Non-Profit

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $1,004,500 in Community Grants this week. Community Grants provide nonprofit organizations serving Muncie and Delaware County the opportunity to apply for funding to support their work. Grants are awarded to address the broad needs of Muncie and Delaware County. Organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to connect with the Foundation’s Program and Nonprofit Relations team. Through these conversations, Foundation staff and volunteers develop a deeper understanding of the needs within the community, identify resources and support beyond grantmaking, and provide nonprofits more time to focus…

IYI’s 31st edition of the Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book provides insight into the issues Hoosier youth are facing today; a data-driven understanding of opportunities and achievement gaps in the lives of Indiana kids. By Margaret Curtland, Indiana Youth Institute— INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) has released the 2025 Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book, detailing the state’s ranking of 27th nationally for child well-being. This year’s publication, the 31st annual edition, highlights data intersectionality, disparities, and data-informed solutions for some of the most pressing issues facing Hoosier kids. Indiana ranks 15th for Economic Well-Being, 17th for Education, 32nd for Health,…

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN—The 10th annual Neighborhood IDEA Conference will be March 8, 2025, on Ball State University’s campus. The free event will include a look back at some of the most popular sessions over the last decade and new presentations and panel discussions on local political action, projects, and the first “graduating class” of CenterPoint Scholars, a neighborhood leadership academy. “We know that our resident leaders look forward to this gathering every year and we want to continue to make it an informative and fun event for everyone,” said Heather Williams, Associate Director for Community Engagement and Program…

By Margaret Curtland, IYI Senior Communications Manager— MUNCIE, IN—Local community leaders and youth workers will gather on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, for Indiana Youth Institute’s (IYI) annual Muncie State of the Child. Register here to attend. The event is free, but seating is limited. Learn how Muncie children are doing across the areas of family and community, health, economic well-being, and education. IYI will share disaggregated data, opportunities and disparities, and facilitate data-informed conversations about the issues facing Hoosier kids. This year, the event features Muncie Central High School Principal Christopher Walker and Tammy Pearson, President and CEO of Project Leadership, as…

Now a Five-Week Format for Greater Accessibility By Arrick Garringer— MUNCIE, IN—Shafer Leadership Academy (SLA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering inclusive leadership development, is excited to announce the return of Emergence: Personal Foundations of Effective Leadership. This highly interactive leadership program is now offered in a streamlined five-week format to better accommodate busy professionals. The program will run from April 3 through April 29, 2025. Emergence is Shafer Leadership Academy’s signature leadership development experience, designed for both emerging and experienced leaders seeking to enhance their leadership skills. Participants will refine their leadership style, develop confidence, and gain practical tools…

Molly McGuire’s pregnancy went downhill fast in her third trimester. Serious complications claimed her baby’s life and almost killed her, too. She wants others to push for the care they deserve. By Tim Harms, AHA— SELMA, IN—An east central Indiana woman is 1 of 12 women selected nationally to represent the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement across the country in 2025. Molly McGuire of Selma is part of the Association’s 2025 Class of Survivors that will share how their lives have been impacted by heart disease and stroke. At 30, Molly felt her biological clock ticking. She…

By Diane Curtis, District Coordinator, AARP/TCE— MUNCIE, IN—Free Tax assistance will begin on February 1, 2025 at the following locations by appointment only. Tuesday:       10AM-2 PM   Eden Church  11205 N St Rd 3 Wednesday: 10 AM-3 PM   Maring Hunt Library  2005 S High St Thursday:     Noon-4 PM   Senior Center  2517 W 8th St Friday:          10 AM-3 PM   Kennedy Library  1700 W McGalliard Saturday:      10 AM-2 PM   Ross Community Center 1110 W 10th St Beginning now, you may call 765-283-9680. Please leave your name and phone number and your call will be returned within 24 hours.  Return call will be from a different number, or may say…

By Jason Donati— MUNCIE, IN—As the Muncie Action Plan (MAP) wraps up another productive year, we are excited to reflect on our efforts to enhance the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County. As we gear up for our Annual Community Meeting on Wednesday, January 29th, at 6:00 p.m., we invite the public to join us in the Multi-purpose Room at Ivy Tech. Each of our four task forces will present their accomplishments and progress throughout 2024 during this gathering. This article marks the final in a series of updates from our dedicated task force leaders, showcasing the impact of MAP’s…

By Susan Fisher, PR Supervisor at Muncie Public Library— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Public Library (MPL) is celebrating 150 years of providing library services to the Muncie and Center Township community. MPL will mark its sesquicentennial throughout 2025 with a variety of events for the public, including parties, programs focused on MPL’s history, a unique anniversary library card, and the creation of a new long-range plan to chart the future of MPL. “I am relatively new to MPL,” said Alan Kornblau, MPL Library Director, who has led the library system since March of 2024, “but it is obvious to see the rich…