George and Frances Ball Foundation
/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: This is an accessible funder for the East Central Indiana area. Education “from cradle to career” is its largest funding area. Applications are accepted via the foundation’s website.
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.
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. It’s civic enhancement initiative focuses on improving quality of life and providing recreation and cultural experiences for residents. In arts and culture, the foundation funds organizations that bring performing and visual arts to its target area of East Central Indiana. Similarly, the preservation program aims to maintain the area’s cultural heritage and natural resources for current and future residents. Ball’s wrap around services funding supports organizations that hep individuals and families in need of temporary financial or material assistance.
Grants range anywhere between about $5,000 and $1 million, but many grants stay between $50,000 and $100,000. Grantmaking focuses on East Central Indiana, and prioritizes the city of Muncie and Delaware County. Past local grantees include Ball State University, Ivy Tech Community College, Muncie By5, the Muncie Civic Theatre, the Red-Tail Land Conservancy and Second Harvest Food Bank. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. The funder uses an online grant application and sets application deadlines in February, April, August and November. 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 meeting and discuss an idea before submitting an application. Direct general questions to the staff at 765-741-5500 or via online form.
PEOPLE:
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