George and Frances Ball Foundation
The George and Frances Ball Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1937 in Muncie, Indiana. The foundation was founded by George Ball, one of the five brothers who founded Ball Brothers Company (now Ball Corporation), an international manufacturing company known for its glass containers and canning jars. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and serves as a philanthropic leader in East Central Indiana.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$89.6M
+17.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.0M
-10.9% YoY
Grant Count
49
+8.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$102K
-18.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, George and Frances Ball Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The George and Frances Ball Foundation is focused on increasing the quality of life and educational attainment of residents in East Central Indiana. The foundation operates as an advocate, convener, and grantmaker working in partnership with area nonprofit organizations.
The foundation's five core focus areas are:
- Education and Youth
- Civic Enhancement
- Arts and Culture
- Wrap Around Supports
- Nature and Historic Preservation
More than half of the foundation's grantmaking is dedicated to education and youth development.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded grants totaling over $5 million to local organizations. Notable recent grants include:
Grant Range
$50,000–$100,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's geographic focus is East Central Indiana, with priority given to Muncie and Delaware County.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- Total assets: $89,617,801 (as of 2024)
Annual Giving:
- Total giving: $5,010,497–$5.5 million annually
- 2024 grantmaking: Over $5 million awarded
Revenue & Expenses:
- Total revenues (2024): $20,093,148
- Total expenses (2024): $6,702,134
- Total assets (2023): $76,000,000
- Total liabilities (2023): $15,200
Tax Status:
- Tax-exempt since December 1938
- EIN: 35-6033917
- Designated as 501(c)(3)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $89,617,801 | $75,990,692 | $76,099,661 |
| Revenue | $20,093,148 | $6,758,820 | $6,277,746 |
| Expenses | $6,702,134 | $6,877,676 | $6,458,358 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,831,055 | $6,378,146 | $5,973,593 |
| Net Investment Income | $19,558,718 | $6,324,291 | $5,866,626 |
| Distributable Amount | $6,285,505 | $5,810,027 | $6,094,182 |
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
241 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from George and Frances Ball Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Minnetrista Cultural Foundation Inc ($1,110,000), Muncie Community Schools ($729,423), Ball State University Foundation ($400,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BALL STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION MUNCIE, IN | PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | $400,000 |
| CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES OF DELAWARE COUNTY MUNCIE, IN | EMERGENCY MEN'S SLEEPING ROOM & SHELTER'S SECURITY SYSTEM | $34,000 |
| COLLEGE MENTORS FOR KIDS INDIANAPOLIS, IN | BSU CHAPTER PROGRAM SCHOOL ACTIVITIES | $15,000 |
| DELAWARE ADVANCEMENT CORPORATION MUNCIE, IN | SUPPORT VISION 2027 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION; CAN LEADERSHIP APPRECIATION | $65,000 |
| ECI REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP MUNCIE, IN | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES | $65,000 |
| GREATER MUNCIE IN HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MUNCIE, IN | HOUSING PROGRAM | $85,000 |
| MINNETRISTA CULTURAL FOUNDATION INC MUNCIE, IN | OPERATIONS/ CAPITAL PROJECTS | $1,110,000 |
| RED-TAIL CONSERVANCY INC MUNCIE, IN | OPERATIONS SUPPORT & MATCHING CHALLENGE GRANT | $65,000 |
| HEART OF INDIANA UNITED WAY MUNCIE, IN | ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHEAD COSTS; THIRD GRADE READING C2C CAN; CAN SUPPORT & RECOGNITION; GOOD ATTENDANCE CAMPAIGN | $291,500 |
| MUNCIE CIVIC THEATRE MUNCIE, IN | UNDERWRITE SCRIPTS/ ROYALTIES/ MUSIC FOR SEASON PRODUCTIONS; | $89,397 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Staff:
- Thomas J. Kinghorn – President & Chief Executive Officer
- Kortney Zimmerman – Vice President & Chief Program Officer
- Kelsey Harrington – Program Impact Officer
- Lindsey Cox – Program Officer
- Linda Faughnder – Executive Assistant, Cradle to Career Muncie
Board of Directors:
- Jon H. Moll – Chairman
- Stefan S. Anderson – Chairman Emeritus
- Ronald K. Fauquher – Vice Chairman & Treasurer
- Ted Wiese – Secretary
- Will Bracken – Board Member
- Ermalene M. Faulkner – Board Member
- Michael B. Galliher – Board Member
- Steven M. Smith – Board Member
- Marianne Vorhees – Board Member
- James R. Williams – Board Member
- Mark K. Hardwick – Board Member
- Norman E. Beck, Ph.D. – Director Emeritus
- Joan H. McKee – Director Emeritus
- Robert M. Smitson – Director Emeritus
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERMALENE M FAULKNER | Director | 1 | — |
| JOSEPH F WIESE | Secretary, Dir | 1 | — |
| STEFAN S ANDERSON | Director | 1 | — |
| JAMES R WILLIAMS | Director | 1 | — |
| THOMAS J KINGHORN | President & CEO | 32 | $134,808 |
| MARK K HARDWICK | Director | 1 | — |
| JON H MOLL | Chairman, Direc | 3 | — |
| RONALD K FAUQUHER | Vice-Chr, Treas | 2 | — |
| MARIANNE L VORHEES | Director | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL B GALLIHER | Director | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM M BRACKEN | Director | 1 | — |
| STEVEN M SMITH | Director | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 222 S Mulberry St, Muncie, IN 47305
Phone: (765) 741-5500
Website: gfballfdn.org
Mailing Address: PO Box 1408, Muncie, IN 47308-1408
Frequently Asked Questions
What does George and Frances Ball Foundation fund?
The George and Frances Ball Foundation is focused on increasing the quality of life and educational attainment of residents in East Central Indiana. The foundation operates as an advocate, convener, and grantmaker working in partnership with area nonprofit organizations. The foundation's five core focus areas are: • Education and Youth • Civic Enhancement • Arts and Culture • Wrap Around Supports • Nature and Historic Preservation More than half of the foundation's grantmaking is dedicated to e…
How do I apply for a grant from George and Frances Ball Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** • Typical grant size: $50,000–$100,000 • Grant range: $5,000–$1,000,000 • Recent awards have included grants of $1,110,000, $400,000, and $300,000 **Application Process:** • Quarterly application cycles (February, April, August, November) • Online grant application system • Pre-application support: Required pre-grant meeting with program staff for all applicants • Decision time: 6–8 weeks **Recent Grantmaking Activity:** In 2024, the foundation awarded grants totaling over $5…
Where does George and Frances Ball Foundation make grants?
The foundation's geographic focus is East Central Indiana, with priority given to Muncie and Delaware County.
What size grants does George and Frances Ball Foundation award?
In 2024, George and Frances Ball Foundation awarded 49 grants totaling $5.0M — an average of about $102K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is George and Frances Ball Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, George and Frances Ball Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is George and Frances Ball Foundation's EIN?
George and Frances Ball Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-6033917. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in George and Frances Ball 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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