Search Results for Innovation connector

Celebrating Entrepreneurs in Muncie, Indiana

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, Ind.—For the remainder of 2022, the Innovation Connector will be focusing its outreach efforts on “Celebrating Entrepreneurs.”  What an exciting concept, “celebrating entrepreneurs!”  While it seems fitting to celebrate entrepreneurs, what are we celebrating? Heck, most of us have trouble saying “entrepreneur,” and more cannot spell it. Let’s unpack this unique word, “entrepreneur,” and discover why it may be one of the most essential words for our community. The word “entrepreneur” was coined by economic philosopher Jean-Baptiste Say; the word comes from French, “entrendre,” where it means “undertaker”—i.e., one…

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Muncie Sports Commission Announces 2022 Board Members & Officers

By Richard Crist— MUNCIE, Ind. – The Muncie Sports Commission today announced the Board of Directors and Officers for 2022 who will support the nonprofit’s work to increase economic vitality, improve quality of life, promote healthy lifestyles and brand Delaware County as a great sports community. Individuals joining the board in 2022 include: Tim Eakins, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for TK Constructors Brad Edmondson, EC Region Director of Philanthropy for the IU Health Foundation Jason Harrington, CEO for Boyce Systems Laura Hill, Vice President of Investments for Advocate Aurora Health Dan Wolfert, Vice President of Development & Marketing for Hillcroft…


Central, Burris Players Recognized for ‘Character and Community Impact’ Awards

By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, Ind.—Four student athletes were recognized last weekend for outstanding sportsmanship and community mindedness at the inaugural City of Champions Tournament at the Muncie Fieldhouse. Each of the four schools participating in the event nominated student athletes for the prestigious Ron Bonham and Bud Brown awards. Central High School’s Shoka Griffin II, who already holds the school’s all-time football rushing record, was recognized with the Ron Bonham Community Impact award, which recognizes outstanding work on the team but also outreach in the community. Bonham, who played from 1958 through 1960, is, arguably, considered Central’s greatest player. Bonham went…


Muncie Central, Burris to Host Inaugural City of Champions Basketball Invitational

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind.— Muncie’s two high schools, Muncie Central High School and Burris Laboratory School, have teamed up to host a one-day basketball invitational tournament on Saturday, Jan. 29 at the historic Muncie Fieldhouse. The inaugural City of Champions tournament, presented by Pizza King, will feature the boys’ basketball teams from Muncie Central, Burris, South Bend Adams and Greenfield Central. The tournament will kick off at 10 a.m. with a matchup between Muncie Central and Burris for the “City Championship.” South Bend Adams and Greenfield Central will follow, with tip-off around noon. The tournament’s consolation game will take…


Ball Brothers Foundation Awards Over $6.5 Million in Second Round of 2021 Grants

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, INDIANA — Ball Brothers Foundation, one of Indiana’s oldest and largest family foundations, approved over $6.5 million in its second round of funding for 2021. The grants support a variety of efforts, from bolstering local healthcare organizations to supporting schools in the wake of the pandemic. As part of the healthcare support, Ball Brothers Foundation awarded six grants of $40,000 each to partners in Optimus Primary, a strategic, collaborative partnership to strengthen the pipeline of medical professionals training in Muncie. The grants were awarded to: Ivy Tech Foundation for the continuation of its new sonography certificate program Ball State University for expanded…


City of Muncie Awards $2 Million To Local Non-Profits Through American Rescue Plan Grants

By Jeff Robinson, President of Muncie City Council, District 2— MUNCIE, Ind.—Seventy-four non-profits applied for grant dollars earmarked to help those organizations and their clients who were hardest hit by COVID-19. In total, $2 million of the City of Muncie’s American Recovery Plan funding of $31.7 million will be awarded to help the non-profit sector and the people they serve. District 2 Councilman and City Council President Jeff Robinson and Heart of Indiana United Way’s President & CEO, Jenni Marsh recruited a diverse committee for the ARP Non-Profit Awards Committee. There were representatives of the LGBTQ+ and Black Indigenous People…


ecoREHAB’s Heather Williams Recognized With 2021 Fisher Governance Award

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball Brothers Foundation presented its annual Fisher Governance Award this year to Heather Williams, former board president of ecoREHAB. Williams was recognized with the award at Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s 127th Annual Meeting Celebration on Oct. 28. The John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award annually honors a non-profit board member in Delaware County for exemplary leadership, integrity, responsibility, and accountability. “Heather Williams’s leadership of ecoREHAB does not follow the traditional constructs of board responsibilities,” Jason Haney, executive director of ecoREHAB, wrote in Williams’s nomination. “She has defined her role to fit…


‘Candidates of the Future’ Returns November 13th, 2021

Is running for office and political activism right for you?  By Aimee Robertson-West— MUNCIE, Ind.—Candidates of the Future forum returns for a third iteration on Saturday, November 13th at the Innovation Connector. Participation is free and ideal for anyone who is interested in running for political office someday, wants to become active in their party, or wants to learn how to engage in local political or policy activism efforts. Registration is required and space is limited so please register today. Candidates of the Future began in 2017 as a civic engagement coalition and steering committee of three individuals, Dr. Chip…


Take your Business Idea from the Majors to the Minors During the 8th Annual ‘BIG Idea Pitch Competition’

By Carter Anderson— MUNCIE, Ind.—Got a business idea? The BIG Idea Pitch Competition gives you the chance to prove the potential of your business idea, meet others who can help you succeed, and possibly win a cash prize! This competition will be held at the Innovation Connector on November 8th, 2021 at 6 pm EST and will be live-streamed on the Innovation Connector Facebook page. Those interested in this opportunity should register by 12 PM EST on October 26th to secure their spot in the competition. The Innovation Connector will host two in-person training camps prior to the finals night on…


11 Delaware County Non-Profits Receive $136k in Grant Funding

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded $136,400 to 11 non-profit organizations during the third Quarterly Competitive Grant cycle of 2021. The Community Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County for this generation and generations to come. Quarterly Competitive Grants fund projects for which there is a demonstrable community benefit in one of the following areas of interest: arts and culture, human services, economic development, education, and community betterment. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. is a publicly supported philanthropic institution governed by…