically awards in total between $8,000-$12,000 annually to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The Board evaluates all requests as objectively as possible, consistent with the expressed priorities of the Club. Last year, grant funding was awarded to the following local nonprofit organizations: 8Twelve Coalition, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, ecoREHAB, First Choice for Women, Home Savers of Delaware County, Motivate Our Minds, Muncie Public Library, Muncie Senior Citizens Center, & Nonprofit Support Network totaling over $10,000. The Rotary Club of Muncie Fund at The Community…


STEM, Space, and Small-Town Spark: NearSpace Education Takes Learning to New Levels

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN — Ball Brothers Foundation staff recently visited NearSpace Education in Upland, Indiana—a nonprofit that’s turning heads with its hands-on, high-flying approach to STEM education. From launching weather balloons into the stratosphere to equipping classrooms with aerospace kits, NearSpace is making science exciting, tangible, and local right here in rural Indiana. Through on-site Space Camps both in Upland and Florida, classroom partnerships, and collaborations with colleges across the Midwest, NearSpace helps students of all ages understand how STEM connects to real-world opportunities—especially in fields like aerospace, engineering, and advanced manufacturing. In 2024,…


League of Women Voters to Host Meeting on Solar and Wind Energy

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The League of Women Voters of Indiana will host a public meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, July 28, at the Maring-Hunt Library Branch located at 2005 S High St in Muncie for residents interested in learning more about how solar and wind – or renewables – affect a county government’s budget. Speakers will be from Randolph County. They are Greg Beumer and David Lenkensdofer. Randolph County is one of a handful of Indiana counties at the forefront of the renewable energy movement. County officials and landowners started working with companies 10 years ago to build wind…


Muncie Public Library Debuts New Name for Library Branch as Part of 150th Anniversary Celebration

By Susan Fisher, PR Supervisor at Muncie Public Library— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Public Library (MPL) continued its yearlong celebration of a remarkable 150 years of service recently with an anniversary event held at Connection Corner on Saturday, July 12. Included in the festivities was a surprise unveiling of a new name for the MPL branch located in the Whitely community. The party was attended by more than 250 community members and representatives of local organizations who shared information, distributed free books, and provided fun activities such as hair styling, face painting, a bounce house, dunk tank, and more. Live music was…


Ball Brothers Foundation Hosts Cybersecurity Summit, Announces $200K in Grants to Build Workforce Pipeline

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN—Ball Brothers Foundation hosted a convening on June 11, gathering community leaders, law enforcement officials, and academic professionals to discuss the growing cyber threats facing East Central Indiana and the nation. In addition, Ball Brothers Foundation announced over $200,000 in grants for local efforts to develop a stronger workforce pipeline to address these threats and to support local law enforcement in building stronger cyber capabilities. The convening featured a distinguished guest presenter from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security who highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance regional security and preparedness…


Muncie-Delaware County Senior Center Receives $5,000 Grant from Glick Philanthropies

By Glick Philanthropies— MUNCIE, IN – The Muncie-Delaware County Senior Center received a $5,000 grant from the Glick Community Relief Fund, a grant program of Glick Philanthropies that supports local nonprofit organizations to increase community members’ access to basic needs. The grant was one of 107 totaling $770,000 to organizations supporting communities across 12 states where Gene B. Glick Company properties are located. The Glick Community Relief Fund focuses on increasing healthy food access, expanding accessible transportation, connecting community members to utility assistance, and prioritizing mental health support. This grant was one of 66 directed to Indiana-based organizations. “Glick Philanthropies is…