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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ball Brothers Foundation reported a distributable amount of $10.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Minnetrista Museum & Gardens ($2,790,000), Muncie Community Schools ($469,000), Ymca of Muncie ($290,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| COLLEGE MENTORS FOR KIDS INDIANAPOLIS, IN | MUNCIE MENTOR PROGRAM | $5,000 |
| DELAWARE ADVANCEMENT CORP MUNCIE, IN | ECI REGIONAL CLUSTER STUDY | $3,000 |
| DELAWARE COUNTY SOIL & WATER MUNCIE, IN | UPPER WHITE RIVER WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN PHASE 2; WHITE RIVER BRANDING PHASE 3 | $50,000 |
| CARDINAL GREENWAY INC MUNCIE, IN | OPERATING SUPPORT; CLOSING THE CARDINAL GREENWAY GAP PHASE I | $200,000 |
| ECI REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP INC MUNCIE, IN | 2025 OPERATING SUPPORT; ECI HEALTHCARE PIPELINE SUMMIT | $115,000 |
| INDIANA YOUTH INSTITUTE INDIANAPOLIS, IN | ENHANCING ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY | $45,000 |
| MINNETRISTA MUSEUM & GARDENS MUNCIE, IN | GENERAL OPERATIONS & CAPITAL SUPPORT; FELLOWS | $2,790,000 |
| YMCA OF MUNCIE MUNCIE, IN | CAMP CROSLEY CAPITAL PHASE 2; MITCHELL EARLY CHILDHOOD & FAMILY CENTER | $290,000 |
| HUFFER MEMORIAL CHILDRENS CENTER MUNCIE, IN | STRENGTHENING THE GAP; AIR CONDITIONER | $35,000 |
| SECOND HARVEST FOODBANK EAST CENTRAL IN MUNCIE, IN | COOLER & COOL ROOM EXPANSION & GENERAL OPERATIONS | $100,000 |
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\Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ball Brothers Foundation fund?
**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 organiz…
How do I apply for a grant from Ball Brothers Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $1,500 to $2,790,000 • Recent annual giving: $8.3 million (2024) • The foundation offers multiple grant programs including general grants, a Fellows Program, and Rapid Grants **Recent Grant Activity:** • June 2024: $4 million awarded in Round 1 grants • June 2025: $3 million+ awarded in spring round of grants • Recent grants include $2.8 million to Minnetrista Museum & Gardens and $100,000 to Cornerstone Center for the Arts **Eligibility:** Ball…
Where does Ball Brothers Foundation make 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 ar…
What size grants does Ball Brothers Foundation award?
In 2024, Ball Brothers Foundation awarded 113 grants totaling $8.3M — an average of about $73K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Ball Brothers Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Ball Brothers Foundation reported a distributable amount of $10.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Ball Brothers Foundation's EIN?
Ball Brothers Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-0882856. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ball Brothers Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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