The Winston-Salem Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $91,071,721 (2023)
• Total Assets: Approximately $640 million
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $25,000+ (varies by programme)
• Decision Time: 4-8 weeks (varies by programme type)
• Geographic Focus: Forsyth County, NC and surrounding areas
• Application Method: Online portal with rolling and fixed deadlines

Contact Details

Address: 751 West Fourth Street, Suite 200, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Phone: (336) 725-2382
Email: info@wsfoundation.org
Website: https://www.wsfoundation.org/

The Foundation welcomes pre-application discussions. Organisations are encouraged to contact Foundation staff at least one week before application deadlines to discuss their proposal ideas.

Overview

The Winston-Salem Foundation, established on October 14, 1919, is the first foundation of any type established in North Carolina and the 16th oldest community foundation in the United States. Founded with a gift of $1,000 from Col. Francis H. Fries, the Foundation has grown to hold approximately $640 million in assets. In 2023, the Foundation contributed $91,071,721 in grants, making numerous awards to organisations serving Forsyth County and beyond. The Foundation's mission is to strengthen Forsyth County by inspiring giving and linking resources to action. In 2017, after extensive community consultation, the Foundation announced two major focus areas—Building an Inclusive Economy and Advancing Equity in Education—reflecting its commitment to addressing significant racial, economic, and residential disparities. The Foundation has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and consistently ranks among the top community foundations nationally for assets, gifts received, and grants paid.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Community Grants
The Foundation's main grantmaking programme supports a wide range of charitable purposes across Forsyth County in three categories:

• Capacity-building grants: Strengthening organisational infrastructure
• Programmatic grants: Supporting specific programmes and initiatives
• Capital campaign grants: Major capital projects and campaigns
• Grant amounts vary significantly
• Applications follow a two-stage process: preliminary applications due approximately the first of November, January, March, May, July and September; full applications due about a month later

Small Grants: Up to $2,000

• For organisations and groups serving Forsyth County with annual incomes of $150,000 or less
• Application periods: Spring (late February through late March) and Autumn (early September through mid-October)
• Decisions announced one month after each closing date
• Online application through Grants Portal

Capital Improvement Grants: Up to $25,000

• For time-limited projects to acquire, upgrade, and maintain physical assets (property, buildings, technology, equipment)
• Application typically opens late July
• Award decisions made in mid-December
• Current focus on projects supporting (1) people with disabilities, (2) beautification initiatives
• Limited funding available for Arts & Culture capital projects

Focus Area Grants: Up to $15,000

• Building an Inclusive Economy: Supporting wealth building, career advancement, and transportation initiatives for Black households
• Advancing Equity in Education: Supporting school discipline reform, culturally responsive education, and student support systems
• These grants specifically advance the Foundation's racial equity priorities

Teacher Grants: Up to $2,500

• For teachers, guidance counsellors, curriculum coordinators, and media coordinators in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
• For professional growth and enrichment opportunities
• Accepted on an ongoing basis

Elkin Funds Community Grants

• For nonprofits serving the Elkin/Tri-Counties area of North Carolina
• Annual grant funding opportunity

Chrissy Gallaher Victim's Assistance Fund

• Financial assistance to victims of violent crime
• Grants for statewide organisations supporting victims of violent crime

Strategic Initiatives

The Foundation operates three Strategic Initiatives led by community volunteers:

Black Philanthropy Initiative (BPI)

• Focuses on Building an Inclusive Economy and Equity in Education grants
• Recent grantees include Carter G. Woodson School ($15,000 for NextGen Family Entrepreneurship Programme) and Castle Heights Neighbourhood Association ($15,000 for trade skills training)

The Women's Fund of Winston-Salem

• Makes annual grants supporting women and girls
• Annual luncheon celebration where grants are announced

Youth Grantmakers in Action (YGA)

• Youth-led grantmaking programme
• Recent grants include Athletes4Change (basketball camp), Fútbol for All, and Troop 916 (athletic facility improvements)

Priority Areas

Building an Inclusive Economy (one of two major focus areas since 2017):

1. Wealth Building: Addressing the wealth gap where one-third of Black and Hispanic residents in Forsyth County have zero net worth; supporting efforts to increase home and business asset values whilst mitigating negative impacts of student loan debt and government fines/fees
2. Career Advancement: Supporting employer-assisted economic mobility programmes, workplace culture change, and clearer career pathways leading to family-sustaining wages
3. Transportation: Removing transportation barriers that prevent individuals and families from moving out of poverty

Advancing Equity in Education (the second major focus area):

1. School Discipline Reform: Identifying and dismantling systemic biases leading to over-disciplining of Black and brown students
2. Culturally Responsive Education: Addressing inherent biases amongst educators and diversifying school culture through culturally responsive pedagogy and a more diverse educator workforce
3. Student Support Systems: Supporting student-centred interventions including social-emotional learning, restorative practices, and trauma-informed approaches

Other Funding Areas:

