GEORGE AND FRANCES BALL FOUNDATION PROACTIVE GRANTMAKING FOCUS

what we fund

  • EDUCATION AND YOUTH
  • CIVIC ENHANCEMENT
  • NATURE AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
  • WRAP-AROUND SERVICES
  • ARTS AND CULTURE
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PICTURED: CAMP ADVENTURE
The Foundation has been a constant partner to education since its inception in 1937, following the legacy of George Ball, a local champion for education. Today, the Foundation partners with organizations who are moving the needle forward in targeted markers from Cradle to Career. The Foundation believes that education that enriches lives can put individuals and families on the road to economic freedom. The Foundation's goal is for 60% of people in Muncie and Delaware County to have postsecondary education, including high-quality certificates and training, associate's degrees and higher. Visit the Cradle to Career Data Center to learn more about this work community-wide.
PICTURED: CARDINAL GREENWAYS
Muncie and Delaware County are rich in partners who work to engage the community and enhance civic life. The Foundation believes that these partners truly build the quality of life for residents in East Central Indiana, and have unique offerings that bring visitors and attract commerce to this area each year. The Foundation is eager to partner with organizations who truly embody the statement: "Making East Central Indiana the place where people choose to live, work, and play."
PICTURED: RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY
Conserving natural resources and preserving the heritage of communities has always been a valued investment at the Foundation. Frances Ball and her daughter, Elisabeth, were avid gardeners and fascinated with botany and nature. George was a known collector, and he had acquired the signatures of each the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. In the family's early philanthropy, they even made a gift to help restore the home of George Washington's mother. Preservation efforts continue to be a commitment of the Foundation today.
PICTURED: INSIDE OUT FRESH DIRECTIONS HOT MEALS FOR KIDS
The Foundation prioritizes projects and organizations that focus on the root cause of an issue rather than symptoms. Yet, the Foundation recognizes that in order to address the root cause, at times, the symptoms must also be temporarily addressed. The most successful projects, the Foundation has experienced, involve organizations working in collaboration to proactively address root causes and offer an extra lift in the process. For this reason, the Foundation gives priority to capacity-building and collaborative requests.

PICTURED: MUNCIE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Frances Ball was a champion for the arts in East Central Indiana and beyond. She was instrumental in the Foundation's early support of arts and culture, and the Foundation follows her legacy today. The Foundation continues to support artistic and cultural expression through channels such as music, fine art, theater, and more.  The Foundation values organizations who shape the community's arts and cultural scene, boosting the quality of place for East Central Indiana.
YEARS IN OPERATION

$128,588,762

IN GRANTS DISTRIBUTED
PARTNERS SINCE 1937