Supporting The Causes That Matter Most

In addition to helping form the Foundation’s early days, David and Mary Jane were passionate about the arts and helped to establish the Muncie Symphony Orchestra itself, as well as the Mary Jane & David Sursa Muncie Symphony Orchestra Fund to support its mission in perpetuity.  

The Sursas held philanthropy close, and they believed in the organizations they helped to establish. From Mary Jane, “I can’t imagine the area without the Foundation, particularly when times have been difficult. It’s probably more important than most of us realize, the good that they do that we wouldn’t know how to do on our own. This gives me a good feeling of satisfaction maybe I’ve helped somebody today.” 

In 2019, Russ began the Wheeler Orchid Collection and Species Bank Fund through the Foundation, after the collection’s original name during his time as curator.  

From Russ, “Individuals and institutions can lose interest or are no longer able to take care of what they have, so these plants could be lost. And the way that habitat destruction is growing, they’re not only lost [locally], but also lost in nature.” His philanthropic gift, and the ongoing support of new donors, will continue to protect these delicate species for years to come.  

While the couple traveled internationally for Gary’s career as a boxing judge, coming home to Muncie after a long trip brought the blessing of many little paws waiting at the door. Seeing the good work that local animal welfare organizations were doing, Lana and Gary chose to pledge a future estate gift through the Foundation’s Legacy Society. Their bequest will be used to establish two new funds: one to benefit Animal Rescue Fund and the other to benefit Best Friends Animal Society, a national nonprofit. While Lana sadly passed away in 2019, her gift will continue to support the wellbeing of rescued animals for years to come.

For Dr. Albert O. Miller, a graduate of Ball State, Indiana Public Radio is a “critically important” cause in keeping our community connected, informed, and educated. In 2012, Al established the Indiana Public Radio Fund, a designated fund that will help support the service for years to come. He was inspired to begin this fund during his lifetime rather than waiting to donate posthumously, and he says that watching the impact of his philanthropy has been “tremendous.” 

Steve chose for his donation to support five existing funds at the Foundation, including Motivate Our Minds Fund, Red-tail Land Conservancy Fund, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc. Fund, and the YWCA Fund. But Steve wanted to do even more with his gift, and he directed part of his donation to be the seed money needed to establish three new funds – the Martin Luther King Dream Team Fund to support the ongoing fight for civil rights, the Muncie OUTreach Fund to support LGBTQ+ youth, and the NAACP Muncie Branch Fund to promote racial equality and justice. Before he passed, Steve was quoted as saying “Well - I don’t guess this world is going to make itself into a better place – so – I guess that it’s just gonna have to be our job.”

Make a Difference

Caring, giving donors are key to developing an enduring source of charitable assets to benefit our community today, tomorrow, and always.