December 22, 2025 • 11 mins
Want to see how small grants make big things happen? We sit down with Teresa from the Grandville Walker Foundation to unpack a simple, powerful model for local impact in Walker and Grandville. From funding a refrigerator that expands Senior Neighbors’ capacity at the Walker Center to backing a music garden near the library and exploring support for a Johnson Park-connected bike trail, these $500–$2,500 grants deliver real results you can visit, use, and feel.
We walk through exactly how the foundation works: two grant cycles per year, a clear focus on projects that directly benefit residents in Walker or Grandville, and a practical approach that helps nonprofits close funding gaps and get to “done.” Teresa shares what the board looks for—impact on a larger number of people, readiness to execute, and alignment with improving quality of life—and why early applications help the board collaborate with applicants and strengthen proposals. If you’re leading a local nonprofit or community initiative, you’ll get concrete guidance on preparing to apply and timing your request for the spring window.
We also talk funding and growth: how small donations, legacy gifts, and community fundraisers like a new 50/50 raffle fuel the foundation’s work, and why no gift is too small. Teresa opens up about her motivation to serve, the board’s low time commitment, and the skills that can make a difference right now—marketing, legal, outreach, and simple willingness to show up. Along the way, we highlight the power of placemaking: trails, parks, and gathering spaces that knit neighborhoods together and make daily life better.
If you care about local change, this conversation offers a roadmap. Learn where your project fits, how to give in a way that matters, and what it feels like to hand a check to neighbors doing vital work. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves community, and email us your thoughts or project ideas at podcast@walker.city.
If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY
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Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:07):
Welcome to Maiden Walker, a podcast that connects
you to the people, the stories,and the ideas shaping our
community.
From local innovators toeveryday change makers, we're
diving deep into what makesWalker a great place to live,
work, and grow.
Here's your host, NicoleDiDonato.
SPEAKER_01 (00:26):
Did you know that the communities of Walker and
Grandville have a combinedcommunity foundation, and
they're doing great things inboth of those cities?
I am here with Teresa, who ispart of the Grandville Walker
Foundation board.
Thank you so much for being heretoday.
Thanks for inviting us.
Yes, yeah, and I also want tokind of preface that I am on the
board as well, very new member,but more of the city liaison for
(00:48):
the city of Walker.
You are part of the city ofGranville.
And tell us kind of what you dofor the city there.
SPEAKER_02 (00:55):
For the city, I work for the Downtown Development
Authority.
So I've been with the city alittle over 11 years, but um was
asked to join the GranvilleWalker Foundation a couple of
years ago.
Um newer member, I think I'vebeen on about a year and a half
now.
Um and it connects in many waysto the role and just to the love
that I have for Granville andour neighboring cities where we
(01:17):
all live and work and grow.
SPEAKER_01 (01:19):
Yes, yes, wonderful.
And the foundation's been aroundsince about 2016.
And tell us how it typicallyworks for this foundation.
SPEAKER_02 (01:28):
So we have, I believe, five members of the
foundation.
Um we spend the year with abasically a monthly meeting, um,
and then we fundraise indifferent capacities, and then
we do do two rounds of grant umapplications.
So in the spring and then againin the fall for area nonprofits,
(01:49):
area placemaking, anythingthat's going to improve life for
the residents and citizens thatlive in Granville and Walker.
SPEAKER_01 (01:57):
Yeah, and it's a wonderful, um, you know,
wonderful mission that it has,and love that it's very super
local as well for the residents.
What are some of the nonprofitsthat have been uh benefited from
these grants over the years?
SPEAKER_02 (02:10):
Well, since I have been here, I know that we have
given a grant to Hand to Hand,which does the food for the kids
in the schools, the HumaneSociety, and Senior Neighbors, I
believe, has gotten a grant ortwo.
We did in Granville aplacemaking project with a music
garden outside of our library.
And so the Grandville WalkerFoundation has their name on
(02:32):
that donor board.
Um, and Meals on Wheels, Ibelieve we've also done a grant
for.
And I'm sure that since 2016they've done many other
organizations, but those are theones that are fresh in my mind.
SPEAKER_01 (02:43):
Yes.
And for folks, maybe if theyhaven't um, you know, for
nonprofits, haven't heard muchabout this, where do they
usually can find informationwhen it comes to this?
SPEAKER_02 (02:52):
Well, uh, Granville Walker Foundation actually has a
website and an online presence.
So if you just Google GranvilleWalker Foundation, um, you
should find the applicationthere if you would like to
apply.
We're in our current fall roundof applications.
Those will be winding up heresoon.
