Legacy Newsletter, April 2024

Let’s Chat

Did you make it to the Arts and Culture Matters Public Forum? In March, The Community Foundation hosted national consultant Artspace for a threeday visit to explore our creative spaces, learn about our creative sector, and facilitate conversations related to arts and culture. More than 200 residents showed up for the public forum and even more engaged with Artspace during their visit. Later this year, we’ll share a Creative Space Action Plan that includes shortand long-term strategies to strengthen the arts.

In this issue of Legacy, you’ll read about an investment that encourages community engagement through the arts by The Community Foundation. You’ll also meet a donor and volunteer who is committed to strengthening the community she has made her home. Every day, I’m encouraged by caring and engaged community members, great ideas, and forward momentum in our community. What’s encouraging you?

Marcy Minton President & CEO

Village Project Boosts Arts in Delaware County

“The significant investment in Ball State University’s new performing arts center marks a major milestone for our university and the entire Muncie community because the project is a catalyst for revitalization,” said Casey Stanley, Vice Chair of the Board of The Community Foundation. “Having grown up in Muncie near campus, I fondly remember The Village, where the boundaries between university and city blur – and the energy of Ball State’s students connect with our local community.”

In 2023, Ball State University approved and announced a development agreement for a revitalization plan for

Muncie Memory Spiral, Heekin Park

Rendering of the performing arts center and hotel planned for the Village revitalization project.

The Village, the commercial district located immediately adjacent to campus. The plan aims to create a multigenerational district driven by arts and culture, entertainment, and innovation. In October 2023, the University announced Our Call to Beneficence, a $350 million campaign focused on three pillars to enhance the University’s mission: student opportunity and success, the academic experience, and campus and community impact. A cornerstone of the revitalization plan is a new performing arts center at the corner of University and McKinley avenues.

“It will be a space where the arts continue to be a powerful connector for all of us.”

Casey continued, “This project is more than just a building; it’s a bridge to our future, promising to reinvigorate The Village with the life and energy that a major university can bring to its community. People from all over the United States know of Muncie thanks to BSU’s theater program. This new facility will not only further distinguish BSU’s program, but it will also be a space where the arts continue to be a powerful connector for all of us.”

Redevelopment of The Village has been a longstanding goal of the University and the community. In addition to the performing arts center, the plans include entertainment, arts, retail, and restaurant options for the whole community.

“With the robust development we’re witnessing in Muncie’s downtown district, the redevelopment of The Village will extend the arts, entertainment, and retail options for the city as a whole,” said

$687K Awarded in Community Grants

Community Grants were awarded to the following organizations during the first quarter of 2024:

8twelve Coalition

A Better Way Services

Animal Rescue Fund

Ball State University Foundation

Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie

Cardinal Greenway Inc.

Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Inc.

Delaware Advancement Corporation

Funders Forum Fund at The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County

Greater Muncie, IN Habitat for Humanity, Inc.

Heart of Indiana United Way

Lathay Pegues, who serves as a volunteer on the Foundation’s Grants Committee. Lathay also grew up in Muncie and made the choice to call Muncie home for himself and his business. “I’m certain this will be a conduit, not a divider, between Downtown Muncie and Ball State campus for all residents to enjoy.”

The tie between campus and community was further endorsed when Lilly Endowment Inc. announced that Ball State would receive a $35 million grant through its College and Community Collaboration initiative. The grant directly supports the revitalization project. The Community Foundation was one of many organizations to provide a letter of support for the university’s application.

“We were able to advocate on behalf of a trusted partner, Ball State University, to Lilly Endowment Inc.,” said Marcy Minton, President and CEO of The Community Foundation. “We are excited to partner with Ball State University and other arts partners, as we embrace this new district as an arts and culture hub and build a strong arts identity for our community.”

The Community Foundation will also provide capital support for the performing arts center. In February, the Board of Directors approved a commitment of $500,000 over six years through the Community Grants Program, including support from the Harry and Janet Kitselman Fund, Mutual Legacy Fund, and the Unrestricted Fund of The Community Foundation.

Revitalization of The Village is one of many exciting projects that are making Muncie a better place to live, work, play, and visit. The Community Foundation is here today, tomorrow, and always to support projects, like this one, that enhance the quality of life for residents of Muncie and Delaware County.

Home Savers of Delaware County

Muncie Arts and Culture Council

Ross Community Center Inc.

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc.

