George and Frances Ball Foundation
The George and Frances Ball Foundation is a private foundation based in Muncie, Indiana. It provides grants and capacity-building advice to organizations that share Ball family values, with a primary focus on improving livability and educational attainment in East Central Indiana.
George and Frances Ball Foundation at a glance
In short: George and Frances Ball Foundation gave $5.0M across 49 grants in 2024 (avg $102K), mostly in Indiana. 12% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,010,497
- -10.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 49
- +8.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $102,255
- -18.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $40,000
- Total assets
- $89,617,801
- +17.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (6 of 49, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to George and Frances Ball Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation’s materials describe a required pre-grant meeting as the first step and direct applicants to request one through its grantmaking process.
- Review Cycle
- The listed 2025 quarterly deadlines were January 21, April 9, July 8, and November 5, with submissions due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The Foundation says applicants should expect a funding decision approximately 6–8 weeks after a submission deadline.
- Deadline
- The listed 2025 quarterly deadlines were January 21, April 9, July 8, and November 5, with submissions due by 5:00 p.m.
- Contact
Application contact: Shannon Cline
Mailing address: PO Box 1408, Muncie, IN 47308
Phone: (765) 741-5500
Website: https://gfballfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from George and Frances Ball Foundation
Who George and Frances Ball Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Minnetrista Cultural Foundation Inc ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $3.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
278 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 176 grants of 278 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s primary geographic focus is East Central Indiana. It says support beyond the region has largely been limited to institutions of higher education. All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 49 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is George and Frances Ball Foundation open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 49 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $57K; repeat grants $109K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $40K repeat.
- 69% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.0M (2024) to $5.6M (2023). In 2024 it made 49 grants totaling $5.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minnetrista Cultural Foundation Inc Muncie, IN | Operations/ Capital Projects | $1,110,000 |
| Muncie Community Schools Muncie, IN | Longfellow school modular classrooms;blackrock subgrant; education data outcomes team; northside middle school view boards; robotic team southside middle school; can support & recognition; summer attendance rewards; student npps stipends | $729,423 |
| Ball State University Foundation Muncie, IN | Performing Arts Center | $400,000 |
| Urban Light Community Church Muncie, IN | Community Social Hub | $300,000 |
| Heart of Indiana United Way Muncie, IN | Administrative overhead costs; third grade reading c2c can; can support & recognition; good attendance campaign | $291,500 |
| United Day Care Center of DE CO Muncie, IN | Addition of Three Infant & Toddler Classrooms | $250,000 |
| YMCA of Muncie Muncie, IN | Capital Campaign; Camp Crosley; Can Leadership Recognition | $219,241 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Muncie Muncie, IN | Operations & programming: out of school programs & middle grade math can | $175,000 |
| Muncie Innovation Connector Inc Muncie, IN | Stem/minor operations support; middle grade math can; can leadership recognition; operational support | $158,550 |
| Ivy Tech Community College Muncie Muncie, IN | Director Community Education | $92,950 |
Ready to take the next step with George and Frances Ball Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $89,617,801 | $20,093,148 | $6,702,134 | $5,010,497 | 49 | $5,831,055 | $19,558,718 | $6,285,505 |
| 2023 | $75,990,692 | $6,758,820 | $6,877,676 | $5,625,000 | 45 | $6,378,146 | $6,324,291 | $5,810,027 |
| 2022 | $76,099,661 | $6,277,746 | $6,458,358 | $5,417,036 | 47 | $5,973,593 | $5,866,626 | $6,094,182 |
| 2021 | $76,278,352 | $7,203,214 | $6,374,172 | $5,406,185 | 56 | $5,763,299 | $6,680,091 | $6,810,656 |
| 2020 | $75,450,744 | $6,680,172 | $6,302,696 | $5,469,492 | 81 | — | $6,238,937 | $5,598,431 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to honor the gifts of George and Frances Ball and continue the Ball family legacy by providing capacity-building advice and grants to organizations sharing similar values, primarily to improve livability and educational attainment in East Central Indiana.
