By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation—
MUNCIE, IN — Over the past decade, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) has undergone one of the most significant periods of transformation in the district’s history. What began with difficult, but necessary decisions around consolidation and financial stabilization have evolved into an unprecedented collaboration that is positioning the district as a national model.
In 2013, district leaders made the difficult decision to consolidate the city’s two high schools, a major transition intended to help address financial and enrollment challenges that had developed over many years. The years that followed brought additional change, including governance restructuring, a leadership partnership with Ball State University, and significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the midst of challenges and many changes, however, the district’s teachers, parents, administrators, board, and community members remained steadfast in their determination to change the fate of the district. Now, a decade on, the district has made tremendous progress, and all signs point to a brighter future ahead.
Today, MCS has stabilized enrollment, significantly improved staff retention, strengthened academics, expanded extracurricular opportunities, upgraded facilities, and built renewed community pride. The district has also launched specialized programs and initiatives designed to attract new students and families while preparing young people for future educational and career pathways.
Ball Brothers Foundation—one of the state’s oldest private foundations—has been proud to support the district throughout this journey, awarding $5 million in funding to the district since 2013. Support has focused on helping create opportunities for innovation, strengthening student experiences, expanding extracurricular and athletic offerings, and supporting initiatives designed to enhance the district’s long-term competitiveness and attractiveness to families. The Foundation’s relationship with MCS stretches back many years prior and reflects BBF’s long-standing belief that strong public schools are essential to the future of Muncie and East Central Indiana.
With school funding constraints, continued challenges around learning loss resulting from the pandemic, increasing student needs, evolving graduation requirements, and rapidly changing workforce expectations, philanthropic support from foundations and other donors is helping districts like MCS remain nimble and responsive. This type of philanthropic support creates room for experimentation, pilot programs, strategic partnerships, and new ideas that may otherwise be difficult to pursue.
Public schools play a critical role in helping communities attract and retain families and businesses, develop talent, strengthen neighborhoods, and expand opportunity for future generations. As communities across Indiana grapple with many of the same challenges, MCS offers an encouraging example of how long-term commitment, strong partnerships, and a willingness to embrace change can help a district move from stabilization to transformation.
Ball Brothers Foundation-MCS Grant Highlights:
Building Camp Adventure into a Year-Round Learning Hub
Foundation funding has helped expand outdoor learning opportunities at Camp Adventure while supporting the creation of a Montessori-inspired year-round “Forest Academy” for preK, kindergarten, and first grade, creating unique hands-on learning experiences that connect students with nature, exploration, and discovery.
Supporting Professional Development for Teachers
BBF support has helped MCS to develop an annual Academic Innovation Summit, providing hundreds of educators from across the district with high-quality professional development and nationally recognized speakers focused on improving student learning and achievement.
Creating Popular Dual Language Program
MCS’ dual language program now extends from kindergarten through high school, offering students the opportunity to become conversant in Spanish beginning at age 5. This program began with seed funding from BBF and helps distinguish the district through a unique educational offering that attracts families, gives students a distinct language learning advantage, and offers an outstanding opportunity to English language learners as well.
Expanding College and Career Readiness Opportunities
In the midst of an overhaul to the state’s graduation requirements, funding from BBF and other local foundations has helped to strengthen college and career offerings across the district through new access to career assessments, individualized advising, work-based learning experiences, internships, and partnerships that better connect students to future educational and workforce opportunities.
Supporting Music, Arts, and Student Activities
Over the past decade, support has helped the district to purchase new athletic equipment, instruments, uniforms, and other resources that expand opportunities for students to participate in music, arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities that contribute to a well-rounded educational experience. Emerging data indicates that participation in extracurricular activities is boosting attendance and academic performance at the high school level. Funding is also helping to build sports opportunities at the elementary school level, building a stronger pipeline for athletic programs.
Transforming the Muncie Fieldhouse Experience
Foundation funding has helped to enhance the historic Muncie Fieldhouse through facility improvements, updated equipment, and new branding that is strengthening the student-athlete experience while preserving an important community asset.
Strengthening Career and Technical Education
Foundation funding has helped expand opportunities at the Muncie Area Career Center, supporting career pathways, industry partnerships, certifications, and hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for both college and careers. Among career programs, BBF support helped MCS develop and expand opportunities for students interested in careers in education, creating pathways that allow aspiring teachers to gain classroom experience, earn college credit, and explore teaching as a profession.
Launching Muncie Central’s Freshman Academy
Support from local foundations, including BBF, has helped Muncie Central launch its Freshman Academy, creating a more intentional transition into high school while preparing students for Indiana’s new graduation requirements through redesigned learning spaces, staff training, and enhanced student support.
Piloting Innovative Classroom Technology
BBF support has helped MCS introduce new interactive classroom technology that enhances student engagement, expands instructional flexibility, and ultimately informs broader technology investments across the district. Foundation funding is also helping schools redesign classrooms with flexible seating and collaborative learning environments.
About Ball Brothers Foundation
Ball Brothers Foundation is one of the state’s oldest and largest family foundations. Annually, the foundation pays out more than $8 million in grants to support arts and culture, community vitality, education, environment, health and public safety, and human services. The Muncie-based private foundation gives priority to projects and programs that improve the quality of life in the foundation’s home city, county, and state. In 2026, Ball Brothers Foundation is celebrating its 100th anniversary, making it one of the oldest and largest family foundations in the state of Indiana.
About Muncie Community Schools
Serving the local community since 1855, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) educates more than 5,000 students at six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school while also managing several other educational facilities. Through its unique partnership with Ball State University, MCS strives to maximize each student’s potential so he or she can be a positive, productive member of society.
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