But then we also do a springround of applications.
SPEAKER_01 (03:09):
And elaborate a little bit more for nonprofits
who may be interested or justwondering if the project I have
is worthy of a grant.
What typically does the boardlook for when it comes to
qualifications?
SPEAKER_02 (03:21):
Um the board is going to look for that your
actual business, nonprofit, orwhatever it is that you're doing
lands in Walker or Granvillefirst and foremost.
And then that it affects alarger number of people.
We don't give grants toindividuals, um, that it
improves the quality of life inone way or another for the
(03:41):
residents of Granville orWalker.
And our typical grants that wegive are between 500 and 2,500.
So we're not giving$50,000grants out.
Um, but when you're on a projectand you're looking for five or
ten thousand, a$1,500 or$2,000grant can really help get you to
that level that you need to beat.
SPEAKER_01 (04:00):
Yeah, and I think specifically just recently, um,
senior neighbors they had uhreceived a grant for a
refrigerator that's just able tohouse, you know, more supplies
for the folks that they uh thatthey care for, and that is in
the the Walker Center as well.
So great.
SPEAKER_02 (04:16):
I think one of them currently that we're looking at
is the new bike trail.
Oh, yeah.
Um, connected to Johnson Park.
Yeah.
Um, so I don't know a lot ofspecifics with that, but I did
see that one come through.
So it doesn't always have to belike a brick and mortar
nonprofit, it can also beplacemaking in either Walker or
Granville and areas for peopleto be able to gather and enjoy
(04:36):
community.
SPEAKER_01 (04:37):
And how does the money and it come into the
foundation?
And this is uh something thatwe're trying to grow as an
investment and such.
SPEAKER_02 (04:44):
Yep.
So um we take all amounts ofdonations.
There's no donation that is toosmall, and you can give right on
the website.
Um, we also accept legacy gifts.
And so if you have lived yourentire life in Granville or
Walker and you don't havesomewhere else to give that
money, um this if you give it tothe Walker Foundation, Granville
Walker Foundation, it will beused to continue to improve the
(05:05):
quality of life in both of thosetowns.
And then as a board, we do a lotof fundraisers throughout the
year.
So um smaller fundraisers,larger fundraisers.
We just started this last year.
We connected with the city ofGranville on their 4th of July
festivities and started a 50-50raffle.
So it was our first year for the50-50 raffle.
50% of the winnings went to orthe the money raised went to the
(05:29):
raffle ticket winner that wasdrawn.
And then we split the additional50% with the city of Granville
to offset costs for the 4th ofJuly celebration and then with
the foundation.
So this year I think we raisedaround 6,000 total in ticket
sales, um, which is not bad fora first year, and we hope to
grow that.
And we are always looking fornew members of the board,
(05:50):
volunteers for the fundraising.
Sometimes it's just getting theright number of people out there
selling or promoting to increasethose numbers and be able to
make an impact.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (06:01):
And you were mentioning specifically why you
joined the board.
Why was it so um, you know, soimportant to be part of this
initiative and to even help itgrow?
SPEAKER_02 (06:11):
I love Granville.
I we have raised our familyhere.
Um we moved into Granville whenwe were pregnant with our first
child, and he is now um 22, andit's just a really good place to
live and grow a family.
There's strong schools, strongparks, strong community events.
Um, and the municipalities workreally, really well together.
(06:34):
And Walker being so closelyconnected with us.
So as our children startedgraduating from high school and
I had a little bit more time andwanted to join a board, this
felt like one that connects withwhat I already do.
I already give so much of who Iam in my profession for this
city to grow it.
And so if I'm gonna be on aboard, um, I just kind of wanted
(06:54):
to carry that through.
SPEAKER_01 (06:56):
Yes.
And for you know, someone whomay be thinking about wanting to
make an impact, whether theyneed whether they're residents
of uh Granville or Walker, whatis the time commitment for
serving on this board?
SPEAKER_02 (07:07):
It's low.
So if you need to be on a board,please come join us because we
are a really fun group.
SPEAKER_01 (07:13):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (07:13):
We basically meet once a month, um, usually
Thursday mornings from eightuntil nine, the meetings are an
hour.
Um, but I believe we takeDecember off, and I don't think
we meet um in July.
So it's about 10 times a yearthat we have a meeting and then
the fundraising opportunities,which generally, except for the
4th of July, um, a couple ofboard members may go and you
(07:34):
know sell balloons at an eventor um do something small at
another event.
So yeah, if you're looking for aboard to join, we would love a
legal presence, a marketingindividual.
Um we have quite a fewfinancial, but there's so many
different gifts people can bringto a board.
