Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation - WinstonSalem

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The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) is a private foundation committed to improving the quality of life of all North Carolinians by investing in organizations working toward a more equitable, sustainable, and vibrant North Carolina. ZSR is based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

General About the Organization/Mission

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation has worked to improve local economies, public education, the natural environment, strengthen democracy, and promote social justice and equity for over 70 years in the state of North Carolina. Based out of Winston-Salem, ZSR invests in statewide, regional, community-based organizations through grants, paid internship programs and paid sabbatical programs. The goal of ZSR is to improve the quality of life of all North Carolinians by supporting organizations and people who believe in building healthy and resilient communities, at both the local and regional level. ZSR believes in spreading awareness and education, civic dialogue, and advocacy on important issues that affect communities, entire regions, and the state of North Carolina.

Basic Info

Type of Organization	Non-profit
Website	http://www.zsr.org
Primary Contact	Phone: 336.725.7541 Fax: 336.725.6069 http://www.zsr.org/contact
Social Media	YouTube Twitter Vimeo

Issues of focus

ZSR awards grants surrounding five focus areas: Community Economic Development, Environment, Public Education, Social Justice and Equity, and Strengthening Democracy. The goal of these five focus areas are to...

Improve and support community-based economic development
Promote environmental sustainability and stewardship by supporting environmentally conscious initiatives.
Strengthen public education by increasing leadership and instructional capacity within educational institutions.
Encourage and promote racial justice and gender equity, a fair criminal justice system, respect and healthy integration of immigrants into our communities.
Reinforce a democracy that is comprised of inclusive, accessible, fair, transparent, effective, and accountable public institutions and public policies.

History of Organization

ZSR was founded 78 years ago in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While the mission of ZSR hasn't changed much since its founding, the projects and organizations ZSR supports has grown and expanded over the years. In 2005, the Foundation's Trustees developed a diversity policy, stating that ZSR "actively seeks to promote access, equity, and inclusiveness; and to discourage discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, socio-economic status, and other factors that deny the essential humanity of all people. It is the desire of the Foundation that all of its grantmaking policies reflect the belief that an organization’s performance is greatly enhanced when people with different backgrounds and perspectives are engaged in an organization’s activities and decision-making processes. Therefore, the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, adopted this policy for the purpose of insuring that all grantees of the Foundations have made all reasonable efforts to have racially diverse governing boards."

Programs and Projects

Grants: ZSR provides grants to help fund organizations or projects that fulfill goals and needs within their five focus areas; Community Economic Development, Environment, Public Education, Social Justice and Equity, and Strengthening Democracy.

Projects or ideas that don't full within the focus areas are also given consideration when the Foundation believes the grant could help further a unique project, to address specific challenges or opportunities. The grants are then categorized based on size and the type of use. Grants that provide up to $35,000 per year are considered "small grant requests" while requests of $35,001 or larger are considered "strategic grant requests". Within each grant, regardless of size, when funding is designated as "unrestricted" and for the organization's overall budget, the grant is considered as "General Operating Support". When the funding is designated for a particular activity or project, within an organization, the grant is considered "Project Support"

To learn more about the Foundation's grant requirements and eligibility or to begin a grant application, click here.

Non-Profit Internship Program: In efforts to diversify and increase accessibility to non-profit employment for young professionals, ZSR created an internship program for North Carolina college students to gain experience in the non-profit sector. As one step to combat barriers to employment and unfortunate, yet common, standard of unpaid internships, the Foundation's program offers paid internships to the next generation of non-profit leaders.

The Non-Profit Internship Program (NPIP) offers 20 college and university students, enrolled in four-year institutions across the state, the opportunity to work with ZSR-grantee organizations to increase areas in Community Economic Development, Environment, Public Education, Social Justice and Equity, and/or Strengthening Democracy. The eight-week internships occur during the summer and allow interns to advance their own professional and leadership skills while assisting organizations with community outreach and communications, fundraising, research, public policy, and social media.

To apply for the Non-Profit Internship Program and to learn more about internship opportunities, contact Allie Garrett at 336-725-7541 ext. 113.

To apply to become a host organization, contact Keren Salim at 336-725-7541 ext. 114.

ZSR Fellowship: Each year the Foundation offers one individual an unique, two-year, paid opportunity to work with ZSR on issues and topics relating to public policy, community service, philanthropy and/or the non-profit sector. The Fellowship position offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the grant administration process, non-profit organization, public policy within the Foundation and the ability to expand upon personal interests, related to the Foundation's five focus areas. The Fellow assists with approving grant proposals, visiting grant applicants, and assisting with general grant administration.

For more information about the ZSR Fellowship or to apply, contact Allie Garrett at 336-725-7541 ext. 113.

ZSR Summer Internship: Similar to the ZSR Fellowship Program, the Summer Internship offers North Carolina undergraduate or graduate the opportunity to explore projects, issues, and topics related to public policy, community service, philanthropy, and/or the non-profit sector. The Summer Internship is an eight-week, paid opportunity (with additional housing stipend if the student doesn't live commuting distance from Winston-Salem) and is distinctly different from the Non-Profit Internship Program.

Interns assist with research relating the Foundation's long-term goals, especially those that apply to the five focus areas. In addition to conducting research, interns also have the opportunity to shadow ZSR staff, attend conferences and meetings, and pursue personal areas of interest.

For more information about the ZSR Summer Internship or to apply, contact Allie Garrett at 336-725-7541 ext. 113.

Sabbatical Program: The ZSR Sabbatical Program recognizing that working in the non-profit sector is hard and exhausting work. The program allows non-profit employees within North Carolina to take a three to six month paid personal leave, to focus on self-revitatlizaition by traveling, reading, resting, reflecting, studying, and exploring interests unrelated to their field of work. By offering compensated opportunities for sabbatical, ZSR hopes individuals return to their non-profit organizations and work feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. Each year five individuals are selected based on specific selection criteria, including professional accomplishments, a clear need for a sabbatical, potential for growth and future contributions in his/her field of work, and the difficulty of his/her field of work and work environment.

Application to the Sabbatical Program is an intensive process. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact LaRita Bell with questions.

Partners and Frequent Collaborators

ZSR has helped foster many partnerships and has frequent collaborators through the success of the grant program. A few examples of grantees is listed below. A full list of grantees and their success stories can be found on their website.