User:ChadRagan/sandbox

Comments

Looking good except for some errors that need correcting (I've marked these with OOPS) and promotional language that could be edited to be more neutral. –Webster Newbold (talk) 14:15, 8 November 2012 (UTC)

Ball Brothers

The Ball brothers, best known for their home canning jars, first when going into business together in 1880. Their parents, Lucius Styles Ball (1814-1878) and Maria Polly Bingham Ball (1822-1892) had six sons and two daughters: Lucina Amelia, Lucius Lorenzo, William Charles, Edmund Burke, Frank Clayton, Mary Frances, George Alexander, and Clinton Harvey. The family was raised in eastern Ohio and in upstate New York.

After leaving New York for Muncie, Indiana in 1885, the Ball family has continued to generously invest into the community and has grown Muncie’s culture. The first factory was opened in 1888 and since then the company has subsequently expanded and diversified the enterprise. The family’s corporation has provided countless jobs to a large number of Hoosiers and contributed to the commerce of the city and region. By 1937, the value of the company was estimated at nearly seven million dollars. In the following decades, the families generosity provided Ball State University, Ball Memorial Hospital, the local YMCA, and the Minnetrista cultural center and golf course to the community.

From eldest to youngest-

Lucius Lorenzo Ball (1850-1932) The eldest Ball brother was a resident for 30 years. He was born in Greensburg, Ohio on March 29. Married to Sarah Rogers and received his degree from the University of Buffalo. As a doctor, he was very well known within the community of Muncie, Indiana and was a leading practitioner in medicine for the city.

William Charles Ball (1852-1921) William was born in Trumbler County, Ohio. When the Ball Brothers moved to Muncie, Indiana because of the abundance of natural gas he remained in Buffalo, New York to close out affairs. He finally moved to Muncie in 1897. He married Emma Wood Ball. William was the secretary for the Ball Company. Like his brothers, he was heavily involved in the political world of Muncie.

Edmund Burke Ball (1855-1925) Edmund Burke was also born in Ohio and traveled to Muncie with his wife Bertha to Muncie. Edmund served as treasurer of the corporation and was one of the original co-founders with his brother Frank.

Frank Clayton Ball (1857-1943) Frank Clayton was the President of the Ball Brothers Corporation. He, like his brothers, was born in Greensburg Ohio. Also like the other four Ball Brothers, Frank took an interest in the public affairs of the community in Muncie, Indiana. They have contributed more than one million dollars to public institutions including The Ball State Teacher's College, Young Men's and Women's Christian Association, and Riley Hospital. Frank was also president of the Muncie Young Men's Christian Association.

George Alexander Ball (1862-1955) George Alexander was also treasurer of the corporation. His interest in the glass manufacturing company was quickly identified after it's inception. At the age of 22 he joined Edmund in creating the company. Frank and George Ball have very similar history's because their lives were so intertwined with one another and worked so close together. He was married to Frances Woodworth.

Philosophy of Business

The Ball brothers always focused on the importance of community, which played a key role in their their philosophy of business. Today, through the Ball Corporation, the company that was started by the brothers still focuses on the core values that they were founded upon in 1880. Theses values include:

• Uncompromising integrity
• Being close to the customers
• Behaving like owners
• Focusing on attention to detail
• Being innovative

Philanthropy

The Ball brothers were committed to promoting welfare of others through donations of money to good causes. They wanted to embrace community needs and helped the growth of the city through this goal. Their foundation still follows this philosophy of philanthropy today. The Ball Brothers Foundation helps provide seed money that can aid in launching new projects, programs, or initiatives that will benefit the community.

Muncie, Indiana

Muncie is a city located in Delaware County in East Central Indiana.

Why Muncie?

The five Ball brothers moved to Indiana in the 1880s to relocate their glass manufacturing business. They wanted to take advantage of the abundant amount of natural gas in the area which created a perfect place to build a business. Their main focus was to create partnerships with nonprofit agencies by providing financial support to local success for the people of Muncie and East Central Indiana.

City Impact

The Ball brothers made a huge impact on Muncie with the success of their glass business and commitment to the growth of the community.

Job Creation

When the Ball brothers moved to Muncie in 1887, they brought their glass manufacturing business with them. Ball Corporation grew rapidly and it helped to create a sufficient number of jobs in the area. Through the success of their company, the Ball brothers began focusing on the importance of helping the community. Their efforts helped to boost the local economy. Some ways their contributions could be seen are through job creation, Minnetrista, and Ball State University.

Minnetrista

Minnetrista is an important part of the Ball family legacy; the family bought the land along the White River in 1893. Minnetrista means a “gathering place by the water”. It takes its name from the original F.C. Ball home that once stood on this site. Today, Minnetrista is devoted to preserving the artifacts that document the history of Muncie and East Central Indiana. Visitors can search the gardens of Minnetrista for free. The natural areas of Minnetrista have an assorted community of native Indiana plant and animal species. Minnetrista has always been a gathering place and continues to be an important part of the Muncie community.

Ball State University

Ball State University is a Research University located in Muncie, Indiana. It opened in 1899 as a small, private teacher training school to help boost the development of the city. After the college failed, the Ball brothers then purchased the land and buildings and donated them to the State of Indiana. The school opened in 1918 as the Indiana State Normal School Easter Division. In 1922, to recognize the generosity of the Ball family, the schools name was changed to Ball Teachers College in 1922 and then to Ball State University Teachers College in 1929. By the 1960s, Ball State University Teachers College began to grow as a university and in 1965 was renamed to what it is known as today, Ball State University.

Ball Brothers Foundation

Grants from the Ball Brothers Foundation are awarded to organizations that demonstrate "better practices" or strive toward "best practice designation" in conducting their business and have continued interests in improving the quality of life for citizens of Indiana. The foundation looks to fund innovation, programs that are just starting, and companies going through expansion.

Grants

While only companies or organizations can apply for grants from the Ball Brothers Foundation, there is a wide variety of subjects and topics that the grants can go towards. Areas of interest that are eligible to apply include:

• Education (higher education, public and private education)
• Arts, Culture & Humanities (cultural activities & institutions)
• Human Services (including youth services)
• Public/Society Benefit (community betterment)
• Health (including school & community wellness, youth development, & recreation)
• Environment (including conservation and land management)

Grant Types

• BBF General Grant
• BBF Rapid Grant
  • For organizations that need immediate funding up to $5,000
• BBF Organizational Effectiveness/Executive Mentoring Grant
  • 150 hours of professional consulting for the organization
  • Two invitations to IYI's Because Kids Count Conference
  • One Invitation to attend Principles and Techniques of Fundraising taught by The Fundraising School at Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy
  • Ability to apply for a $10,000 sub-award to further improve the organization

Awards

Every year the Ball Brothers Foundation recognizes individuals for their outstanding work in his or her community.

• Excellence in Teaching Award
  • Yearly award to recognize an outstanding K-12 public school teacher in Delaware County, IN that guides students to collaborate, think critically, and to use problem-solving skills, and creativity
  • $15,000 goes towards the teacher’s classroom, school and district
• The John W. & Janice B. Fisher Governance Award
  • Every year a board member is selected who shows strong leadership for the betterment of his or her selected nonprofit organization. The award of $10,000 is given to the selected nonprofit organization for board training and support. Organizations that serve the citizens of Delaware County may nominate a board member who has been on the panel for a minimum of two years, and exemplifies the four requirements of board service (mission, financial stability, planning, and recognition for the organization).