Non-Profit

By Juli Metzger—  MUNCIE, IN—Join Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) for an expert analysis of the latest child-focused data from their 2023 Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book on Wednesday, March 29 during IYI’s annual Muncie State of the Child presentation. This year, the event is followed by a special, two-hour grant clinic for youth serving organizations applying for the $45 million Lilly Endowment initiative, Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana (SYPI). Registration for each event is required. Indiana ranks 28th in the country in child well-being measurements, according to Annie E. Casey Foundation’s national Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book. IYI is the…

By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, IN—International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. The day has occurred for well over a century, with the first​ ​IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Prior to this the​ Socialist Party of America, United Kingdom’s Suffragists and Suffragettes, and further groups campaigned for women’s equality. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. Gender-related conversations and activity are certainly on the rise. Over the…

By K. Aleisha Fetters— MUNCIE, IN—Grief is a hard journey at any stage of life. But it’s even harder — and more complicated — to navigate as a kid or teen.  Unfortunately, estimates show that one in five youth lose a loved one or friend before their 18th birthday. And 80% say it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever faced.  And the life-changing event becomes a major SHIFT in their world. To help support these youth, about a dozen community volunteers — including mental health counselors, teachers, and mission-driven church members — have come together to create Muncie SHIFT, a free…

Registration for the 2023 Emergence Program is Now Open By Arrick Garringer— MUNCIE, IN –  Shafer Leadership Academy (SLA), a local not-for-profit organization that provides inclusive leadership development so that people, organizations, and communities reach their full potential, is offering the 21st session of its signature leadership program. The program will run from April 4 to May 23, 2023. Emergence: Personal Foundations of Effective Leadership is SLA’s core leadership program. It is an eight-week highly interactive and engaging training opportunity ideal for emerging or experienced leaders seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities. At the end of the program, participants can…

By Orchestra Indiana— MUNCIE, IN-Orchestra Indiana is excited to announce that Katie Morgan Perez has been named Executive Director. Perez joined Orchestra Indiana as the Director of Operations in October of 2022, and previously served as the Executive Director of the Community School of the Arts in Marion for eight years. Perez steps into the role following the recent resignation of Scott Watkins.  “In the past few months I have had the pleasure to work alongside an incredible staff and production team dedicated to bringing the highest quality of orchestra music to the East Central Indiana region, and I look…

By Susan Fisher, Public Relations Supervisor, Muncie Public Library— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Public Library (MPL) is introducing two new program series and both partner with LifeStream Services, Inc. to deliver helpful and educational benefits to senior citizens in the community. “More to Know” is a new program series at Kennedy Library. Every Monday at 10am, the program will feature either a guest speaker on topics such as arts and culture, history, current events, health and wellness, and other topics or will feature “Puzzle Hour” with puzzles and game activities. LifeStream will provide healthy refreshments at the events and resource information about…

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $974,435 in Community Grants this week. Beginning in 2023, The Community Foundation shifted to a Community Grants program. Nonprofit organizations have a wide-open door for applications instead of separate applications for multiple grants programs through the Foundation. Organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to connect with Foundation staff. This quarter, The Community Foundation had 24 organizations reach out with initial requests for funding. The flexibility of Community Grants allows the Foundation’s Program and Nonprofit Relations team to develop a deeper understanding of the…

By Nick Werner— MUNCIE, IN—Lent is here, and the Soup Kitchen of Muncie is offering a guilt-free alternative to the tradition of abstaining from something you love for the next 40 days. Instead of giving something up, the Soup Kitchen of Muncie is asking you to give something away during its 40 Days of Giving Food Drive, Feb. 22 to April 6. People can participate in the daily food drive as an individual or as a group, and you can give food or money to the Soup Kitchen of Muncie (SKOM), according to executive director Loretta Parsons. Generosity and sacrifice…