The Granville Walker Foundation, which serves both Walker and Granville, provides small, targeted grants to local nonprofits and community placemaking efforts, a foundation board member said in an interview on the Made in Walker podcast.

Teresa, a member of the Granville Walker Foundation board and a staffer with the Downtown Development Authority in Granville, said the foundation has operated since about 2016 and is run by roughly five volunteer members who meet monthly and run two application rounds each year. "Our typical grants that we give are between 500 and 2,500," Teresa said. She added that the board does not award grants to individuals and prioritizes projects that benefit Walker or Granville residents and serve a larger number of people.

Teresa listed several recent recipients and projects: Hand to Hand (which provides food programs for schoolchildren), the local humane society, Senior Neighbors (which received funding for a refrigerator to store supplies at the Walker Center), Meals on Wheels and a music garden placemaking project outside the Granville library. She also mentioned a placemaking grant for a new bike trail connected to Johnson Park as an example of the kinds of projects the foundation supports.

On fundraising, Teresa said the foundation accepts donations in any amount, welcomes legacy gifts and runs local fundraising activities. The foundation piloted a 50/50 raffle tied to Granville's Fourth of July celebration; Teresa said the raffle generated around 6,000 in ticket sales in its first year. She encouraged residents to consider small donations or short-term volunteer help, saying even modest contributions can make a difference.

Teresa said the foundation's application materials are available online: "If you just Google Granville Walker Foundation, you should find the application there," she said. She advised prospective applicants to watch for the spring round (applications typically available in January and February) and to submit early so the board has time to request missing information.

Board recruitment was another focus: Teresa described serving on the board as a low-commitment way to help the community and said the foundation is looking for additional members with a range of skills, including legal and marketing expertise, to expand fundraising and outreach.

The Made in Walker host closed the episode by thanking Teresa and giving listeners the podcast contact (podcast@walker.city). The foundation did not provide a full list of current board members or contact information beyond the website; interested groups should consult the Granville Walker Foundation website for application details and deadlines.