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Lester A. Walker Foundation

Grants Available Through the Lester A. Walker Foundation

The Lester Walker grant area.

The late Lester A. Walker, publisher of Fre­mont Tribune from 1939-1966, was responsible for developing journalism programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and for mentoring countless students pursuing careers in the newspaper business. He was widely recognized for helping to revolutionize the newspaper industry during his tenure as publisher of the Tribune. 

Although Walker had retired and moved to Arizona, Fremont was always home in his heart. Fremont was home to him, his wife Maxine, and his family. He was very emphatic; he earned his money in Fremont and felt it should be used to benefit the Fremont area after his lifetime. 

Applications for charitable organizations to apply for grants are accepted once a year. Grants are available to accomplish civic, cultural, educational, health and welfare purposes. The application deadline for 2023 is October 31st. Grants must be submitted to First National Bank in the Trust Department, 610 N. Main Street, Fremont, NE 68025 by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date.

To request an application, e-mail akerschinske@fnbo.com, or you may download it here.

More about Lester A. Walker

An astute businessman and community leader, Walker had always been interested and supportive of the Fremont Area Community Foundation. He was a visionary and had even proposed the idea of a community foundation as far back as the early 1960's. Walker provided in his Will that 60 percent of the proceeds of the Lester A. Walker Foundation go to the Fremont Area Com­munity Foundation annually for competitive grants. The video below, A Tribute to Lester A. Walker, was featured at the 2015 Fremont Area Community Foundation Annual Dinner.