Ball Brothers Foundation
Ball Brothers Foundation is a private family foundation based in Muncie, Indiana, dedicated to improving quality of life through philanthropy and leadership. Incorporated in 1926, it is likely the oldest private foundation in Indiana still led by members of its founding family. The foundation was established from the estate of Edmund B. Ball and his brothers, founders of Ball Brothers Company (now Ball Corporation), a historic glass manufacturing business.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$173.8M
+1.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.3M
-5.7% YoY
Grant Count
113
-5.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$73K
+0.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: "Ball Brothers Foundation is dedicated to the stewardship legacy of the Ball brothers and to the pursuit of improving the quality of life in Muncie, Delaware County, East Central Indiana, and Indiana through philanthropy and leadership."
Funding Priorities:
Ball Brothers Foundation supports six broad subject areas:
- Arts, culture, and humanities
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Human services
- Public society benefit
The foundation prioritizes support for organizations that strengthen their effectiveness, present innovative approaches to addressing community needs, and spearhead new projects, programs, or initiatives.
Grantmaking
Ball Brothers Foundation makes grants only to nonprofits, government organizations, and schools operating within Indiana. An organization's IRS nonprofit status is verified prior to awarding funds.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Ball Brothers Foundation historically targets the vast majority of its funding to organizations in East Central Indiana, with particular emphasis on the Muncie/Delaware County area.
Primary service area includes:
- Muncie
- Delaware County
- Blackford County
- Grant County
- Henry County
- Jay County
- Madison County
- Randolph County
Limited exceptions are occasionally made outside these areas for projects with statewide impact. Organizations outside the Muncie/East Central Indiana area are welcome to apply, though funding for organizations outside this footprint is rare.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $170.7 million to $173.8 million
- Total revenue: $13.7 million
- Total expenses: $11.9 million
- Total liabilities: $12,800
Tax Status:
- Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since September 1943
- EIN: 35-0882856
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $173,760,695 | $170,691,544 | $168,858,047 |
| Revenue | $14,928,483 | $13,732,738 | $19,558,197 |
| Expenses | $11,849,191 | $11,901,861 | $13,831,129 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $9,410,530 | $9,908,417 | $11,092,848 |
| Net Investment Income | $12,595,407 | $11,779,829 | $16,841,467 |
| Distributable Amount | $10,366,718 | $9,438,629 | $9,824,701 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Ball Brothers Foundation
Ball Brothers Foundation Fellows Program Grant
BALL BROTHERS FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ball Brothers Foundation General Grants
BALL BROTHERS FOUNDATION
Amount
US $5,000 - US $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
BBF Rapid Grants
BALL BROTHERS FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's governing panel blends representatives from two generations of descendants of the Ball brothers with several regional business and civic leaders.
Historical Founders:
- Edmund B. Ball
- George A. Ball (1862-1955) — handled financial affairs for Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company
- William C. Ball (1852-1921) — worked in sales for Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company
- Frank C. Ball (1857-1943) — served as President for Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company
- Lucius L. Ball
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NANCY B KEILTY | Director | 1 | — |
| JAMES A FISHER | Chair/Director | 4 | — |
| ELIZABETH M BRACKEN | Director | 1 | — |
| JUDITH F OETINGER | Director | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY C BIRD | Director | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM M BRACKEN | Director | 1 | — |
| STEPHANIE C DUCKMANN | Director | 1 | — |
| LAURA HILL | Director | 1 | — |
| SCOTT E SCHOCKLEY | Ast Sec&A Treas | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL J FISHER | President/CEO | 40 | $290,985 |
| STACY J MCHENRY | Director | 1 | — |
| JENNA L WACHTMANN | Vice President | 40 | $141,865 |
| FRANK B PETTY | Vice Chair/Dir | 4 | — |
| CHARLES F BALL | Secretary | 2 | — |
| EDMUND F PETTY JR | Treasurer | 6 | — |
| DENNIS TRAMMELL JR | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Ball Brothers Foundation celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2026 and announced updated grantmaking focus areas. The foundation has maintained active grant cycles with multiple funding rounds throughout 2024 and 2025, including specialized initiatives such as the Ball Venture Fund and grants focused on growing healthcare talent in East Central Indiana.
Ball Brothers Foundation Celebrates 100th Anniversary in 2026, Announces\Related Funders
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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