Non-Profit

By: Bryan Ayars, CEO, Open Door Health Services— Muncie, IN—We’ve heard it said many times during crises, and we’ve heard it during the COVID-19 pandemic: Look for the helpers. Our community has rallied to support our vulnerable populations over the last several weeks—and the truth is, we’re all vulnerable in one way or another during COVID. In the past month, thirty percent of us have postponed healthcare, and more than 30 million Americans have applied for unemployment benefits after losing a job. The…

By: Joanna Robertson— Muncie, IN—With schools closed nationwide due to COVID-19 stay-at-home-orders, supporting students and their families with the basic tools for learning has become critical. The Back To School Teachers Store, a non-profit providing free essential learning tools and supplies to teachers, students and families in Delaware County, has provided 5,000 students with remote learning supplies since mid-March. “Pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers and books are the top requested items from teachers year after year,” said Stacy Wheeler, executive director…

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN—The Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MACC) board is pleased to announce the appointment of its new executive director, Erin Williams. Williams, who has worked at the MACC for two years as the PlaySpace Residency Coordinator, replaces Braydee Euliss, who left MACC at the beginning of 2020. “As the first person to manage [PlySpace], Erin was instrumental in shaping it and connecting the visiting artists to the Muncie community,” said Betty Brewer, MACC board immediate past…

By: Eileen Oaks— Muncie, IN— The Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity is actively seeking qualified partner families who are interested in working with Habitat for Humanity to purchase a home. Qualified homebuyers help build their houses by putting in sweat equity hours, and then, purchase their house with a no-profit, no-interest mortgage. You may qualify if your current housing is inadequate or too expensive, or if you are unable to obtain a conventional mortgage. All partner participants must have the ability to pay the Habitat mortgage, which includes proof of steady income within the guidelines…

By: Ryan Remington— Muncie, IN—Through a joint effort, Bridges Community Services will open an emergency, isolation quarantine facility for all individuals experiencing homelessness who have tested positive or are presumed positive, for COVID-19 on May 5th, 2020. Partners in this project include Bridges Community Services, Inc., Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Muncie Community Development Office, the City of Muncie, the Delaware County Health Department, Delaware County Emergency Management, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, Heartland Ambulance Services, Open Door Health…

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN—As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise in East Central Indiana, Ball Brothers Foundation has awarded a $75,000 grant to the IU Health Foundation. The grant will support the needs of hospital employees in Delaware, Jay and Blackford Counties who are working around the clock to fight COVID-19.  More specifically, the funding will be used to provide team members in the East Central Indiana region with meals, including during night shifts when cafeterias and…

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, IN— The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded an additional $13,000 to eight non-profit organizations to support response efforts to the COVID-19 crisis.  Community Foundation staff continue to connect with and listen to the plans, challenges, and needs of a variety of vital community organizations across Delaware County. Decisions for this third round of response funding were made to come along side these vital community organizations with identified immediate needs related…

By: Heather Williams & Megan Orbin, Muncie Action Plan— Muncie, IN—Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb enacted a “stay at home” order on March 25th, 2020 and that presented neighborhood associations with difficult questions. While most monthly meetings for March had already been cancelled or postponed due to social distancing concerns, how can associations help their residents if physical meetings cannot happen? What is the best way to keep spirits high without gathering? Facebook and NextDoor have become information hubs and leading…