Non-Profit

A perspective piece by Jud Fisher—  MUNCIE, IN—Change doesn’t happen overnight. Change takes time and determination from an entire community. This belief is alive and well in Muncie. The positive changes we’ve witnessed over the past century are due to the collective effort of countless dedicated people who were passionate about improving the place they called home. Through world wars, pandemics, economic depression, and the ups-and-downs common to many manufacturing-oriented Midwest cities, Muncie has never given up hope for a brighter future. At Ball Brothers Foundation, we are laser-focused on localized grantmaking in our hometown. Our recently updated strategic plan…

By Jenna Bertsch— MUNCIE, IN—Every other month, southside business and nonprofit leaders gather at Rosebud Coffee House to discuss the community, learn about resources, and connect about operating in Muncie. The 8twelve Coalition started these 7 a.m. gatherings — fueled by coffee and hearty breakfast options — to connect businesses with each other and the city they serve. 8twelve Director Jena Ashby said, “knowing people and being known” is essential to building community. These meetings, she added, create synergy among the southside’s anchor businesses and nonprofits. “Our local businesses are also neighbors, and alongside residents, their vision and feedback are…

By Stacey Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—Spending any amount of time with the staff and volunteers at ARF Muncie makes one thing clear: these folks truly care about animals. Executive director, Doug White, has five of his own dogs at home and knows those housed at the local non-profit by name. General manager, Nikki Kirby, is the same. Plus, she has a total of nine pets: six dogs and three cats. This year, ARF is celebrating its 25th year as being a safe place for animals in the community. The organization was founded in 1998 by Terri Panszi, who remains a board…

By Rick Zeigler— MUNCIE, IN—Community Enhancement Projects (CEP) and the City of Muncie are pleased to announce a public lighting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the “Rainbow Garden” lights at Canan Commons in Downtown Muncie. The ceremony will take place as part of May’s First Thursday celebration on May 4, 2023 at 8 PM at Canan Commons, 500 S. Walnut. Brief remarks will be made by Mayor Daniel Ridenour and representatives of CEP. The “Rainbow Garden” is a light installation designed to contribute a significant addition to the aesthetic landscape of Muncie’s downtown area while also providing necessary pathway…

By Lindsay Sankey, Co-Alliance Cooperative— MUNCIE, IN—Land O’Lakes, Inc. donated nearly 40,000 pounds of LAND O LAKES® Macaroni & Cheese to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana through the Land O’Lakes First Run Program.  The First Run Program has donated more than 6.7 million pounds of product since it was established in 2010. The program is committed to donating truckloads of fresh product year-round, made specifically for food banks to help alleviate hunger across the United States.  “As a national, farmer-owned cooperative, Land O’Lakes is committed to helping the growing number of people who struggle to put food…

By Kelley V. Phillips, Communications & Outreach Manager, RTLC— MUNCIE, IN – Red-tail Land Conservancy invites the community to enjoy one of east central Indiana’s best displays of spring wildflowers at their Wildflower Celebration on Sunday, May 7 from 1pm-4pm at Phyllis and Frank Yuhas Woods near Farmland, IN. Headquartered in Muncie, Red-tail Land Conservancy manages nature preserves across the region. One of which is Phyllis and Frank Yuhas Woods, a pristine forest that has remained undeveloped for 200 years and named after Ball State University professors Phyllis and Frank Yuhas. This forested nature preserve is closed to the public…

By Stacey Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—Designed to give teens their first employment experiences as well as life skills to benefit them throughout college and beyond, TeenWorks is a local non-profit that is making a big impact by empowering teens to achieve excellence in community, college and career. TeamWork’s Director of Eastern Indiana Kari Wissel said this summer the organization will employ more than 100 students in the Muncie area for six weeks. Each student works at a non-profit agency four days a week, while one day a week is dedicated to professional development. During these workshops students focus on financial literacy,…