Southside Middle School

YMCA of Muncie

YWCA Central Indiana

Pictured, Habitat for Humanity

Ignite Generosity: Making an Impact Over Time

There are many ways to give to an organization. To Olivia Fellows, one of the most important things she can offer is her time. Although she’s been volunteering her whole life, she didn’t connect her volunteerism to the idea of philanthropy, at first. But the more involved she became, working with volunteer-run organizations and giving more of her own time on boards and committees, she realized that her definition of philanthropy had expanded beyond just giving dollars.

“It’s also about continued commitments to organizations that need it,” said Olivia, “So philanthropy, for me, has been the evolution of understanding that there are so many ways you can do it.”

When Olivia, a Kentucky native, decided to stay in Muncie after finishing graduate school at Ball State, she knew the best way to settle in and feel connected to her new community was to get involved in the community – patronizing local businesses, joining community groups, going to the farmer’s market. She initially directed the Guardian Scholars program at Ball State, providing support for students who experienced foster care, and now serves as the Lead Advisor for the Indiana University School of Medicine at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, advising and mentoring medical students.

“It’s so easy to engage, and I didn’t realize how easy it would be to engage with The Community Foundation. However, working on the committee, I realized it was just that simple,” Olivia shared. Knowing she could give more than just time, Olivia decided to set up a recurring gift to The Unrestricted Fund of The Community Foundation. A monthly gift is a simple way to make a big impact over time.

“It wasn’t until I got involved that I could see how I could be a donor. I think that it’s important for people to understand how they can be donors. It’s perfectly acceptable to do it in a small way.”

As a first-generation college student and having built a career in student support, Olivia is passionate about higher education. Her job also gives her an affinity for human services, especially foster youth, inspired by her work with Guardian Scholars. She continues to support young professionals in the Muncie community. She also loves animals. She has given her time and talents in many areas throughout the Muncie community, including The Community Foundation. She has served on the Grants Committee of the Board since 2020.

She was drawn to the simplicity of the process and the ongoing support it provides to the Foundation. And, having seen firsthand the work being done, she trusts the Foundation to address the ever-changing needs of the community. Her involvement with the Foundation has helped her see the bigger picture of what’s happening in Muncie and Delaware County and how her contributions make a difference.

“Being involved in this community continues to inspire me,” Olivia concluded, “I’m very thankful and grateful that I took the chance, and that Muncie gave me the chance, to stay here and be involved in some way.”

Community Grants have been awarded from The Unrestricted Fund of The Community Foundation and the following funds:

5000th Charitable Fund, Inc. Fund, Alpha Center Fund, Stefan and Joan Anderson Unrestricted Fund, Ball Corporation Community Betterment Fund, Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Fund, Esther Ball Fund, Bassett Family Fund, J. Robert and Joanne N. Baur Fund, Louisa and Waldo Beebe Unrestricted Endowment Fund, Pat and Jane Botts Fund, Jane Harrell Buckles Fund, Gordon and Pam Cox Fund, Day Star Center Fund, William and Margaret Dutton Fund, Economic Development Fund, The Endowment for the Arts Fund, Edgar Faulkner Sr./Ermal S. Roundtree Fund, Ron and Cheryl Fauquher Fund, John and Janice Fisher Quality of Place Endowment Fund, John and Janice Fisher Unrestricted Endowment Fund, Beulah M. Frogge Fund, Linda and Connie Gregory Fund, Julian and Suzanne Gresham Fund, Jane E. Hughes Fund, KAKATU Foundation/David and Joanna Meeks Fund, Laura Stanley Keppler Fund, Harry and Janet Kitselman Fund, Jeff and Beth Lang Fund, John and Katherine Littler Fund, Maxon Foundation Fund, Mid-West Metal Products Fund, Bill and Nancy Mitchell Living Well in Delaware County Fund, Morris Youth Fund, Muncie Power Products Community Impact Fund, Mutual Legacy Fund, MutualBank Charitable Foundation Fund, Ontario Systems-Wil Davis and Ron Fauquher Fund, Jack and Thelma Peckinpaugh Fund, Jim and Mary Rosema Fund, Anna Winick Schwartz Memorial Fund, Martin D. and Helen B. Schwartz Unrestricted Named Endowment Fund, Hamer and Phyllis Shafer Fund, Jeanne and John Smith Fund, Jeanne and John Smith Unrestricted Fund, Nancy J. Smith Fund, Robert and Janet Stratton Fund, Charles and Claudia Sursa Unrestricted Endowment Fund, David and Mary Jane Sursa Fund, Wayne E. and Carolyn K. Thomas Fund, Mac and Lila Warrell Endowment Fund, Joseph and Janet Wilson Unrestricted Endowment Fund, Faye Wingate Fund

Olivia Fellows (left) in a Grants Commitee meeting with Foundation staff member JoAnna Darda (right)

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Confirmed in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.