And just having more than fivemembers, um it expands the
(07:55):
amount of fundraising we can doand um just getting the word out
there that we actually do existbecause we're a smaller board, a
newer board.
I think a lot of people don'tknow, but it is not unusual for
cities to have these foundationsum to give back and grow their
communities.
Yes, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (08:12):
And how has it uh felt for you in the the you know
the the short time that you'vebeen on it so far?
Seeing the impact, seeing theseorganizations, receiving these
grants.
What has that been like?
SPEAKER_02 (08:22):
I've enjoyed it.
It's really good when you canshow up at a nonprofit and have
a check for$2,000 and thank themfor the work that they are doing
on a daily basis in ourcommunities.
And I think it just helps peoplefeel like there's other people
in this with you and we care andwe want you to succeed.
Yeah, it's a very feel-goodboard to be on.
SPEAKER_01 (08:43):
It is like you said, low commitment, but you know,
looking for doers, looking forfolks with all kinds of diverse
background who love theircommunities of Walker in
Granville and seeing what theycan do to kind of bring it to
the next level.
So we wanted to um go over againhow folks, if they want to
either apply for grant ordonate, where all can they do
that at?
SPEAKER_02 (09:03):
Um Google Granville Walker Foundation.
There is a website.
Um I'm remiss in not knowingwhich other social media
platforms we actually have, butI know that there is a tab right
on the website where you candonate.
And the application for thegrants are also on there.
So as I said, we're finishing upour fall round of grant
(09:23):
applications.
But if you are interested, umlook for that in the spring.
I would get on in January,February, look for the
application, get it submitted.
That gives us time if we haveany questions to follow up and
circle back around and helppeople if they might be missing
things on that.
SPEAKER_01 (09:38):
Yeah, Teresa, love your passion, your excitement
for this.
Uh, of course, no project is toosmall for for an impact like
this and for that.
SPEAKER_02 (09:47):
So no donation.
Yeah.
I always think, man, ifeverybody gave$5, imagine where
that would go.
And I think so often we think,well, that's not enough, so I
won't do anything.
Um, but even small amounts or umalways looking for volunteers
too.
So even if you say I don't wantthe commitment of joining a
board, but if you have afundraiser coming up or you have
(10:08):
an activity and you need umextra hands, um, we would love
to start collecting a list ofpeople who would like to be
involved even on that smallerscale to make a difference.
That's a great point.
SPEAKER_01 (10:18):
So thank you so much for your time and explaining uh
what all Grandville Walker doesfor both of these wonderful
communities.
So we certainly do appreciateit, Teresa.
Thanks.
Thank you for having me.
Of course, and thank you fortuning in as well.
SPEAKER_00 (10:32):
Thank you for joining us for this episode of
the Maiden Walker Podcast.
If you have comments orquestions about this podcast, or
if you have suggestions forfuture episodes, we'd love to
hear from you.
Please drop us an email atpodcast at walker.city.
Maiden Walker is the officialpodcast of the city of Walker,
Michigan.
(10:52):
You can find Maiden Walkerwherever you get your podcasts.
Welcome to Maiden Walker, a podcast that connects
you to the people, the stories,and the ideas shaping our
community.
From local innovators toeveryday change makers, we're
diving deep into what makesWalker a great place to live,
work, and grow.
Here's your host, NicoleDiDonato.
SPEAKER_01 (00:26):
Did you know that the communities of Walker and
Grandville have a combinedcommunity foundation, and
they're doing great things inboth of those cities?
I am here with Teresa, who ispart of the Grandville Walker
Foundation board.
Thank you so much for being heretoday.
Thanks for inviting us.
Yes, yeah, and I also want tokind of preface that I am on the
board as well, very new member,but more of the city liaison for
(00:48):
the city of Walker.
You are part of the city ofGranville.
And tell us kind of what you dofor the city there.
SPEAKER_02 (00:55):
For the city, I work for the Downtown Development
Authority.
So I've been with the city alittle over 11 years, but um was
asked to join the GranvilleWalker Foundation a couple of
years ago.
Um newer member, I think I'vebeen on about a year and a half
now.
Um and it connects in many waysto the role and just to the love
that I have for Granville andour neighboring cities where we
(01:17):
all live and work and grow.
SPEAKER_01 (01:19):
Yes, yes, wonderful.
And the foundation's been aroundsince about 2016.
And tell us how it typicallyworks for this foundation.
SPEAKER_02 (01:28):
So we have, I believe, five members of the
foundation.
Um we spend the year with abasically a monthly meeting, um,
and then we fundraise indifferent capacities, and then
we do do two rounds of grant umapplications.
