OVERVIEW: The George and Frances Ball Foundation supports education and youth, civic enhancement, arts and culture, nature and historic preservation and wrap-around services in Indiana.
IP TAKE: The George and Frances Ball Foundation is part of East Central Indiana’s cultural heritage and has been supporting the region for almost a century. It makes grants in several focus areas, education “from cradle to career” is its largest funding area. This is an accessible funder with a straightforward application process, just make sure to schedule a pre-grant meeting with foundation staff before applying.
PROFILE: Established in 1937, the George and Frances Ball Foundation is a family foundation based in Muncie, Indiana. George Ball was part of the family that founded the Ball Glassmaking Company, which was famous for its canning jars. He later became a successful financier and investor. The founders were well known locally for their philanthropy, being champions of education, collecting rare children’s literature and creating the Ball Jar Blue Book. The founding couple’s daughter, Elisabeth Ball, also contributed significantly to the foundation’s endowment. The foundation invests “in the prosperity of children, families and community.” Its funding areas are education and youth, civic enhancement, arts and culture, nature and historic preservation and wrap around services for individuals and families who are experiencing financial difficulty.
Grants for K-12 and Higher Education
The George and Frances Ball Foundation’s Education and Youth funding accounts for more than half of the of the foundation’s grantmaking. The program takes a “Cradle to Career” approach, beginning with early childhood services and working through to post-secondary education.
Ball State University and Ivy Tech have each received millions from the foundation, but the same is not true for primary and secondary education organizations, who see much less support. K-12 education grantees include Muncie Community Schools, Beneficence Family Scholars, Delaware Community School Corporation, Daleville Community Schools, Cowan Community Schools, Classroom Connections of East Central Indiana, Liberty Perry School Corporation, Yorktown Community Schools, and United Negro College Fund.
Grants for Community Development
Balls Civic Enhancement initiative focuses on improving quality of life and providing recreation and cultural experiences for residents. Its Wrap Around Services funding supports human services organizations that hep individuals and families in need of temporary financial or material assistance.
Past community development and human services grantees include Sustainable Muncie, Bridges Community Services, Ross Community Center, Youth Opportunity Center, Inside Out Community Development Corporation, Greater Muncie Indiana Habitat for Humanity, Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, and Cardinal Greenway for community beautification.
Grants for Arts and Culture
In Arts and Culture, the foundation funds organizations that bring performing and visual arts to its target area of East Central Indiana. Music and theater groups, as well as cultural heritage organizations have seen significant support. Organizations in this area that have received support include America’s Hometown Band, Muncie Civic Theatre, Youth Symphony Orchestra of East Central Indiana, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Muncie Arts and Culture Council, Masterworks Chorale, Muncie Children’s Museum, and Music For All.
Grants for Environment
Similarly, the Nature and Historic Preservation program aims to maintain the area’s natural resources through advocacy and conservation for current and future residents. The foundation’s largest grants in this area have gone to Minnetrista Cultural Foundation to support its gardens and Nature Area. Minnetrista has received millions annually over the years. Other grantees include Ross Community Center, The Nature Conservancy in Indiana, and Red-Tail Land Conservancy.
Important Grant Details
Grants range anywhere between about $5,000 and $1 million, but many grants stay between $50,000 and $100,000. The foundation gave away over $5 million in grants in a recent year and held more than $115 million in assets.
Grantmaking focuses on East Central Indiana and prioritizes the city of Muncie and Delaware County.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits.
The funder uses an online grant application for its Quarterly Competitive Grants.
Applicants can expect to receive a decision within six to eight weeks after submission.
The foundation encourages nonprofits to contact the program staff to schedule a pre-grant meeting and discuss an idea before submitting an application.
Application guidelines are here.
Direct general questions to the staff at 765-741-5500 or via online form.
PEOPLE:
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