Ignite Generosity: Options to Triple Your Gift

Unrestricted Gifts

Matched $2:$1

Gifts to any unrestricted fund at The Community Foundation will be tripled thanks to the support of a matching fund grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

To learn more, contact Kallie Sulanke at 765.747.7181 or ksulanke@cfmdin.org.

The Unrestricted Fund of The Community Foundation

Give Any Amount Example You give $100

Match Received $200 Total gift $300

Any Named Unrestricted Fund

Give Any Amount Example You give $500

Match Received $1,000 Total gift $1,500

One time gifts and pledges accepted. Matching funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Legacy is a publication of The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, Inc.

Memorials and Honorariums

Start Your Own Unrestricted Fund $10,000+ or $5,000+* Example You give $500, then $150 for 30 months

Match Received $10,000 Total gift $15,000

*Special Option for 2024

Board of Directors

Sara Shade Hamilton, Chair

Casey Stanley, Vice Chair

Dave Heeter, Treasurer

Magi Kirkpatrick Sikora, Secretary

Trent Dowling, Ex Officio

Staff

Marcy Minton

President & CEO

Kallie Sulanke

Chief Community Partner for Outreach & Donor Relations

Amanda Kavars

Chief Community Partner for Program & Nonprofit Relations

Carol Kosisko Community Partner for Donor Relations

Molly Harty Community Partner for Program & Nonprofit Relations

Phone: 765.747.7181

John W. Anderson Jr.

Derron Bishop

Jaime Faulkner

Mia Johnson

Daniel Stallings

Trina Bowling Finance Officer

Rachel Spodek

Outreach & Donor Relations Manager

JoAnna Darda

Program & Nonprofit Relations Manager

Rachel Lunsford Operations Support Manager

Professional Counsel

Steven D. Murphy Legal Counsel

Email: commfound@cfmdin.org

Website: cfmdin.org

The following individuals were remembered or honored through gifts to The Community Foundation from December 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024.

Honorariums

Carly Acree King

Gary Addison

Matthew Blake

Jean Blake

Carolyn Cooley

Lesley Devine

Carol and Tony Elliott

John and Debbie Foster

David and Nancy Galliher

Erma L. Green

Bill Harris

Kelly Heavilon

Steve and Kim Hunter

Roni Johnson

Ann Johnson

Bill and Jan McCune

Fred A. Meyer Jr.

Partners for Profit

Janet Roepke

Carol Seals

Staci and Steve Slavin

Van and Margaret Smith

Daniel and Lynne Stallings

Peter Stratton

William Summers

Board of Directors of the Children Clothing Center

Tricia Davis Williams

Jim and Pam Wingate

Memorials

Tiny Adams

Douglas Amman

Janet Arnold

John Barber

Bob Beasley

Kevin Bergan

Don Billidi

Alyx Brinkman

William Bruns

Jack Buckles

Richard and Dorothy Burkhardt

John Carlson

Michael L. Cox

Carol June Crabtree

David Dale

Molly Day

Stephen Anthony Dowell

Andrea Eavey

Nancy Ann Finan

Larry Fisher

William Flannery

Neal Fouch

Ted Fullhart

Jean Gadziola

Rex A. Goen

Zach Greenwalt

Howard Gregory

Suzanne Gresham

Jon Hunter

Shannon Johnson

Eileen and Carl Keener

Mary Ann King

Susan Land

John B. Lotz

Ora Loveless

Ann Metzler

Dr. Stephen Miller, MD

Bill Miller

Marta Moody

Constance M. Moore

Harold and Jean Nation

Ellen Payne Osborn

John Oxley

Dale E. Schell

Fritz Schnep

Tom Schnuck

Douglass Shermeta

John and Jeanne Smith

Cynthia Spears

Dylan Stafford

Ross Van Ness

Paul Van Ness

Rex Waldo II

Rollin E. Ward

Jenny Weller

Sandra Worthen

Pets

Angel Nation Brinkman

Maggie Nation Brinkman

Stella Nation Brinkman

Oullie