← Back to US Funders Directory

Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$21.5M
Grant Range
Up to $0.1M00
Decision Time
3mo
0

Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $20-21.5 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 3 months
  • Grant Range: Varies by program; capital construction up to $150,000, capital equipment up to $100,000
  • Geographic Focus: North Carolina statewide (75%) and Forsyth County (25%)
  • Assets: Over $600 million

Contact Details

Address: 128 Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem, NC 27106

Phone: 336-397-5500 | Toll-free: 1-800-485-9080

Website: https://kbr.org

Grants Assistant: mary@kbr.org (contact for consultation before applying)

Overview

The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust was established in 1947 and has grown to become one of North Carolina's largest private trusts, with assets exceeding $600 million. The Trust invests approximately $20-21.5 million annually to improve the health and quality of life of North Carolina residents with low incomes. Seventy-five percent of grantmaking focuses on equitable access to care, equitable health systems, and rural health solutions statewide, while 25% focuses on improving early childhood education and creating a more inclusive economy in Forsyth County. Under the leadership of President Dr. Laura Gerald, the Trust has confronted its historical legacy and increased its commitment to racial equity, community-driven solutions, and grassroots partnerships. The Trust has committed $100 million of its endowment toward investments that increase economic opportunity in underresourced communities across the state.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Healthy Places NC: A flagship place-based initiative that has invested over $100 million in 10 rural counties (Beaufort, Burke, Nash, Edgecombe, Halifax, McDowell, Rockingham, Robeson, Bladen, and Columbus) over the past decade. Since 2022, the initiative has expanded regionally with special emphasis on Eastern North Carolina. Focus areas include equitable food and recreation systems, substance misuse prevention and recovery, addressing adverse childhood experiences, and targeted work with communities of color.

Great Expectations: Supports programming for children from financially disadvantaged families in Forsyth County, with primary goals of kindergarten readiness and college readiness. Prioritizes early learning, out-of-school programs, health, mental health, and childcare initiatives.

Local Impact Program: Works to foster an inclusive economy in Forsyth County that listens to, empowers, and supports residents who have historically been denied economic opportunities.

Grant Types:

  • Operating program grants for new programs, expanding existing programs, and short-term bridge funding
  • Capital project grants for construction and renovation (up to $150,000) and equipment purchases (up to $100,000)

Application Method: Rolling basis with funding opportunities announced periodically on their website

Priority Areas

  • Health: Diabetes, behavioral health, access to primary care, equitable health systems, rural health solutions
  • Early Childhood Education: Kindergarten readiness programs, childcare, out-of-school programming
  • Economic Opportunity: Inclusive economy initiatives, capacity building for grassroots organizations
  • Population Served: People living at or below 200% of the poverty level, the uninsured, and people eligible for Medicaid and free/reduced lunch programs
  • Community Approaches: Grassroots organizations, organizations led by people of color, community-driven solutions, capacity building

What They Don't Fund

  • General operating expenses (typically not funded)
  • Medical research

Governance and Leadership

President: Dr. Laura Gerald, MD, MPH

Senior Leadership:

  • Stephanie Cooper-Lewter, Executive Vice President, Programs and Administration
  • Adam Linker, Vice President of Programs
  • Nora Ferrell, Vice President of Communications

Key Program Staff:

  • Kristen Naney, Director, Learning and Impact
  • Madison Allen, Senior Program Officer, Health Improvement in North Carolina
  • Jason Baisden, Senior Program Officer, Health Improvement in North Carolina
  • Shenell McClurkin Thompson, Senior Program Officer, Local Impact in Forsyth County
  • Omari Richins, Program Officer, Health Improvement in North Carolina

Grants Team:

  • Alison Duncan, Grants Manager
  • Debra Hall, Grants and Compliance Administrator
  • Mary Weaver, Grants Assistant

Advisory Councils: The Trust convenes two advisory councils—the Health Improvement in North Carolina Advisory Council (15 members) and the Local Impact in Forsyth County Advisory Council (12 members)—comprising leaders from various organizations and institutions across the state.

Key Quote from President Laura Gerald: "We specifically focus on helping communities of color and rural communities thrive because the data shows us that long-standing health, economic, and education disparities exist by race and place." She also emphasized: "You cannot do this work without the impacted people at the table. They have experiences and potential solutions that need to be addressed."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust operates on a rolling application timeline with funding opportunities announced periodically. Information about funding cycles is typically released in May and October, though applicants should check the website regularly as the Trust adjusts and refines its goals from year to year.

Application Steps:

  1. Review: Explore opportunities at https://kbr.org/funding-opportunities/ to assess organizational fit
  2. Assess: Examine eligibility requirements for selected opportunities
  3. Consult and Apply: Contact the grants assistant at mary@kbr.org to arrange a consultation before submitting an application

The Trust strongly recommends contacting their grants assistant for a consultation before applying to discuss fit and alignment.

Decision Timeline

  • Grant seekers can expect the process to take approximately 3 months from application to decision
  • Notification methods vary by funding opportunity

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust distributes approximately $20-21.5 million annually across its various programs and initiatives.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Interested applicants should contact the grants team directly to inquire about reapplication timelines and opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's documented priorities and leadership statements, successful applications demonstrate:

Community-Centered Approaches: The Trust "starts by listening to communities" and seeks "community-led solutions." Dr. Gerald emphasizes: "We are investing in grassroots groups and organizations led by people of color to empower them to lead the change they want to see and to participate in critical conversations."

Authentic Partnership: The Trust values organizations that can "be in authentic partnership" with communities. Dr. Gerald advises institutions: "If you want to build trust, you must be trustworthy."

Focus on Equity: All work is "grounded in racial equity and systems change." The Trust centers equity in its grantmaking and specifically prioritizes communities of color and rural communities where data shows the largest health disparities.

Measurable Outcomes: The Trust "focuses on the most effective way to achieve long-term, sustainable change" and emphasizes data collection and measurable outcomes.

Serves Target Population: Successful grants benefit people living at or below 200% of the poverty level, the uninsured, and people eligible for Medicaid and free/reduced lunch programs.

Innovative and Relevant: The Trust seeks "innovative ideas that are creative, relevant, and useful in tackling today's challenges and preventing tomorrow's problems."

Recent Funding Examples:

  • Wake Forest University School of Medicine received $1.5 million for "Reimagining Health and Wellbeing By Mothers for Our Babies, Families and Communities" to reduce disparities in birth and postpartum outcomes for Black and Latinx communities in Forsyth County
  • United Way of NC received $400,000 for a health insurance enrollment pilot project
  • Border Belt Independent received a three-year, $495,000 grant renewal

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pre-application consultation is essential: Contact the grants assistant at mary@kbr.org before submitting to ensure alignment and discuss your approach
  • Center community voices: Applications must demonstrate how impacted communities are leading or participating in the proposed solution—the Trust will not fund work done to communities but rather work led by communities
  • Prioritize equity: Explicitly address how your work reduces health, economic, or education disparities by race and place; generic approaches will not be competitive
  • Focus on target population: Clearly demonstrate how your program serves people at or below 200% of poverty level, the uninsured, or Medicaid-eligible populations
  • Think long-term and systemic: The Trust seeks sustainable, systems-change approaches rather than short-term fixes; show how your work will create lasting change
  • Geographic fit matters: For statewide health programs, emphasize rural health solutions; for Forsyth County programs, focus on early childhood or economic inclusion
  • Monitor their website closely: With a rolling application timeline and evolving priorities, check https://kbr.org/funding-opportunities/ regularly and sign up for their newsletter

References

← Back to US Funders Directory