Non-Profit

 By Carly Acree King Relationship & Resource Director— MUNCIE, IN – Nonprofit Support Network is celebrating nonprofit workers and volunteers and the kick-off to summer with the Nonprofit Summer Social. The event will take place on Thursday, June 1, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm on the patio of The Fickle Peach, located at 117 E. Charles Street in downtown Muncie. This new event is designed to bring together individuals currently working or volunteering at nonprofit organizations located in or serving Muncie-Delaware County. This casual gathering also marks the first anniversary of Nonprofit Support Network’s launch, and the organization looks forward to…

By Kim Williams—  DELAWARE COUNTY, IN – Heart of Indiana United Way (HIUW) in partnership with local Community Foundations serving Delaware, Henry, Madison, South Madison and Randolph counties announces the creation and launch of a new Equity Advancement Fund. The new mini-grants program is designed to help strengthen and advance equity locally. “In looking at the organizations we have historically funded, we found a lack of grant applications from programs led by or serving the underrepresented and under-resourced in our community. These are programs working on the front lines to serve our minority communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, those with disabilities, non-English…

By Kim Williams— Delaware County, IN – Heart of Indiana United Way announces the winners of its 2023 Celebration Awards. The organization’s annual awards event highlights and thanks businesses and individuals who helped make a big impact over the past year through donations, volunteerism, advocacy, and partnerships. This year’s 11 award winners were announced through a short video released on May 4 and can be viewed on the Heart of Indiana United Way’s Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages. “We wanted to have fun and try something different with this year’s awards. We also wanted to showcase several amazing donors and…

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…