Non-Profit

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 2024 by members of the Funders Forum Collaborative. This coalition of 17 philanthropic organizations has collaborated for nearly three decades to address critical community needs. “This year’s Philanthropic Snapshot highlights the collective power of giving in our community,” said Marcy Minton, president and CEO of The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, which convenes the Funders Forum. “Collaboration among funders ensures that charitable dollars are strategically aligned to make the greatest possible impact in Muncie…

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—Teacher Appreciation Week kicks off Monday, May 5. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County supports teachers throughout Delaware County through Robert P. Bell Classroom Enhancement Grants. The Robert P. Bell Classroom Enhancement Grants Program at The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County provides schools with grants to support classroom projects that stimulate student learning. During the 2024-25 school year, six local schools received $12,653 in Classroom Enhancement Grants. Since the program began in 1992, the Bell Grant program has provided grants of $50 to $600 to teachers and counselors in Delaware County. This…

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN—For over a decade, BBF has been supporting the work of Project Leadership, a nonprofit organization serving East Central Indiana’s students, families, and schools. Project Leadership’s programs are laser-focused on preparing students for education and career journeys after high school. It’s no secret that the choices—and challenges—that high school students face can feel daunting. From navigating changing high school graduation requirements to applying for trade school or college, it’s easy for students to get lost in complex systems and processes. And that’s where Project Leadership comes in. Come along with us as we sit down with…

By Jenni Marsh— MUNCIE, IN—Imagine your child receiving a brand-new, high-quality book every month from birth to age five—absolutely free. That’s the magic of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library; a program Heart of Indiana United Way (HIUW) proudly coordinates and funds across the five counties we serve. It’s more than just books. It’s about building a foundation for lifelong success. Studies show that children from low-income families hear 30 million fewer words by the age of three than their more affluent peers. That “word gap” has long-term effects on vocabulary, reading readiness, and educational achievement. Most of these families work two…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The public is invited to attend the League of Women Voters of Muncie/Delaware County’s Earth Day meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Maring-Hunt Library, 2005 S. High St. The topic will be “Electrification.” Making the presentation will be John Vann, a retired Ball State professor and sustainability promoter. He will discuss why electrification is important and how to switch from using fossil fuels to using more electricity. Vann said, “Modern electrical replacements use technologies that are very efficient and deliver significant financial savings for homeowners. Electrification also reduces global-heating CO2 emissions, and in…

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN— Celebrate the roots of sustainability at the 2025 Muncie Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens. This free, family-friendly event honors Muncie’s 27th year as a Tree City USA, bringing the community together to explore nature, plant for the future, and take home a tree of their own. The centerpiece of the event is the free sapling giveaway, offering a variety of native canopy and understory trees to grow in your own backyard. Explore a stunning selection of canopy trees—while these saplings may be…