Non-Profit

Delaware County Special Needs Prom Expands Program But Needs Your Donations

By Lynne Hatfield— MUNCIE, IN—The Mission Statement of the Delaware County Special Needs Prom/Events, Inc. is “to create social events that inspire and enhance self-esteem for individuals with special needs.  These social events will also educate the community on the unique and wonderful abilities of some very special individuals.” We have special needs adult children.  However, transitioning from school to adulthood has been very difficult.  Unfortunately, the adult special needs community is often forgotten and pushed aside.  It is because of this fact that our organization continues to evolve and go beyond our initial mission statement and expand our programming…

Read More

Autism at Work: Awareness, Accommodations, and Advocacy Panel to Promote Inclusive Workplaces

By Arrick Garringer— MUNCIE, IN – In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, Shafer Leadership Academy invites employers, professionals, and community members to attend Autism at Work: Awareness, Accommodations, and Advocacy, a free community panel discussion on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Innovation Connector, 1208 W White River Blvd, Muncie, IN 47303. This interactive session will explore the experiences of autistic employees, best practices for workplace accommodations, and strategies for self-advocacy. Autistic employees bring valuable skills and perspectives to the workplace, yet many organizations struggle to create environments where neurodiverse individuals can truly thrive….


Muncie Altrusa Club Recognizes 4th Grade Essay Contest Winners

By Amber Burress, Altrusa Club of Muncie— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Altrusa Club hosted the winners of the 38th Annual 4th Grade Essay Contest on March 20th during a luncheon at the Minnetrista Museum and Gardens.  The winners of the essay contest were: Zayn Ayers, Daleville Elementary; Rory Hart, Burris Laboratory School; Amaris McNeill, North View Elementary; CJ Plummer, Selma Elementary; Rowan Porter, East Washington Academy; and Zoey Triplett, West View Elementary. Each student read their essay titled: “Why is Reading like a Magical Adventure?” to the assembled group. Following the reading each student was presented with a certificate, a backpack…


Sagamore of the Wabash Awarded to Jud Fisher

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN—Prior to leaving office in January, former Governor Eric Holcomb presented Jud Fisher, President & CEO of Ball Brothers Foundation, with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award – one of Indiana’s highest honors. Indiana governors give the award to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to life in the state. Governor Holcomb, in a video shared with the Ball Brothers Foundation board of directors in late February, cited Fisher’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, continued commitment to public health and improving the quality of life in Indiana, and spirit of…


Springing Forward: Cornerstone’s Commitment to Sustainability and Creative Growth

By Cornerstone Board of Directors— MUNCIE, IN— Spring is here, and Cornerstone Center for the Arts is blooming with excitement as we look forward to a season of new growth and continued sustainability! As we approach the 100th anniversary of our beloved building in 2026, we are celebrating big strides in both preserving our historic facility and embracing eco-friendly practices. This season, we are proud to announce that we’ve made incredible progress thanks to our partnership with philanthropist Andy Gigante and the generous support of our community. Since 2017, Andy Gigante, President and CEO of Orthodynamics Company, inc., has helped…


Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity to Celebrate 300th Family at Dedication on March 13

By Habitat staff— MUNCIE, IN—The public is invited to celebrate the 300th family served by Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity on Thursday. Since its founding in 1986, Muncie Habitat has worked diligently to provide families with security, safety, and stability through homeownership. Whether by constructing new homes or making critical repairs to existing homes, the organization has helped 300 families achieve housing stability through affordable, no-interest loans. “This milestone is a testament to the power of community and the impact we can make together,” said Muncie Habitat CEO Lindsey Arthur. “We’re so excited to celebrate alongside Maquanna and her family,…


Muncie Housing Authority Acquires Millennium Place Homes

By Muncie Housing Authority staff— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Housing Authority is thrilled to announce its recent acquisition of the Millennium Place developments from Flaherty & Collins. This significant expansion includes Millennium Place I, II, III, IV, Howard Square Apartments, and the Muncie Home Ownership (MHO) properties. Completed on January 1, 2025, the acquisition adds 200 affordable housing units to the MHA portfolio. Among these are 62 public housing residences. Restoring units for single-family households has become an advanced priority. Currently, MHA offers one-bedroom units at the Gillespie Towers community, primarily for elderly and disabled residents. The acquisition of Millennium Place…


Ball Brothers Foundation Marks 99th Year With New Board Appointment

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN— As Ball Brothers Foundation enters its 99th year of grantmaking, it is proud to announce the appointment of Chris Fisher, a fourth-generation Ball family member, to the foundation’s board of directors. With a deep-rooted family legacy and passion for education, recreation, and community development, Chris will play a key role in carrying on the foundation’s longstanding commitment to philanthropy in Muncie and East Central Indiana. Chris is the great-grandson of Edmund Burke Ball whose estate gift in 1926 was used to establish Ball Brothers Foundation. Chris spent the early years of…


Now Accepting Nominations for the 2025 David Sursa Leadership Award

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—The Community Foundation is pleased to announce that nominations are being accepted for the annual David Sursa Leadership Award. The award rewards, recognizes, and encourages extraordinary leadership by a nonprofit board member in Delaware County. Standing behind the belief that every community benefits from leaders who understand local issues and visualize and promote positivity, The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County established the David Sursa Leadership Award in honor of the organization’s inaugural Board president. David Sursa blazed a trail for The Community Foundation with visionary leadership that has contributed significantly to its success. The…


Shafer Leadership Academy Receives Grant from CenterPoint Energy Foundation to Support Scholarships

By Arrick Garringer— MUNCIE, IN – Shafer Leadership Academy (SLA) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation. This generous funding will provide five scholarships for the upcoming Emergence: Personal Foundations of Effective Leadership program, scheduled to begin on April 3, 2025. The scholarships aim to support neighborhood association leaders, nonprofit professionals, and individuals from underrepresented communities, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities. This initiative aligns with Shafer Leadership Academy’s commitment to fostering inclusive leadership development and creating opportunities for diverse voices in leadership. “We are thrilled to partner with the…