So in the spring and then againin the fall for area nonprofits,
(01:49):
area placemaking, anythingthat's going to improve life for
the residents and citizens thatlive in Granville and Walker.
SPEAKER_01 (01:57):
Yeah, and it's a wonderful, um, you know,
wonderful mission that it has,and love that it's very super
local as well for the residents.
What are some of the nonprofitsthat have been uh benefited from
these grants over the years?
SPEAKER_02 (02:10):
Well, since I have been here, I know that we have
given a grant to Hand to Hand,which does the food for the kids
in the schools, the HumaneSociety, and Senior Neighbors, I
believe, has gotten a grant ortwo.
We did in Granville aplacemaking project with a music
garden outside of our library.
And so the Grandville WalkerFoundation has their name on
(02:32):
that donor board.
Um, and Meals on Wheels, Ibelieve we've also done a grant
for.
And I'm sure that since 2016they've done many other
organizations, but those are theones that are fresh in my mind.
SPEAKER_01 (02:43):
Yes.
And for folks, maybe if theyhaven't um, you know, for
nonprofits, haven't heard muchabout this, where do they
usually can find informationwhen it comes to this?
SPEAKER_02 (02:52):
Well, uh, Granville Walker Foundation actually has a
website and an online presence.
So if you just Google GranvilleWalker Foundation, um, you
should find the applicationthere if you would like to
apply.
We're in our current fall roundof applications.
Those will be winding up heresoon.
But then we also do a springround of applications.
SPEAKER_01 (03:09):
And elaborate a little bit more for nonprofits
who may be interested or justwondering if the project I have
is worthy of a grant.
What typically does the boardlook for when it comes to
qualifications?
SPEAKER_02 (03:21):
Um the board is going to look for that your
actual business, nonprofit, orwhatever it is that you're doing
lands in Walker or Granvillefirst and foremost.
And then that it affects alarger number of people.
We don't give grants toindividuals, um, that it
improves the quality of life inone way or another for the
(03:41):
residents of Granville orWalker.
And our typical grants that wegive are between 500 and 2,500.
So we're not giving$50,000grants out.
Um, but when you're on a projectand you're looking for five or
ten thousand, a$1,500 or$2,000grant can really help get you to
that level that you need to beat.
SPEAKER_01 (04:00):
Yeah, and I think specifically just recently, um,
senior neighbors they had uhreceived a grant for a
refrigerator that's just able tohouse, you know, more supplies
for the folks that they uh thatthey care for, and that is in
the the Walker Center as well.
So great.
SPEAKER_02 (04:16):
I think one of them currently that we're looking at
is the new bike trail.
Oh, yeah.
Um, connected to Johnson Park.
Yeah.
Um, so I don't know a lot ofspecifics with that, but I did
see that one come through.
So it doesn't always have to belike a brick and mortar
nonprofit, it can also beplacemaking in either Walker or
Granville and areas for peopleto be able to gather and enjoy
(04:36):
community.
SPEAKER_01 (04:37):
And how does the money and it come into the
foundation?
And this is uh something thatwe're trying to grow as an
investment and such.
SPEAKER_02 (04:44):
Yep.
So um we take all amounts ofdonations.
There's no donation that is toosmall, and you can give right on
the website.
Um, we also accept legacy gifts.
And so if you have lived yourentire life in Granville or
Walker and you don't havesomewhere else to give that
money, um this if you give it tothe Walker Foundation, Granville
Walker Foundation, it will beused to continue to improve the
(05:05):
quality of life in both of thosetowns.
And then as a board, we do a lotof fundraisers throughout the
year.
So um smaller fundraisers,larger fundraisers.
We just started this last year.
We connected with the city ofGranville on their 4th of July
festivities and started a 50-50raffle.
So it was our first year for the50-50 raffle.
50% of the winnings went to orthe the money raised went to the
(05:29):
raffle ticket winner that wasdrawn.
And then we split the additional50% with the city of Granville
to offset costs for the 4th ofJuly celebration and then with
the foundation.
So this year I think we raisedaround 6,000 total in ticket
sales, um, which is not bad fora first year, and we hope to
grow that.
And we are always looking fornew members of the board,
(05:50):
volunteers for the fundraising.
Sometimes it's just getting theright number of people out there
selling or promoting to increasethose numbers and be able to
make an impact.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (06:01):
And you were mentioning specifically why you
joined the board.
Why was it so um, you know, soimportant to be part of this
initiative and to even help itgrow?
SPEAKER_02 (06:11):
I love Granville.
I we have raised our familyhere.
