Non-Profit

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – The Creative Space Action Plan, which outlines actionable steps to expand affordable creative spaces, enhance public engagement, and support the arts as a driving force for economic growth and quality of life in Muncie based on extensive input from residents, artists, and local organizations, is now available online at https://www.cfmdin.org/csap. The Creative Space Action Plan reflects the vision of the Muncie community, which has been instrumental in identifying challenges and opportunities to build a thriving arts and cultural hub. With input from more than 300 community members, the plan provides strategies to foster Muncie’s…

By Cornerstone Board of Directors— MUNCIE, IN – We’re excited to share some amazing news from Cornerstone Center for the Arts. First, we added Stephanie Michaels as our Director of Programs. She brings more than 10 years of experience in arts education and joined our already talented team. Second, we’ve been selected as a finalist for the WIBU (Women in Business Unlimited) Leadership Organization Award. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to empowering the community through arts and leadership, especially in supporting women as artists, educators, and professionals. In addition to this exciting news, Cornerstone has launched a…

By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, IN—YWCA Central Indiana raised $93,000 at its 2024 Walk In Her HEELS event last month. More than 350 people turned out for the annual fundraiser at the Horizon Convention Center in downtown Muncie. “We are thrilled,” said CEO WaTasha Barnes Griffin. “We returned to this annual event last year, following a hiatus due to COVID. This year, proved we’re back 110 percent.” YWCA Central Indiana gave shelter to 687 women and 143 children in 2023, Barnes Griffin reported. It is the only YWCA in the area that also accepts boys up to age 18. “Youth homelessness…

By Zach Gonzalez– MUNCIE, IN–Yolanda Velez moved to Muncie to watch over her six-year-old granddaughter while Velez’s daughter, a single mother, studied at Ball State. Velez stayed in Muncie long after her daughter moved to Louisville, Kentucky because she found people to be with once her family was away. Velez, who generally goes by the nickname “Yo,” plugged herself into various communities across Muncie, as she found a church to attend and volunteered at locations like  Second Harvest Food Bank. “I’m close into the community. I may not have a blood family here, but I have a Muncie family,” Velez…

 By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE IN – Ball Brothers Foundation, a family foundation committed to place-based grantmaking in Indiana for nearly a century, has awarded over $5 million in its fall round of grants for 2024, supporting 36 organizations across East Central Indiana. Among the recipients is United Day Care Center, which was awarded $125,000 to add on to its existing facility on the east side of downtown Muncie. As families continue to face challenges in accessing affordable childcare, the need for quality early childhood education has never been more pressing. Currently, nearly 60% of families in the region struggle to…

By Barb Stedman— MUNCIE, IN—The  Robert Cooper Audubon Society will honor the recipients of its 2024 conservation awards on Wednesday, December 4, 6-9 p.m., at the Ball State University Alumni Center. The public is invited. The event, which includes inspiring presentations by the honorees, appetizers and door prizes, is free and open to non-Audubon members. Attendees should RSVP to cooperaudubon@gmail.com by November 20. The following individuals and organizations will be recognized for their contributions to conservation and environmental education in East Central Indiana: Bill Buskirk, recipient of the Robert H. and Esther L. Cooper Conservation Award, the chapter’s highest honor, for…

By Dan Wolfert— MUNCIE, IN – The Muncie Noon Rotary Club is excited to announce the awarding of $10,120 in grants to nine local nonprofit organizations from the Rotary Club of Muncie Fund. These funds, housed at The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, will support various initiatives that enhance the well-being of the Muncie community. This year saw the highest number of applications in the fund’s history, with 27 nonprofits applying for support. The selection process was highly competitive, making the decisions challenging for the Grants Selection Committee. Ultimately, nine organizations were selected for funding, with three receiving…

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN – Ball Brothers Foundation is excited to welcome two new Fellows for 2024: Brian Statz, President & CEO of Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, and Carly Acree King, Relationship and Resource Director at Nonprofit Support Network (NSN). For the past nineteen years, the Fellows Program has connected two nonprofit leaders in East Central Indiana with the foundation to encourage open, two-way dialogue. The program gives Fellows the opportunity to learn about foundation operations and share their own perspectives on nonprofit and community issues. Fellows meet monthly with foundation staff from April through December to engage in…

By United Way —  MUNCIE, IN – Heart of Indiana United Way announced that it is one of 68 communities and organizations joining the Early Years Initiative. The organization received a $300,000 grant to help meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers and surround their families with the resources to maximize the crucial years of learning from birth to age 3. Through its grant, Heart of Indiana United Way will expand its “Talking is Teaching” public awareness early literacy campaign. Funding will help give parents and caregivers valuable resources to increase meaningful interactions that are critical to healthy brain…