$100,000 in grants were awarded to four independent colleges in Indiana supporting innovative, start-up projects
Four Indiana independent colleges are the winners of the 2025 Ball Venture Fund competitive grant program: Indiana Institute of Technology, Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College, Trine University and University of Saint Francis. They will share $100,000 in seed funding for initiatives to stimulate creativity and innovation and foster competition and collaboration among the state’s 29 private, non-profit campuses.
Established by the Ball Brothers Foundation (Muncie) and administered by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the Ball Venture Fund received 28 proposals this year. Recipients were selected by a panel of judges that included representatives from the Ball Brothers Foundation and members of the ICI Presidents Council.
Indiana Institute of Technology (Fort Wayne) will apply its $25,000 to the Digital Empowerment for Seniors program to educate about the evolving digital world. The approach will blend in-person instruction with AI-drive personalization to tailor services to seniors and provide scalable support. The innovative model aims to bridge digital divides and help seniors stay connected, informed and engaged.
Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College (Indianapolis) will use its $25,000 to expand the Earn and Learn program with the purchase of a Smart Factory Skill Boss. The two-year program integrates academics in the classroom with paid, real-world work experience to equip students with hands-on skills and industry-recognized certifications in high-demand fields.
Trine University (Angola) will direct its $25,000 to outfit an Immersive Room within the Brooks College of Health Professions’ Simulation Hospital. As a part of addressing the shortage of healthcare workers, the technology purchases will enable students to complete hands-on training scenarios, as if they were in an operating room or intensive care unit.
University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne) will apply its $25,000 to the Pathways to Healthcare Professionals program in Lafayette with a focus on the Licensed Practical Nurse diploma program. The grant will help equip a new building with an Automated Medication Dispenser along with other renovations of the building to launch the program and begin recruiting students.