Um we moved into Granville whenwe were pregnant with our first
child, and he is now um 22, andit's just a really good place to
live and grow a family.
There's strong schools, strongparks, strong community events.
Um, and the municipalities workreally, really well together.
(06:34):
And Walker being so closelyconnected with us.
So as our children startedgraduating from high school and
I had a little bit more time andwanted to join a board, this
felt like one that connects withwhat I already do.
I already give so much of who Iam in my profession for this
city to grow it.
And so if I'm gonna be on aboard, um, I just kind of wanted
(06:54):
to carry that through.
SPEAKER_01 (06:56):
Yes.
And for you know, someone whomay be thinking about wanting to
make an impact, whether theyneed whether they're residents
of uh Granville or Walker, whatis the time commitment for
serving on this board?
SPEAKER_02 (07:07):
It's low.
So if you need to be on a board,please come join us because we
are a really fun group.
SPEAKER_01 (07:13):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (07:13):
We basically meet once a month, um, usually
Thursday mornings from eightuntil nine, the meetings are an
hour.
Um, but I believe we takeDecember off, and I don't think
we meet um in July.
So it's about 10 times a yearthat we have a meeting and then
the fundraising opportunities,which generally, except for the
4th of July, um, a couple ofboard members may go and you
(07:34):
know sell balloons at an eventor um do something small at
another event.
So yeah, if you're looking for aboard to join, we would love a
legal presence, a marketingindividual.
Um we have quite a fewfinancial, but there's so many
different gifts people can bringto a board.
And just having more than fivemembers, um it expands the
(07:55):
amount of fundraising we can doand um just getting the word out
there that we actually do existbecause we're a smaller board, a
newer board.
I think a lot of people don'tknow, but it is not unusual for
cities to have these foundationsum to give back and grow their
communities.
Yes, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (08:12):
And how has it uh felt for you in the the you know
the the short time that you'vebeen on it so far?
Seeing the impact, seeing theseorganizations, receiving these
grants.
What has that been like?
SPEAKER_02 (08:22):
I've enjoyed it.
It's really good when you canshow up at a nonprofit and have
a check for$2,000 and thank themfor the work that they are doing
on a daily basis in ourcommunities.
And I think it just helps peoplefeel like there's other people
in this with you and we care andwe want you to succeed.
Yeah, it's a very feel-goodboard to be on.
SPEAKER_01 (08:43):
It is like you said, low commitment, but you know,
looking for doers, looking forfolks with all kinds of diverse
background who love theircommunities of Walker in
Granville and seeing what theycan do to kind of bring it to
the next level.
So we wanted to um go over againhow folks, if they want to
either apply for grant ordonate, where all can they do
that at?
SPEAKER_02 (09:03):
Um Google Granville Walker Foundation.
There is a website.
Um I'm remiss in not knowingwhich other social media
platforms we actually have, butI know that there is a tab right
on the website where you candonate.
And the application for thegrants are also on there.
So as I said, we're finishing upour fall round of grant
(09:23):
applications.
But if you are interested, umlook for that in the spring.
I would get on in January,February, look for the
application, get it submitted.
That gives us time if we haveany questions to follow up and
circle back around and helppeople if they might be missing
things on that.
SPEAKER_01 (09:38):
Yeah, Teresa, love your passion, your excitement
for this.
Uh, of course, no project is toosmall for for an impact like
this and for that.
SPEAKER_02 (09:47):
So no donation.
Yeah.
I always think, man, ifeverybody gave$5, imagine where
that would go.
And I think so often we think,well, that's not enough, so I
won't do anything.
Um, but even small amounts or umalways looking for volunteers
too.
So even if you say I don't wantthe commitment of joining a
board, but if you have afundraiser coming up or you have
(10:08):
an activity and you need umextra hands, um, we would love
to start collecting a list ofpeople who would like to be
involved even on that smallerscale to make a difference.
That's a great point.
SPEAKER_01 (10:18):
So thank you so much for your time and explaining uh
what all Grandville Walker doesfor both of these wonderful
communities.
So we certainly do appreciateit, Teresa.
Thanks.
Thank you for having me.
Of course, and thank you fortuning in as well.
SPEAKER_00 (10:32):
Thank you for joining us for this episode of
the Maiden Walker Podcast.
If you have comments orquestions about this podcast, or
if you have suggestions forfuture episodes, we'd love to
hear from you.
Please drop us an email atpodcast at walker.city.
Maiden Walker is the officialpodcast of the city of Walker,
Michigan.
(10:52):
You can find Maiden Walkerwherever you get your podcasts.
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