The Ball Brothers Foundation in Muncie, Indiana, has announced grants totaling more than $2.7 million to thirty-one nonprofit organizations in the state.

The largest number of grants was awarded in support of education and youth programs in and around Muncie. Recipients include Muncie Community Schools, which was awarded $350,000 to support the merger of two high schools; the Muncie Boys and Girls Club, which will receive $92,500 in support of its programming and to make much-needed facility improvements; and the Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, which was awarded $75,000 to bolster its Birth Through Age Five Early Childhood Initiative, which works to ensure that children in Delaware County are kindergarten-ready. 

In addition, Motivate Our Minds and the Roy C. Buley Community Program each will receive $35,000 for afterschool and summer programming; Pro100 (TeenWorks) was awarded $35,000 in support of a six-week summer program that combines paid employment, classroom training, and civic engagement opportunities for economically disadvantaged teens in Muncie; and the Ivy Tech Foundation will receive $125,000 in support of renovations to its downtown campus and an accelerated associate's degree program targeted to students from low-income families.

"Ball Brothers Foundation recognizes that strong schools create strong communities and strong local economies. With the merger of the city's two high schools, we saw an important opportunity to support transition efforts during a key time for our city," said BBF president and chief operating officer Jud Fisher. "We also know that learning takes place outside of the classroom, and our grants this cycle demonstrate our commitment to educational opportunities that promote learning from birth through career and college."

For a complete list of grant recipients, visit the Ball Brothers Foundation website.