2023 Grant Awards

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The Granville Community Foundation awarded $96,000 in grants this year to not-for-profit support in our community. Each organization is committed to carrying out the GCF mission to bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support the things that really matter to you, and to your neighbors, such as providing supporting cherished community events, launching innovative programs in education, cultivating the arts and helping local families.

A full list of 2023 GCF grant awardees are below.

The Carl Frazier Fund

The Carl Frazier Fund disperses emergency funds to residents who live or work in the Granville Exempted Village School District and are in need of emergency assistance. These needs include, but are not limited to, rent, temporary housing funds, and utility and/or food vouchers as a result of the pandemic crisis. The Carl Frazier Fund is administered through the Licking County Coalition for Housing. To date, GCF has provided over $40,000 in emergency support to the Licking County Coalition for Housing to support individuals and families who live and/or work in Granville.


Bryn Du Commission

The Bryn Du mansion has been an architectural jewel in Granville since it was built in 1865 as a private residence. The mansion and its outbuildings and grounds now serve as a gathering space for both community and private events including cultural exhibitions, art classes, polo matches, community sporting events, concerts and more. A grant from the Community Foundation this year was made as part of the Barn Raising Campaign, which is a cooperative project with the Licking County Community Center for 60+ adults.Plans for the renovated barn include an ADA accessible permanent community center space for LCCC, as well as an upper level cultural and performing arts space.


Denison University - Camp Kesem

Camp Kesem is a national organization with local chapters, including at Denison University. Students work together with the community to identify children affected by a caregiver’s cancer diagnosis and offer free programming, including a week-long summer camp program.GCF has supported Camp Kesem for the past two years, helping the program get established as well as supporting local children attending camp.

Granville Center for the Arts

The Granville Center for the Arts is a new concept that recently has formed and hopes to host workshops, artist talks, theatrical performances and printmaking clubs. Our grant supports the establishment of their art gallery and a performance venue space in the Annex of the United Church of Granville

Granville Historical Society

The Granville Historical Society is an organization devoted to the history of this remarkable area. They run a museum and archives, publish books and periodicals, host lectures, help with genealogical and historical research, and much more .The Historical Society received two separate grants this year, both of which support the creation of one of eight pocket history books about specific elements of Granville’s history. “Memorial Day in Granville” looks at the traditional Granville Memorial Day program between the years of 1881-1940s and “Spring Valley Pool: A Community Gathering Place” records several oral histories about the epic community favorite between the 1940s and 1990s.


Granville Kiwanis Fireworks Celebration

Granville Kiwanis is a local service club and is affiliated with the global organization Kiwanis International. Their global mission is to serve the children of the world.  Our grant provides funding for the Fireworks show at Wildwood Park. GCF looks forward to supporting this event almost as much as the community looks forward to attending it each year. 


Granville parent co-op preschool

For more than 75 years, Granville Parent Cooperative Preschool has united children, parents and teachers, who work together and grow through shared personal and educational experiences. The play-based curriculum and nurturing environment—located in downtown Granville--foster a lifelong love of learning for children ages two through five. A grant from the Granville Community Foundation allowed the Co-op to purchase updated teaching and learning materials appropriate to 21st century skills. The supplies will include teacher selected games and toys, with an emphasis on hands-on, multi sensory and multicultural learning.

Granville Public Library

The Granville Public Library is a wonderful asset to our community offering not only a wonderful selection of books and media but outstanding community offerings including book clubs, story times and even delivery services.Our grant supported the creation of the Power Up to Kindergarten program which is a school readiness summer support program. Librarians worked cooperatively with Granville Kindergarten teachers to create learning materials and supportive guidance for parents of incoming kindergarten students. Students received a backpack, school supplies and incentive materials to encourage completion of early literacy and math skill building activities.


Granville Recreation District

Granville Recreation District proudly offers parks, facilities, programming and services to meet the diverse needs of the Granville population. We have them to thank for Wildwood, Spring Valley and Raccoon Valley Park, McPeek Lodge and all the wonderful sports and enrichment programming offered year-round. Our grant was to fund one of the summer Concerts on the Green, which occur on the Bryn Du Lawn. This year we were responsible for the Lynyrd Skynyrd band, which was 1 of 8 outdoor concerts put on by the GRD.


Granville Turkey Trot

Over the last 14 years, the Turkey Trot has united Granville around a single important issue: hunger. Hundreds of families volunteer, participate in, and support this event which raises funds for the Food Pantry Network of Licking County. The Granville Community Foundation is proud to provide lead sponsorship of this important family and community tradition. Read more about the Granville Turkey Trot. 

Licking COunty Community Center for 60+ Adults

TThe Licking County Community Center for 60+ adults provides programming and support for aging community members in Licking Co. and of course is cooperating with Bryn Du Mansion to relocate to the new barn. Programming includes arts and recreation classes and most importantly “a place to belong.” Our grant went to support the “Music and Picnic on the Lawn” series, which are congregate meals on the lawn of Bryn Du and feature opportunities for local seniors to socialize and enjoy the arts.


Newark Organization for the Creative Arts/Bluesfest

NOCA is a nonprofit organizer and presenter of the creative arts. They host national touring musicians and also provide support and education for young artists who wish to improve their crafts. Our grant specifically went towards the HotLicks Bluesfest, which occurs on Broadway in September, this year represented the 22nd anniversary for this local favorite event.


Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra

The NGSO was founded in 1939 and has expanded exponentially and now includes 2 youth orchestras. Performances span all year at the Midland Theater in Newark as well as several community locations throughout the county. Our grant went towards the development of the Tunes and Tales Program, which is a unique partnership between Denison students and other composers to bring children’s literature to life. The free concerts take place at Robbins Hunter Museum and The Granville Public Library.


Ohiolina Music Festival

Ohiolina is a music festival honoring Appalachian music, instruments and culture. The festival had a long standing and well supported presence in Knox County before relocating to Granville a couple of years ago. Our grants have supported the establishment of Ohiolina in Licking County and most recently funded family-friendly activities and education to draw more children and families to the event.


Robbins Hunter Museum

The museum was built in 1842 and is considered one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the country. The Jill Griesse Historic Garden at the museum is one of 28 daffodil display gardens nationwide sanctioned by the American Daffodil Society. Our grant supports the museum’s stewardship of the garden. Specifically, funds will be used to generate QR signage in the gardens, establish new fencing and landscaping that will increase useable space in the Garden.