Become A Donor
Caring, giving donors are at the heart of The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County. Donations are key to developing a continual source of charitable assets to benefit our community today, tomorrow, and always. Ready to make a difference? Donate now or contact us to learn more about how to can help The Community Foundation.
Who Gives?
Our donors generally have a connection to Muncie and Delaware County. They can be found living in our community and all over the world! Many donors choose to make their gift to The Community Foundation because we are here forever. Your gift will make a difference today, tomorrow, and always.
Our staff is your partner in charitable giving! We would love to hear your charitable goals and help you achieve them. You may consider giving to an existing fund or establishing a new fund.
“You have to embrace a lot of people to have a good outcome. You have to trust them and rely on them and help them when they need it.”
- Jill Jereb
Want to learn the ways our donors have made an impact on Muncie and Delaware County? Read some of our donor stories!
How to Give
The Community Foundation accepts gifts of all amounts and in many forms including cash, check, online, stock gifts, real estate, and more. You may choose to make a one-time donation in honor or memory of a loved one, annual gifts to support community grantmaking, or establish a named fund to create a lasting legacy.
Types of Funds
Unrestricted Funds - Provide a gift that grows and changes with our community! Donations to our unrestricted funds are used for grants to nonprofit organizations serving Muncie and Delaware County.
Field of Interest Fund - Support a cause that matters to you. From animal welfare to environmental impact, we will match your gift with a fund dedicated to your interests.
Designated Fund - Already know where you want to grant a donation to? Name a particular charity or charities to benefit from your gift!
Donor Advised Fund - Take a role in recommending which nonprofit organizations will benefit from grants.
Scholarship Fund - Encourage the students of Muncie and Delaware County by providing financial support to help further their education.
Memorial and Honorary Gifts
You can designate your gift in honor or in memory of a loved one. Upon making the donation, you may also indicate certain individuals are to be notified of your gift. Memorials and honorariums will be recognized in print newsletters and annual reports.
The Community Foundation also provides a meaningful way for loved ones to gather memorial contributions and put them to good use through a Memorial Fund. By working closely with Foundation staff, families and friends can decide together how those gifts will be used—whether to support a cause they care about, establish a lasting fund, or make a one-time grant that reflects the life being honored.
Legacy Society
Members of our Legacy Society have included The Community Foundation in their estate plans. Joining the Legacy Society is easy and there is no minimum gift requirement! Simply share that you plan to include The Community Foundation in your estate plan. Listed below are a few ways to make a planned gift:
In your will (a bequest)
As a beneficiary of an I.R.A
Charitable Remainder Trust
Charitable Gift Annuities
Gifts of Life Insurance
Charitable Lead Trusts
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Legal Name: The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc.
Tax ID: 35-1640051
The Foundation is an IRS nonprofit corporation under the laws of the state of Indiana.Sample Bequest Language
I give to The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the state of Indiana and located in Muncie, Indiana, ____ percent %) of my estate OR the sum of $ _ OR all my right, title, and interest in the following described property: _____ or all rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to be used for the following purposes: ______.
Donor Resources
Fund Portal Guide
Founders of certain funds can access our Fund Portal to view fund balances, grantmaking history, and semi-annual fund statements. To learn how to navigate this system, read our Fund Portal Guide.
Charitable Planning Toolkit
The Community Foundation’s Charitable Planning Toolkit guides professional advisors as you make decisions regarding charitable goals.
Donor Bill of Rights
The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County recognize these basic rights for each and every donor.
Gift Acceptance Policy
The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors annually reviews and approves a Gift Acceptance Policy. This policy is available upon request. Please contact us by calling (765) 747-7181.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When you give to The Community Foundation, you’re investing in the future of Muncie and Delaware County. Your gift goes beyond a one-time donation — it becomes part of the community’s endowment - an enduring source of charitable support that grows over time. We pool gifts together and carefully invest them, so the impact lasts for generations.
But it's not just about the numbers — it’s about creating opportunities for Muncie and Delaware County. Through grants, scholarships, and community leadership, your gift supports vital programs that improve education, enhance the arts, strengthen human services, and so much more.
By giving through The Community Foundation, you can:
Support a variety of causes you care about with one gift.
Create a lasting legacy that benefits the community today, tomorrow, and always.
Join forces with other donors to amplify your impact.
Your gift becomes part of a shared effort to build a community where people choose to live, work, and play. Together, we can make Muncie and Delaware County a better place for all.
