Non-Profit

Muncie, IN—The Youth Opportunity Center recently hired two new staff members: Elizabeth Kester as Director of Customers Relations, and Paul Ward as Spiritual Life Coordinator. Elizabeth Kester, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, joins the YOC team with several years of experience in customer relations. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University in 2004. Upon graduation, she began her career as Donor Relations Manager at Christ’s Haven for Children and quickly climbed the ladder to become Director of Public Relations & Marketing for the company. At the YOC, Elizabeth will be responsible for meeting with clients across Indiana…

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN—Over twenty non-profit organizations were awarded Ball Brothers Foundation Rapid Grants totaling nearly $100,000 during the second half of 2017. “BBF’s Rapid Grant program allows our foundation to quickly respond to funding requests in Muncie and East Central Indiana. Non-profit organizations can apply for up to $5,000 in funding, and organizations typically receive funding approval or denial within a week of submitting a proposal. We understand that unanticipated needs often arise, and Rapid Grants are an excellent way for us to channel resources to help non-profits to address critical issues, innovate, and take advantage of new…

By: Frank Baldwin— Muncie, IN—The 87th annual Muncie Mission free Christmas dinner for residents and community guests will be Sunday, December 17th.  A Christmas celebration service will begin at 11:30 a.m., dinner will follow at 12-noon.  Everyone is welcome. Last year, 200 Christmas dinners were served at the mission for residents and guests by staff and volunteers.  Additionally, 225 meals were delivered by volunteers to those homebound in Muncie. “Everyone should be able to experience Christmas dinner, but for many that is not an option. It is our honor to be able to provide Christmas dinner for any person who…

By: Sarah Shaffer, Education and Marketing Coordinator—  Muncie, IN—Cornerstone Center for the Arts will conclude its fall class session with its Fall Celebration on Sunday, December 10. This recital will include dance and music performances as well as a student art gallery. The show will begin at 2 p.m. in the E.B. Ball Auditorium followed by light refreshments in the Colonnade Room on the first floor of Cornerstone. The event will continue until 5 p.m. Celebration will highlight the work of this session’s youth and adult dance and private lesson music students. Information about the upcoming spring class session will be available…

By: Dr. John H. West, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning, BSU— Muncie, IN—Muncie Land Bank is a new non-profit organization focused on the issue of property abandonment, vacancy and blight. It will ease transition from abandonment to reuse by enhancing community engagement, sharing information with the public, and lowering the cost of purchasing or using abandoned properties. Property abandonment in Muncie is a complex problem, with real costs for local residents. It requires a systematic and forceful response. A collaborative project between the City, the County, Ball State University and local foundations, the Muncie Land Bank that will be a community asset…

  Muncie, IN—Nine local teachers will receive $3,076 in Robert P. Bell Education Grants from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. across the county, 1,000s of students benefit from Bell Education Grants each year. Awards of up to $450 are available through the Bell Grants program. Funded projects are creative or innovative classroom projects designed to stimulate learning in students. All Delaware County teachers are invited to apply during any of the four grant cycles. Awards for the second cycle of this school year include: Ben Buehler and Barbara Miller, Yorktown High School, were awarded $272 for a project…

By: Jennifer Johnson— Muncie, IN—Celebrate the holiday season with The Muncie Symphony Orchestra!  Join the MSO and guests for the annual Fisher/Shafer Holiday Pops concert this Saturday, December 2, at 4 p.m. in Emens Auditorium. Youth tickets (K-12) are just $5 and Adult single tickets starting at $25. Ball State students FREE in advance with ID.  For tickets, contact the Emens Box Office at 765.285.1539. “I look forward to sharing a joyful afternoon with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, Ball State University Singers and Jazz Ensemble.  The show includes something festive for everyone with music from the movies, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker mixed…

Giving Tuesday at Muncie Civic Theater Muncie, IN—Giving Tuesday is a day of charitable donations worldwide. Today, Muncie Civic Theatre would like to share a story of giving back. As the historic Muncie Civic Theatre prepares to open its doors again to the public after months of renovations, it is still seeking donations to reach its goal of $2.5 million. Everyone has their own personal story of why they give. For some, it’s love of the arts, for others it’s more personal.  Clarence and Carol Casazza, long-time supporters of Muncie Civic Theatre, have generously offered a matching gift up to $50,000…

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded $61,559 to five non-profit organizations during the fourth Quarterly Competitive Grant cycle of 2017. The Community Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County for this generation and generations to come. Quarterly Competitive Grants are awarded to fund projects for which there is a demonstrable community benefit in one of the following areas of interest: arts and culture, human services, economic development, education and community betterment. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. is…