State Forty Eight Foundation is proud to welcome Heather Walsh, Managing Director of Philanthropic Investments at Social Venture Partners Arizona (SVPAZ), to its Board of Directors.

Walsh brings more than 15 years of experience advancing social impact through nonprofit leadership, strategic partnerships, philanthropy, and community engagement. Her work sits at the intersection of engaged philanthropy and nonprofit capacity building, helping organizations turn big vision into measurable, lasting results.

At SVPAZ, Walsh provides strategic leadership for the organization’s philanthropic investment portfolio and leads the full lifecycle of each investment, from identifying and evaluating nonprofit organizations to developing investment strategies, supporting organizational growth, and measuring impact. She serves as a key connector between SVP Partners and nonprofit leaders, aligning the expertise, resources, and relationships of the SVP community with the priorities of organizations working to create long-lasting change.

“Every grant we award is a bet on an Arizona entrepreneur, and as the Foundation grows, we owe it to our donors, partners, and grantees to make every one of those investments count,” said Sentari Minor, board president for State Forty Eight Foundation. “Heather has spent her career helping organizations turn generosity into measurable, lasting impact. Her expertise in philanthropic strategy, partnership-building, and outcomes will be invaluable as we scale our Entrepreneur Grant Program, deepen our corporate and philanthropic partnerships, and build a Foundation that’s ready for the long haul.”

Prior to SVPAZ, Walsh served as Chief Operating Officer for Support My Club and Vice President of Programs at New Pathways for Youth. In both roles, she led organizational strategy and implementation, strengthened community partnerships, supported organizational growth, and used data and outcomes to drive effectiveness, including cultivating collaborations with Phoenix-area schools and connecting nonprofit programs with the goals of philanthropic partners.

“I’ve always believed philanthropy is most powerful when it combines financial resources with relationships, expertise, accountability, and a genuine commitment to long-term partnership,” said Walsh. “That’s exactly how State Forty Eight Foundation shows up for Arizona entrepreneurs. They don’t just write a check and walk away. They invest in people with education, mentorship, and a community that keeps showing up. Small businesses are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods, and I’m thrilled to help this team grow its impact across the state.”

Beyond her professional work, Walsh is a founding member of the Copper Club, a women’s social experience, and serves on the Girl Scouts Badge Bash committee. Originally from Nebraska, she remains a devoted college football fan. (Go Huskers!)

Walsh joins the board as the Foundation closes out a milestone year. The 2026 Entrepreneur Speaker Series drew more than 400 in-person and virtual attendees across two days at The Duce in downtown Phoenix and awarded $3,000 in microgrants to six Arizona entrepreneurs. Applications for the 2026 Entrepreneur Grant Program, which will award $75,000 this year (up from $50,000 in 2025), are open through October 11. The Foundation will also host the State Forty Eight Foundation Tattoo Fundraiser on October 17, bringing local artists, small businesses, and the community together in support of Arizona entrepreneurs, while planning is underway for the seventh annual Bet On AZ Poker Tournament & Casino Night in 2027.

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About State Forty Eight Foundation

Founded in 2020 by the Arizona-based apparel brand State Forty Eight, State Forty Eight Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to fuel Arizona dreams and drive local prosperity through entrepreneurship. The Foundation provides Arizona entrepreneurs with valuable resources, community support, and grant funding. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $187,500 in grants to 54 small businesses across the state. To learn more about the Foundation’s initiatives, visit www.statefortyeightfoundation.org or follow on Instagram and Facebook.

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