Ball State University’s Women of Beneficence has awarded its annual round of grants to Ball State faculty and staff members.
The grants, announced during the group’s annual meeting at the Ball State Alumni Center, will support projects focused on school gardening, teacher preparation, and middle school literacy. The 2026 grant recipients and their projects are:
- Amy Miller, “Burris Laboratory School Garden,” which will establish vegetable and flower gardens involving Burris students in grades K–12, with support from Ball State pre-service teachers. The project is designed to provide hands-on learning in plant science, mathematics, community service, responsibility, and entrepreneurship while also sharing produce and other garden output with the Muncie and Burris communities. Ms. Miller is an instructor of secondary science at Burris. Grant request: $20,000.
- Dr. Sinead Meehan and Janet Jenkins, “Resource Room for Teachers College Pre-Service Teachers,” which will provide education majors at Ball State with equitable access to essential classroom materials to help them design and deliver high-quality instruction during practicum and student-teaching experiences in local schools. The project emphasizes scholarship, integrity, respect, and social responsibility in keeping with Ball State’s model of Beneficence. Dr. Meehan is an assistant professor of elementary education and Ms. Jenkins is an assistant lecturer of elementary education, both at Ball State’s Teachers College. Grant request: $27,400.
- Dr. Pamela Hartman, “Cardinal Corner Middle School Book Club,” which will establish sustainable book clubs for students at Muncie Northside and Southside Middle Schools. The initiative aims to promote independent reading, strengthen vocabulary, improve writing ability, sustain focus, and encourage stronger comprehension, while also helping Ball State students develop the skills needed to lead and inspire young readers. Dr. Hartman is a professor of English at Ball State’s College of Sciences and Humanities. Grant request: $20,798.
“The Women of Beneficence are proud to support projects that reflect Ball State’s strategic vision by creating meaningful learning opportunities for students while strengthening our community,” said Betsy Ross, ’72, Women of Beneficence president. “These grants help advance innovative ideas from our faculty and staff that embody the spirit of Beneficence and extend the University’s impact well beyond campus.”
Women of Beneficence awards grants of up to $30,000 to Ball State faculty and staff. Since being established in 2002, the group has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants and supported more than 65 projects and programs at Ball State. Formerly known as Discovery, Women of Beneficence was created to support and fund innovative projects and programs that impact students while benefiting local, national, and international communities. In 2023, the group was recognized as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)-Indiana Chapter’s Philanthropy Group of the Year.
To learn more about Women of Beneficence, including how to become a member and support future grants, visit the organization’s webpage or contact Lola Mauer, associate vice president of engagement and strategy for the Ball State University Foundation, at 765-285-2869 or lrmauer@bsu.edu.