Ever wonder how 179 students received scholarships from the Merrick Foundation this year? In this episode of Making an Impact Together, Shauna sits down with Rachel Brandquist to pull back the curtain on the entire scholarship process—from the first application clicks in December to the powerful, emotional moments at the Scholarship Awards Ceremony in April.

You'll hear how the Foundation matches students to opportunities, what makes an essay stand out, and how a team of 30+ volunteer reviewers helps keep it all running smoothly. Plus, Rachel shares insider tips for students applying, how the selection process stays fair, and what role donors do (and don’t) play in the final decisions.

Whether you're a student, donor, parent, or just curious about how community scholarships work—this one’s packed with insight, inspiration, and impact.

In this episode, Shauna Graham talks with Vicki Wardyn about Maplewood Corners, an affordable housing community in Palmer. Vicki shares the vision behind Maplewood, how funding and grants support the complex, and how recent upgrades improved residents’ quality of life. She addresses misconceptions about affordable housing, explains resident qualifications, and highlights ways the community can support Maplewood’s mission.

Grants can open doors, but the application process can also feel overwhelming. In this episode, we’re answering the 10 most common grant questions to help you navigate our application with confidence. From eligibility requirements to writing a winning proposal, we’re covering everything you need to know to maximize your chances of success.

If you’ve ever wondered: What information do I need to include? What if we don't have some of the financial templates? What makes an application stand out? How do I avoid common pitfalls?

Then this episode is for you! Tune in and take the guesswork out of grants.