Non-Profit

Muncie Establishes a “Verge Community”

By: John Fallon— Does Muncie have a business start-up community? Are local entrepreneurs familiar with each other and networked? Is there a technology sector in the Muncie community? Is there any real benefit to be gained from connecting people who are involved in establishing new businesses? These questions and others have prompted Sustainable Muncie Corporation, with help from a local bank, to pursue the establishment of a Verge community in Muncie. A Verge community is simply a regular gathering of people who are involved in start-up companies and they engage in pitch competitions, networking and collaborative projects. Patterned after the…

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Community Business Connections—A Free, Friendly Professional Networking Group

By: Lorri Markum— Muncie, IN—Celebrating its first anniversary, Community Business Connections [CBC] has grown leaps and bounds since its inception. With more than thirty regular members, this group of local professionals has not only developed a successful networking group, but many true friendships as well. Three key founding members began discussing the need to grow their own business through a network of local professionals, thus, began the groundwork for CBC. One of its founders, Chase Winkle, Owner of Winkle Mowing Service LLC., said, “We wanted to create a group that could be somewhat structured, but also fluid so, it could…


The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Honors Dr. George E. Branam

The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce honored Dr. George E. Branam with their 2015 Legacy Award. The Gala Event, held Saturday night at the Horizon Convention Center, had over 350 guests. The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s Legacy Award is presented annually to an individual or couple who has made extraordinary, sustained, and positive contributions to the Muncie-Delaware County community, and who has provided leadership in the development of programs, events, and/or new traditions that promote goodwill and community pride. Among those who spoke at the Gala were:  Jim Lambert, Retired Muncie Community Schools; Dr. Jeff Bird, Chief Medical Officer…


A GOOD Guy, Doing GREAT Things

By: Steve Lindell— He’s a quiet, unassuming guy – until you start talking to him about some of his passions, which include being a good citizen of the world, seeing the bright side of things, and helping people that need a hand. He gets fired up about all of that. Steve Robert (pronounced row-BEAR, instead of how you might think) was invited to be interviewed for Woof Boom Radio news and MuncieJournal.com for several reasons: his recent trip to Poland, his efforts for Water is Basic, and his general feeling of “this world is not going to make itself into…


Community Foundation Announces Scholarships

By: Eunice Whitlock—  J Scholarship Awarded The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc., has announced that Noah Kinghorn is the recipient of the 2015 J Scholarship. Kinghorn is a 2014 graduate of Yorktown High School and is currently a sophomore majoring in accounting at Ball State University. He is the son of Tom and Nichole Kinghorn. This scholarship is awarded to a student from a county high school in Delaware County who is interested in obtaining a business degree from the Ball State University School of Business Wingate Scholarship Awarded The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, Inc.,…


Ball Brothers Foundation Announces Rapid Grant Awards

By: Jud Fisher and Donna Munchel— Over twenty organizations have recently been awarded Rapid Grants by Ball Brothers Foundation. The grants are designed to provide funding in the amount of $5,000 or less to help organizations launch a new program or project, purchase equipment, address safety needs, or take advantage of special opportunities. Among the grants recently awarded were several to support early childhood education. A $2,500 grant to Back to School Teachers Store will allow the organization to pilot a new outreach initiative to make classroom supplies available at no charge to high-quality childcare centers, home day care centers, and…


Ball Brothers Foundation Accepting Nominations for Fisher Governance Award

By: Jud Fisher— Ball Brothers Foundation is accepting nominations through August 15 for its annual John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award which recognizes the important role that board members play in the governance of nonprofit organizations. The award honors the efforts of a single board member of a Delaware County nonprofit organization whose strategic planning and oversight skills have contributed to the organization’s mission, financial stability, and general effectiveness. Included in the honor is a $10,000 grant to the organization that the recognized board member represents. This marks the fifth year of the John W. and Janice B….


Innovation Connector Executive Director, Ted Baker Elected to NBIA Board of Directors

The National Business Incubation Association (NBIA), an international non-profit organization and global advocate for stakeholders within entrepreneur-driven economic ecosystems, recently completed its board elections, and five new board members were elected to three-year terms. NBIA’s board of directors is comprised of 15 members who are elected by other members. The newly elected board members will begin their term October 1, 2015. An NBIA member since 2010, Ted Baker is in his fifth year as CEO and Executive Director of the Muncie Innovation Connector, a technology incubator and coworking space in Muncie, Indiana. Ted previously built, grew, and sold several successful businesses and has remained involved with several…


IU Health Blackford Hospital Wins Nation’s Most Wired Award

By: Lucy Harcourt Indiana University Health Blackford Hospital recently earned the 2015 National Most Wired Hospital recognition  for the second year in a row. IU Health Blackford Hospital continues to provide phenomenal techniques by joining technology with patient engagement. Hospitals and Health Networks sponsor the annual Most Wired Survey, which is an industry-standard benchmark study that has been around for more than 15 years. “The Most Wired organizations exemplify progress through innovation so, I am extremely honored that IU Health Blackford Hospital has received the Most Wired Award recognition for the second year in a row,” said Steven West, president and CEO, IU…


Yorktown Lions Club Scholarships Awarded

The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, Inc., has announced that Ryan Morrow and Ryan D. Seymour are the 2015 recipients of the Yorktown Lions Club, Inc. Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to Yorktown High School graduates who maintain an 8.0/12.0 GPA and display good citizenship. Morrow plans to study mechanical engineering at Trine University. He is the son of Rodney and Andrea Morrow. Seymour plans to study aquatic biology and fisheries at Ball State University. He is the son of Richard and Vicki Seymour.