• Arts and culture
• Health
• Human services
• Community development
• Domestic animals
• Building social capital

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Restrictions:

• Organisations that do not serve Forsyth County, NC
• If based outside Forsyth County but serving a wide geographic area that includes Forsyth County, the Foundation will only consider grants for the portion of the project impacting Forsyth County

Faith-Based Limitations:

• Programmes that serve only members of a single congregation
• Programmes that promote a particular religious doctrine
• (Note: The Foundation does fund faith-based organisations providing social services to the broader community)

Other Limitations:

• Due to limited funding, the Foundation may not support the same programmes or organisations year after year
• For Capital Improvement Grants, restrictions apply—current focus is on projects supporting people with disabilities and beautification initiatives, with limited Arts & Culture capital funding

Governance and Leadership

President

LaTida Smith joined the Foundation as its fifth president on September 1, 2021, making history as the first woman and first African American to serve in this role at the 101-year-old institution.

Key Quotes from President Smith:

• "It is an exciting time in the history of Winston-Salem, and The Winston-Salem Foundation is in a unique position to ensure the entire community benefits and contributes to designing the innovations and investments that are sparking this resurgence."
• "For some time, I think the foundation has been thinking about how it expands the community's understanding of who can be a philanthropist."
• "I had the opportunity of coming to a foundation with over 100 years of goodwill built. That makes a big difference."
• On her attraction to the Foundation: "It has a very pronounced commitment to racial equity. It was looking for a leader who could advance its goals."

Board Leadership

Board Officers:

• Peggy Reingold, Board Chair
• Tom Lawson, Vice Chair
• Joe Crocker, Secretary
• Alex Barrett, Treasurer

Board Structure: The Foundation has 12 dedicated community volunteers on The Winston-Salem Foundation Committee (the primary governing body). The Foundation Committee appoints five seats, whilst outside appointing authorities select the eight remaining members.

Select Board Members:

• Evelyn P. Acree: Regional Manager, Vice President of Western Piedmont NC, Self Help Credit Union
• David Barksdale: President and Chief Executive Officer, Piedmont Federal Bank
• Richard Gottlieb: Former president and CEO of Senior Services (served 36 years until retiring in 2017)
• Keith Vest: Business leader in brand innovation and design
• Matthew Cullinan: Experienced in higher education leadership
• Tom Lawson: Managing Director at Bank of America Private Bank Philanthropic Solutions Group

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Portal: All applications are submitted through the Foundation's online Grants Portal at https://www.wsfoundation.org/

Pre-Application Consultation: Organisations are encouraged to contact Foundation staff to discuss their proposal idea at least one week before application deadlines. This is particularly helpful for first-time applicants or those exploring alignment with the Foundation's priorities.

Application Process by Programme:

Small Grants:

• Create an account or log in to the Grants Portal
• Submit application during open application windows
• Application periods typically run in Spring (late February through late March) and Autumn (early September through mid-October)

Community Grants:

• Two-stage application process
• Stage 1: Preliminary application (deadlines typically fall on or around the first of November, January, March, May, July, and September)
• Stage 2: Full application (due approximately one month after preliminary deadline)

Capital Improvement Grants:

• Application typically opens late July in the Grants Portal
• Online submission required

Teacher Grants:

• Applications accepted on an ongoing basis

Decision Timeline

Small Grants: 4 weeks

• Notification of funding decisions comes one month after each closing date

Community Grants: 8-12 weeks

• Full grant application deadlines occur about one month after preliminary deadlines
• Grant decisions come approximately two months after full application submission
• Total timeline from preliminary application to decision: approximately 3 months

Capital Improvement Grants:

• Award decisions made in mid-December

Success Rates

Specific percentage success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Due to limited funding and the intention to support a diverse range of programme areas and organisations, the Foundation may not be able to support the same programmes or organisations year after year. However, organisations are not prohibited from reapplying. The Foundation evaluates each application on its merits within the context of current funding priorities and available resources.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Explicit Guidance

Engagement with Directly Impacted Communities: The Foundation has clearly stated that a strong application "demonstrates characteristics where individuals who are directly impacted by the project are valued for their strengths and included in the organisation's planning, development, and implementation processes." Organisations should engage those with lived experience in meaningful and effective ways.

Alignment with Focus Areas: Since 2017, the Foundation has devoted significant resources to its two critical focus areas—Building an Inclusive Economy and Advancing Equity in Education. Applications demonstrating how they advance these priorities, particularly racial equity, are strongly positioned. As President LaTida Smith noted, the Foundation "has a very pronounced commitment to racial equity."

Geographic Service: Applications must clearly demonstrate service to Forsyth County. For organisations based outside the county, grants will only be considered for the portion of the project that impacts Forsyth County residents.

Pre-Application Engagement: The Foundation explicitly states that "many groups find it helpful to discuss their idea with the Foundation's team before applying." Scheduling a conversation at least one week before the application deadline is encouraged and demonstrates thoughtful preparation.

