HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS THE JOHN AND MARCIA KELLY DONOR STORY
T
he saying “home is where the heart is,” sums up why Muncie is an ideal place for John and Marcia Kelly. John and Marcia have been committed to giving back to the community close to their hearts and the one they call home. John was born and raised in Muncie and earned his degrees from Ball State University. Marcia came to Muncie from Dayton, Ohio to attend Ball State and never left. The Kellys have a continuing interest and commitment to contributing to the Muncie community, particularly when it comes to education.
John and Marcia Kelly
Education is a passion for John and Marcia individually and as a couple. John spent his 39 years as an educator in Delaware County in both teaching and administration. Although not technically a teacher, Marcia guided and advised students in a variety of roles in Student Services during her 30-year career at Ball State.
We trust the Foundation to know where support from a fund like ours is needed.
Because of their desire to support the community that supported them in many ways over the years, the Kellys established the John C. Kelly and Marcia Ressler Kelly Fund. This unrestricted fund through The Community Foundation has provided
financial assistance to a variety of programs and organizations including Project Leadership (College and Career Readiness Initiative), College Mentors for Kids, and the Youth Symphony Orchestra. “Education, formal or otherwise, opens doors, provides more paths to follow, and in many cases encourages a desire for more learning,” said John. The Kellys created their fund with the hope of supporting, promoting, and providing more educational opportunities to young people in the Muncie area. John was able to pursue higher education because of a generous scholarship available to Delaware County students. Because of what was given to him, giving to others pursuing education at any age and in any form is near to John’s heart, and Marcia’s, too. In her years at the university, Marcia experienced firsthand the impact financial support can have on students. The Kellys designated this fund to be unrestricted because they know the Foundation is keenly aware of needs, programs, projects, and services in the community that need financial support. “We trust the Foundation to know where support from a fund like ours is most needed at any particular time,” said John. “Muncie has generously given us much over the years and in many different ways. It even gave us each other,” said Marcia. “We feel fortunate The Community Foundation can help us realize our goals of giving back to our community in meaningful and impactful ways through our unrestricted fund.” 2021
