Ball State University’s Women of Beneficence, recognized as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)-Indiana Chapter’s 2023 Philanthropy Group of the Year, has awarded its annual round of grants to faculty and staff members. The grants, announced during the group’s annual meeting on March 19 at the Ball State Alumni Center, will support projects focused on child development, food security, and community outreach for Parkinson’s Disease.
The 2025 grant recipients and their projects are:
- Dr. Ophélie Desmet, assistant professor of educational psychology: Spotting Stars: Empowering Children Through Nurturing Talent and Social-Emotional Growth, a children’s book series promoting social-emotional development.
- Dr. Joshua Gruver, associate professor of natural resources and environmental management: Working Toward Food Security in East Central Indiana, a community-based food security assessment supporting a mobile farmers market.
- Dr. Melissa McGrath, assistant professor of speech-language pathology: Student Outreach for Parkinson’s Disease, an initiative expanding student-led support for individuals and care partners affected by Parkinson’s.
“We are thrilled to be able to fund these projects for these outstanding faculty and staff members who offer students Immersive Learning and leadership experiences,” said Sharon Haynes, Women of Beneficence president. “Each year our members continue to be so impressed with the quality of these projects that are true examples of Ball State’s pledge of beneficence.”
- Spotting Stars develops a culturally responsive children’s book series that provides families and educators with tools for nurturing social-emotional skills and talent recognition. Grant: $23,500.
- Working Toward Food Security creates a community-based food security assessment to support East Central Indiana’s mobile farmers market. Grant: $21,000.
- Student Outreach for Parkinson’s Disease expands Ball State’s Speech-Language Pathology program to offer student-led support for individuals and care partners affected by Parkinson’s. Grant: $26,000.
Women of Beneficence awards grants of up to $30,000 annually to Ball State faculty and staff. Since its founding in 2002, the group, formerly known as Discovery, has awarded more than $1 million to University projects that create meaningful community impact.