The Ball Brothers Foundation in Muncie, Indiana, has announced grants totaling nearly $1.8 million to nonprofit organizations in the state, including several grants in support of Muncie Action Plan initiatives, which aim to boost the quality of life in the Muncie area.

Grants made in support of the plan include $250,000 to the Ivy Tech Foundation and $90,000 to the Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Additional grants include $100,000 each to the Luke Bracken Wiese Fund for Juvenile Diabetes at the Riley Hospital for Children, Cardinal Greenways, and Project Leadership; $75,000 to the Indiana Youth Institute; $73,000 to the Roy C. Buley Community Center; and $70,000 to the Youth Opportunity Center.

The foundation also awarded $200,000 through its Workforce Development Initiative to Muncie-Delaware County's Vision 2016 economic development plan, which seeks to create two thousand primary-income jobs in the area.

"The Vision programs have historically seen a diverse group of community organizations and individuals come together in a special funding and communications partnership," said Jud Fisher, president and COO of the foundation. "Vision 2016 will be a powerful driver for continued business attraction and retention. The foundation is optimistic about the next five-year effort of our community's economic alliance and the opportunities for Muncie and Delaware County."