By Dr. Jeff Bird—
MUNCIE, IN—Full disclosure here…I am privileged to serve as one of the community members on the Ball Brothers Foundation Board of Directors. Being on the board is one of my favorite things to do in service to our community, and is one in which I take great pride. The Ball Brothers Foundation (BBF) is a family foundation originating in 1926 with gifts from the Ball Family at the time of the passing of Edmond B. Ball, one of the original five Ball brothers. Over decades other members of the family left money and property to the foundation that now makes up the foundation’s assets.
The mission of BBF has stayed consistent over the past century, rooted in improving the quality of life in Muncie, Delaware County and East Central Indiana. The brothers and family lived extremely philanthropic lives and the work of the foundation perpetuates that commitment to the community they loved and supported so generously.
BBF pays a significant role in supporting its mission in education, healthcare, civic organizations, units of government, the environment, and not-for-profits. 95% of all grant dollars awarded stay in Muncie and Delaware County. Grants are awarded twice yearly through a competitive process and most grants range between $10,000-$100,000 with a total annual giving of nearly $9 million annually.
Ball Brothers Foundation acts both responsively and proactively. As an example, BBF quickly responded to support Muncie Community Schools during it transformation over the past decade to help the district with its “margins of excellence,” strengthening academics and creating niche programs to attract students, and supporting professional development for district teachers. A proactive example was shown by efforts to strengthen our local healthcare workforce pipeline by convening multiple partners, identifying opportunities, and supporting innovative solutions, which I witnessed firsthand as President of IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.
Reaching 100 years in 2026 is an opportunity to celebrate the vision and generosity of previous generations of the Ball family while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities that will shape our next century.
This year is ultimately a celebration of community – the partners, grantees, educators, healthcare workers, civic leaders and residents who continue to move East Central Indiana forward.
“For 100 years Ball Brothers foundation has sought to support the city, region and state that the Ball family s chose to call home,” said Jud Fisher, President and CEO of Ball Brothers Foundation. “Over time, that work has grown far beyond what those early board members likely could have imagined. Today, Ball Brothers Foundation is one of Indiana’s oldest and largest private family foundations. But what has always mattered most is not the size of the foundation, but the relationships built behind the work.”
A lifelong Muncie resident and retired from a 40 year career as a family doctor and President of Ball Memorial Hospital, Jeff Bird hopes to highlight and inspire people who are doing amazing work in Muncie and Delaware County.
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