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At The Community Foundation, we believe in sustainable, long-term impact. Here’s how we make sure your gift continues to create change for generations to come:
Endowment Model: When you give to an endowed fund, your gift is invested carefully to grow over time. A portion of the earnings is used to support community needs each year, while the original gift remains intact — meaning your impact lasts forever.
Thoughtful Stewardship: Our Board of Directors and volunteer committees oversee how funds are used, ensuring each grant, scholarship, or investment aligns with community needs and donor intent.
Accountability & Transparency: We provide regular updates and reports on the impact of your gift. You’ll see how your generosity fuels local change through grants, scholarships, and community initiatives.
Your gift doesn't just make a difference today — it creates a legacy that will support future generations. By trusting The Community Foundation with your philanthropy, you’re ensuring that Muncie and Delaware County will continue to grow, thrive, and adapt to new challenges over time.
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The Community Foundation is committed to funding projects that enhance the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County. Nonprofits can apply for funding through our Community Grants Program, which supports projects in five key areas:
Arts & Culture
Community Betterment
Economic Development
Education
Human Services
Grant applications are thoughtfully reviewed by volunteer committees of residents who live or work in Delaware County. These volunteers bring diverse perspectives and community knowledge to the process. After review, the committee recommends funding to our Board of Directors. Each year, The Community Foundation awards more than $1.5 million in Community Grants.
Community Grants are funded through a combination of unrestricted funds (gifts that give us flexibility to respond to emerging community needs) and field of interest funds (gifts designated to support specific areas of impact, like education or the arts).
In addition to Community Grants, the Foundation also facilitates funding tied directly to donor intent. This includes:
Scholarships that support students on their educational journeys
Designated Endowments that benefit specific nonprofit organizations
Donor-Advised Funds, where donors recommend grants to causes they care about
Through each of these funding opportunities, we ensure that your generosity creates meaningful, lasting impact in the community.
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Using the Foundation to give is personal, simple and flexible. Because the legal tools are already in place, and existing forms are available, a fund can be established - and all applicable tax advantages can be obtained - in a very short time.
There are many ways to give to the Foundation. Working with your professional advisors and our staff, we can help you identify how your resources can best be put to use to provide you with financial benefit and meet your charitable goals. Utilizing specific types of gifts such as life insurance, charitable trusts and establishing certain types of funds like unrestricted or donor advised funds can provide financial benefits and tax advantages.
Just as each of our donors is unique, each donor’s giving decisions impact their financial and tax benefits. Contact us today to discuss the ways that we can help maximize your advantages through your gift.
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The Community Foundation is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors — nine community-minded volunteers who live right here in Delaware County. They provide thoughtful oversight and approve investment policy and grantmaking decisions to ensure your gifts are making the biggest impact.
We also have volunteer committees made up of individuals with specialized expertise and lived community experience. These respective committees carefully review investment performance and grant requests, offering recommendations to the Board as an added layer of guidance and accountability.
Together, these committed volunteers ensure your generosity fuels meaningful change in Muncie and Delaware County — today, tomorrow, and always.How can I stay updated on the impact of my gift and the Foundation’s work?
Your generosity is making a lasting impact, and we want you to see it in action! Here’s how you can stay connected:
Weekly Email Updates: Sign up here to receive inspiring stories and timely updates directly to your inbox.
Social Media: Follow us on Facebook for real-time highlights, community success stories, and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
Quarterly Print Publications: Prefer something in hand? Contact us here to receive our quarterly print newsletter, filled with stories of local impact and donor recognition.
We’re committed to showing you the difference your generosity makes — today, tomorrow, and always.
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Creating a fund with The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County is a powerful way to make a lasting impact on the community you care about. Here’s why it’s a smart and meaningful choice:
Enduring Impact: Your fund becomes a part of a permanent endowment, ensuring your charitable legacy supports the community today, tomorrow, and always.
Flexibility and Customization: We work with you to create a fund that reflects your values, passions, and giving priorities. Whether you want to support a specific cause or provide broad community support, we’ll tailor the fund to meet your goals.
Professional Stewardship: Our experienced team handles all administrative details, from managing investments to processing grants, so you can focus on the joy of giving.
Local Expertise: As a trusted local partner, we have deep insight into the needs and opportunities in Muncie and Delaware County. Your giving will have the greatest possible impact.
Tax Benefits: Gifts to The Community Foundation qualify for maximum tax advantages, helping you make the most of your generosity.
Community Connection: Join a network of local philanthropists who believe in the power of collective giving. Together, we’re building a community where people choose to live, work, and play.
By establishing a fund with The Community Foundation, you’re not just giving a gift—you’re creating a legacy. Ready to get started? Contact us to learn more.