Its guidelines say it awards grants to organizations and institutions with IRS 501(c)(3) designations. Examples of grantees’ work include Minnetrista Museum & Gardens’ learning, nature, art, and regional heritage activities; Ball State University Foundation’s support for Ball State University; and Project Leadership’s programming for students, families, and schools to increase high school and college completion for career success. These describe the grantees’ missions, not the Foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation made 49 grants totaling $5,010,497. Grant amounts ranged from $3,000 to $1,110,000, with a median of $40,000.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $1,110,000 to Minnetrista Cultural Foundation for operations and capital projects; $729,423 to Muncie Community Schools for education-related projects; $400,000 to Ball State University Foundation for a performing arts center; $300,000 to Urban Light Community Church for a community social hub; and $291,500 to Heart of Indiana United Way for administrative costs and community programs. Other notable awards included $250,000 to United Day Care Center of Delaware County for three infant and toddler classrooms and $219,241 to YMCA of Muncie for a capital campaign, Camp Crosley, and leadership recognition.
A pre-grant meeting with Foundation program staff is required before a request can be presented to the Board. The Foundation says staff will respond to a meeting request within one week; an invitation to meet does not guarantee funding. Proposals should be no more than five pages, excluding necessary attachments, and include a cover letter stating the purpose and exact amount requested, plus a project or program budget worksheet and narrative. The filing also lists a project or grant-purpose description, budget, and copy of the organization’s IRS exemption letter as application materials.
The Foundation generally does not consider requests from individuals, for sectarian religious activities, for new grants to cover regular operating expenses, or to make up a fundraising shortfall. It favors applications that propose leveraging the requested funds with other funding or matching funds, though this is not a requirement.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Thomas J. Kinghorn as President & CEO; Jon H. Moll as Chairman; Ronald K. Fauquher as Vice-Chair and Treasurer; and Joseph F. Wiese as Secretary. It also lists Ermalene M. Faulkner, Stefan S. Anderson, James R. Williams, Mark K. Hardwick, Marianne L. Vorhees, and Michael B. Galliher as directors.
George and Frances Ball Foundation is led by Thomas J. Kinghorn, President & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 12 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Thomas J. Kinghorn
President & CEO
President → President & CEO, 2022
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
$83K (2020) → $135K (2024)
Jon H. Moll
Chairman & Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph F. Wiese
Secretary & Director
Director → Secretary & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marianne L. Vorhees
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael B. Galliher
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stefan S. Anderson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven M. Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William M. Bracken
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ermalene M. Faulkner
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James R. Williams
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark K. Hardwick
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ronald K. Fauquher
Vice Chair & Treasurer
Vice Chair & Director → Vice Chair & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Tamara S. Phillips (2020–2022) — Treasurer-
- Former: Carol E. Seals (2020–2021) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Shannon Donnell-Cline (2021) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Norman E. Beck (2020) — Secretary & Director
- Former: Robert M. Smitson (2020) — Director
- Former: Thomas C. Bracken (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $135K, to Thomas J Kinghorn (President & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about George and Frances Ball Foundation
How much does George and Frances Ball Foundation give each year?
George and Frances Ball Foundation gave $5.0M across 49 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.6M across 45 grants.
What is George and Frances Ball Foundation's typical grant size?
George and Frances Ball Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $40,000, and its average grant was $102,255, across 49 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from George and Frances Ball Foundation that year got $57K on average.
Where does George and Frances Ball Foundation give grants?
George and Frances Ball Foundation gives mostly in Indiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Muncie, IN (38 grants) and Indianapolis, IN (8 grants).
Does George and Frances Ball Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of George and Frances Ball Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 49) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are George and Frances Ball Foundation's largest grantees?
George and Frances Ball Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Minnetrista Cultural Foundation Inc ($1,110,000), Muncie Community Schools ($729,423) and Ball State University Foundation ($400,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is George and Frances Ball Foundation?
George and Frances Ball Foundation reported $89.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does George and Frances Ball Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to honor the gifts of George and Frances Ball and continue the Ball family legacy by providing capacity-building advice and grants to organizations sharing similar values, primarily to improve livability and educational attainment in East Central Indiana. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from George and Frances Ball Foundation?
The Foundation’s materials describe a required pre-grant meeting as the first step and direct applicants to request one through its grantmaking process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). George and Frances Ball Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/george-and-frances-ball-foundation-morg_5fe610e65f5543a2831ba8d72b574ed0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_356033917_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{George and Frances Ball Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/george-and-frances-ball-foundation-morg_5fe610e65f5543a2831ba8d72b574ed0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from George and Frances Ball Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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