Non-Profit

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Donations of new and gently used books, puzzles, DVDs and CDs (music and books) will be accepted for the American Association of University Women – Muncie Branch Used Book Sale starting at 8 a.m. Monday, May 20, at Ball State University Alumni Center, 2800 W. Bethel Ave. Carts will be available to unload books at the front door of the Ball State Alumni Center, and donors may temporarily park at the entrance of the center. Note that textbooks, magazines, damaged or soiled books, dictionaries, almanacs, encyclopedia sets, cassette tapes or VHS tapes are not accepted. All…

By Kelsey Harrington— MUNCIE, IN—Two community leaders, Mark Hardwick of First Merchants Corporation and James Williams of DeFur Voran, were recently elected to the George and Frances Ball Foundation’s Board of Directors. The GFBF Board oversees the Foundation’s annual grantmaking, as well as provides guidance and leadership for its Cradle to Career Muncie initiative. Hardwick and Williams were added to the Board with this in mind, bringing with them a breadth of knowledge and experience in specific, local industry needs, as well as public, early, and higher education. Mark Hardwick joined First Merchants Bank in 1997. He currently serves as…

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – It’s Teacher Appreciation Week. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County is proud to support teachers throughout Delaware County. The Robert P. Bell Education Grants Program at The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County provides teachers with grants to support projects that stimulate student learning. During the 2023-24 school year, 22 local teachers were awarded Robert P. Bell Education Grants totaling $9,226.20. Teachers often have instructional ideas they would like to implement in their classrooms. Sometimes, a lack of funds can prevent them from moving forward. Robert P. Bell Education Grants are…

By Ro Selvey— MUNCIE, IN—Land banks are nonprofit organizations that play a vital role in revitalizing communities by helping to transform vacant and abandoned properties into vibrant assets. While in many cases land banks operate independently, cities can significantly enhance their impact by providing financial support. In 2017, the city of Muncie took a proactive step by establishing an ordinance supporting the creation of a land bank, thanks to the support of the Muncie City Council. This move demonstrates the city’s commitment to addressing blight and revitalizing neighborhoods. Responsive Local Ownership: Land banks can acquire, address safety concerns, clear encumbrances,…

By Cornerstone board of directors— MUNCIE, IN—2024 is off to a great start for Cornerstone Center for the Arts. We began the year by announcing that CCA successfully raised $22,000 at the end of last year, during our December fundraiser. We also secured during the first quarter $50,000 in grant funding alone. The community’s generous support has put us on the right track. However, we know our work is not over. In honor of May being National Historic Preservation Month, we are doing a fundraiser to support Cornerstone. Your donation will help cover the maintenance and preservation costs of our…

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN— Ball Brothers Foundation is pleased to announce that Dan Wolfert will join the Foundation’s team as a new Program Officer. His role with the foundation begins June 3. “We are excited to welcome Dan to the Ball Brothers Foundation team,” said Jud Fisher, the foundation’s president and chief executive officer. “Dan’s hiring concluded a national search of highly qualified candidates. We were impressed by his understanding of the area in which we operate, his local connections, and his community volunteer work.” Wolfert, currently vice president of development and marketing at Hillcroft Services, Inc., a local…

By Jill Palumbo & Sherry Adkins— MUNCIE, IN—Growing up in the countryside of Indiana, surrounded by fields, forests and wildlife instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature. Often, I would have a front row seat to the deer that wander into the back yard, a view of the many birds that would gather at the bird feeders, and the families of raccoons that would climb up the apple trees for a snack. As an adult, I have a sense of peace and a strong connection to God being in nature. I often admired the natural details and textures in…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—“You Can’t Put Solar Anywhere You Want” will be the topic of a League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County public meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Kennedy Branch Library in Muncie. The program is free. “The following question is often raised at governmental meetings in connection with solar, ‘Why can’t we put solar on brownfields, on the rooftops of government buildings or between and along highways?’,” said Sarah Williams, chairwoman of the League’s Natural Resources Committee. “One of the reasons it’s not economically feasible is that Indiana does not have a community…