Ball Brothers Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Ball Brothers Foundation supports arts, culture, humanities, education, environment, health, human services and public society benefit in East Central Indiana.
IP TAKE: This is an accessible Indiana-specific funder that offers multiple nonprofit grant opportunities and a straightforward online application process.
PROFILE: Established in 1926, the Ball Brothers Foundation (BBF) is a family foundation based in Muncie, Indiana. Five brothers established this foundation to pursue their family’s philanthropy. George Ball handled financial affairs for Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company, William Ball worked in sales for the company and Frank Ball served as the company’s president. Another brother, Lucius Ball, was a company stockholder and worked in the medical profession, while Edmund Ball was vice president and directed daily operations for the family company. The foundation is “dedicated to the stewardship legacy of the Ball brothers and to the pursuit of improving the quality of life in Muncie, Delaware County, East Central Indiana and Indiana through philanthropy and leadership.” BBF funds local efforts for arts, culture, humanities, education, environment, health, human services and public society.
The Ball Brothers Foundation has more specific interests and initiatives that it pursues within those six broad subject areas. These include downtown stabilization and renewal, early childhood education, emergency management, environmental recreation and preservation and workforce development. BBF provides general grants twice per year and rapid grants for amounts up to $5,000. Its special awards include the Excellence in Teaching Award for exceptional teachers and the John and Janice Fisher Governance Award for nonprofit board members. Additionally, BBF provides funding for capacity-building initiatives, innovative approaches, specific programs and projects, general operating support and seed money.
Grants range between about $5,000 and $100,000. Grantmaking focuses on East Central Indiana, especially Muncie and the Delaware County area. Other counties of interest in Indiana are Blackford County, Grant County, Henry county, Jay County, Madison County and Randolph County. Past local grantees include the Conner Prairie Museum, Muncie Arts and Culture Council and College Mentors for Kids. The foundation also gave $6 million to local Muncie nonprofits to aid in COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts. Learn more about this funder’s local giving on the grants awarded page of the funder’s website.
This foundation accepts unsolicited pre-applications from nonprofits for grants, however it requires this initial step before considering a full proposal. There are two general grant periods per year, with preliminary application due on February 15 and July 15. BFF accepts rapid grant proposals between February 1 and November 30. Direct general questions to the staff at info@ballfdn.org or 765-741-5500.
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