The Community Foundation's David Sursa Leadership Award 2025 Finalists Announced

Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County recognizes the following finalists for the 2025 David Sursa Leadership Award: Keith Doudt, Urban Light Community Development Corporation; Brad King, Muncie Land Bank; Michael Lunsford, YMCA of Muncie; and Kim Miller, Muncie Arts and Culture Council.

The David Sursa Leadership Award was established in memory of the Foundation's first board leader. As inaugural President, David Sursa blazed the trail for The Community Foundation. His visionary leadership contributed significantly to the Foundation's success and the generous support it has provided to our community. The annual program rewards, recognizes, and encourages extraordinary nonprofit leadership by a board member displaying the characteristics and commitment to the community expressed by Mr. Sursa during his lifetime.

The Foundation reviews nominations for impactful community leaders who deserve recognition each year. We are pleased to recognize the finalists for this year’s award.

Keith Doudt, Urban Light Community Development Corporation

Urban Light CDC nominated Keith Doudt in recognition of his outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication as a board member. Keith joined the Urban Light board in 2022. He quickly rose to serve as vice president in 2023 and has served as president since 2024. In his first year, Keith attended as many board meetings and program-based activities as he could to fully understand the scope of the organization and how he could best contribute. He is known to show up first and leave last and is willing to tackle any needed task, from cleaning up after a neighborhood cookout to working through fundraising strategies. Keith’s action as a member of the Urban Light board and his long history of both professional and volunteer service in the nonprofit sector truly exemplify a spirit of service and leadership.

About Urban Light CDC

Urban Light Community Development Corporation engages in targeted neighborhood and community development in Muncie’s South Central, Industry and surrounding neighborhoods. Their work includes the Lighthouse Recovery Home, housing revitalization, and neighborhood engagement.

Brad King, Muncie Land Bank

While only established in 2018, Brad King’s commitment to what would become the Muncie Land Bank dates back more than 15 years. He advocated and provided guidance on favorable land banking legislation. He served as the organization’s founding vice chair from 2018 through 2023 and has been chair since. He has been deeply engaged in shaping the governance, policies, and strategic direction. He has worked diligently to ensure transparency for the organization and advocated for the Muncie Land Bank as it faced local opposition. Brad’s professional experience in urban planning, housing development, and placemaking, paired with his personal dedication to grassroots community development, makes him an extraordinary leader for Muncie Land Bank.

About Muncie Land Bank

Muncie Land Bank acquires abandoned and blighted property and preserves it so that it can be utilized for strategic redevelopment. The Land Bank partners with nonprofits, developers and community groups for strategic redevelopment projects that align with neighborhood revitalization goals.

Michael Lunsford, YMCA of Muncie

The YMCA recently completed a $30+ million capital campaign to build a new facility. Mike Lunsford led as campaign co-chair where he forged strategic partnerships with facility collaborators that will enhance services within the facility, fundraised to surpass financial goals for the campaign and for long-term sustainability of the Y, and played a vital role in bringing the YMCA’s facility to fruition. Mike’s contribution to the campaign is just the most recent leadership he has exhibited for the YMCA. He served as a board member for more than a decade. When his term on the board was up, he remained a dedicated advocate and supporter. He’s demonstrated this same integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to making a difference through service to a variety of other organizations across the community.

About YMCA of Muncie

The YMCA of Muncie strengthens the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The YMCA of Muncie provides health and fitness opportunities to residents of all ages, supports youth through early childhood education, out of school programming and residential and day camps, and meets community needs through a variety of specialized programs.

Kim Miller, MuncieArts (Muncie Arts and Culture Council)

Kim Miller leads MuncieArts with enthusiasm, confidence, and focus. Since joining the board in 2022, MuncieArts has experienced several transitions, including the unexpected resignation of a board chair and the transition of the executive director. Kim shifted from the vice chair to chair role in 2024. Until a new director was hired, Kim stepped up to ensure active projects continued, including fundraising for the new executive director position, coordinating consultants managing $500,000 in public arts funded through the city’s American Rescue Fund grant, championing additional public art for Ivy Tech and Muncie Civic Theatre, and more. Leading during transition can be challenging, but Kim leads with a collaboration-first mentality, followed by the courage to make difficult decisions. Kim’s commitment as a board member is a model for others.

About MuncieArts

MuncieArts (Muncie Arts and Culture Council) was formed in 2009. Its mission is to champion arts and culture experiences, public art, and a thriving community of artists and allies in Muncie, Indiana.

The recipient of the 2025 David Sursa Leadership Award will be named later this month.

For more information about the David Sursa Leadership Award, please visit The Community Foundation's website at cfmdin.org or contact Marcy Minton, President & CEO, at mminton@cfmdin.org.