The Community Foundation is Growing

Thanks to the generosity of neighbors across our community, The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County has seen impressive growth. At the end of 2021, Foundation assets reached an all-time high of $88 million. These assets are here to support the community today, tomorrow, and always.

Growth in assets has led to the need for added capacity for The Community Foundation, including increases in staff size and physical space. In June, the Board of Directors of The Community Foundation identified and purchased a property and building to serve as the organization’s new home. Later this summer, The Community Foundation will relocate its offices from the Muncie Power Products building at 201 E. Jackson to the former USI building at 302 E. Jackson.

Our new building allows us to continue contributing to the of downtown.

“Keeping The Community Foundation in downtown Muncie was a priority as the search for expanded space began,” said Trent Dowling, Chair of the Board of Directors of The Community Foundation. “Our new building allows us to continue contributing to the vibrancy of downtown.”

Since 2015, the Foundation staff has grown from five employees to eight. A ninth position will be added later this year. This growth in personnel aligns with a 50 percent increase in grantmaking and growth of assets of more than $30 million over the same period.

The Community Foundation is pleased to welcome two new team members.

Joel Brumley. Program Officer

Joel Brumley, program officer, works closely with nonprofit organizations partnering with The Community Foundation. Joel brings to The Foundation nonprofit experience as well as experience in agriculture, natural resources, education, and outreach through experiences with Purdue Extension and the University of Illinois Extension, public school teaching, and county Soil and Water Conservation District work.

“I am happy to be working for an organization that I greatly admired through several interactions on the job as Youth Development Educator and County Extension Director for Purdue Extension – Delaware County,” said Joel. “I also feel very fortunate to be able to re-ignite many relationships that were developed throughout the community during my time at Purdue Extension and Delaware County 4-H.”

Rachel Spodek, Communications Administrator

Rachel Spodek, communications administrator, oversees gift entry for The Community Foundation and will support other external communications. Rachel is a Muncie native who brings administrative and communications knowledge to The Foundation.

“I am so thrilled to join the team at The Community Foundation and have the opportunity to serve the community that has given me so much over the years,” said Rachel.