Recent Funding Patterns

Examining recent grants reveals the Foundation's priorities in action:

Economic Empowerment:

• Carter G. Woodson School received $15,000 for the NextGen Family Entrepreneurship Programme
• Castle Heights Neighbourhood Association received $15,000 for trade skills training including home repair programmes

Youth Development and Education:

• Youth-led initiatives (YGA grants) for athletics, community service, and cultural programmes
• Teacher grants supporting professional development
• Focus on student support systems and culturally responsive education

Community Infrastructure:

• Capital improvements for facilities serving people with disabilities
• Beautification initiatives
• Athletic facilities for underserved youth

Equity-Centred Approach: The Foundation's commitment to racial equity, articulated through its six specific priorities (wealth building, career advancement, transportation, school discipline reform, culturally responsive education, and student support systems), should be reflected in application language and programme design.

Values Alignment

The Foundation's core values guide funding decisions:

• Generosity: Demonstrated through community engagement and resource sharing
• Integrity: Transparent operations and authentic community partnerships
• Inclusion: Meaningful engagement with diverse communities, particularly those directly impacted
• Excellence: High-quality programmes with measurable community impact

Strategic Considerations

Size and Capacity Matching: The Foundation offers different grant programmes for organisations at different stages—Small Grants (up to $2,000) for organisations with annual incomes under $150,000 provide an accessible entry point, whilst larger organisations can pursue Community Grants and Capital Improvement Grants.

Multi-Year Perspective: Whilst the Foundation may not fund the same programmes year after year, demonstrating how initial funding leads to sustainable impact or new phases of work can position organisations for future support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Engage before applying: Contact Foundation staff at least one week before deadlines to discuss your proposal and ensure alignment with current priorities
• Centre lived experience: Applications must demonstrate that individuals directly impacted by the project are valued and included in planning, development, and implementation
• Align with racial equity focus: The Foundation's pronounced commitment to racial equity, particularly through Building an Inclusive Economy and Advancing Equity in Education, should be evident in your proposal
• Be geographically specific: Clearly articulate how your work serves Forsyth County residents; if you're based outside the county, specify the Forsyth County portion of your project
• Match your ask to your capacity: Organisations with annual incomes under $150,000 should start with Small Grants; larger organisations can pursue Community Grants and specialised programmes
• Demonstrate community engagement: Show how your organisation builds social capital and engages diverse community members in meaningful ways
• Allow adequate time: For Community Grants, the two-stage process takes approximately three months from preliminary application to decision; plan accordingly
• Consider multiple pathways: Beyond general Community Grants, explore Strategic Initiatives (BPI, Women's Fund, YGA) that may align with your mission and beneficiary population

References

1. The Winston-Salem Foundation Official Website - https://www.wsfoundation.org/ (Accessed December 2025)
2. "Our Story - The Winston-Salem Foundation" - https://www.wsfoundation.org/our-story (Accessed December 2025)
3. "Nonprofits & Community Groups - The Winston-Salem Foundation" - https://www.wsfoundation.org/nonprofits-community-groups (Accessed December 2025)
4. "Small Grants - The Winston-Salem Foundation" - https://www.wsfoundation.org/grant-seekers/small-grants (Accessed December 2025)
5. "Capital Improvement Grants - The Winston-Salem Foundation" - https://www.wsfoundation.org/grant-seekers/capital-grants (Accessed December 2025)
6. "Focus Areas - The Winston-Salem Foundation" - https://www.wsfoundation.org/focus-areas (Accessed December 2025)
7. "Focus Area Priorities - The Winston-Salem Foundation" - https://www.wsfoundation.org/focus-areas/focus-area-priorities (Accessed December 2025)
8. "Board - The Winston-Salem Foundation" - https://www.wsfoundation.org/board (Accessed December 2025)
9. "Staff - The Winston-Salem Foundation" - https://www.wsfoundation.org/staff (Accessed December 2025)
10. "A Message from our New President - The Winston-Salem Foundation" - https://www.wsfoundation.org/latest-news/our-new-president (Accessed December 2025)
11. "Foundation Gains New Leadership for its Second Century of Service to Forsyth County" - https://www.wsfoundation.org/latest-news/latida-smith (Accessed December 2025)
12. "LaTida Smith speaks on being first woman, African American to serve as Winston-Salem Foundation president" - FOX8 WGHP - https://myfox8.com/spotlight/in-black-and-white/latida-smith-speaks-on-being-first-woman-african-american-to-serve-as-winston-salem-foundation-president/ (Accessed December 2025)
13. "Philanthropy Means We Take Care of Each Other" - https://www.wsfoundation.org/blog/philanthropy-means-we-take-care-of-each-other (Accessed December 2025)
14. Winston Salem Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/566037615 (Accessed December 2025)
15. Charity Navigator - Rating for The Winston-Salem Foundation - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/566037615 (Accessed December 2025)
16. The Winston-Salem Foundation - Inside Philanthropy - https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/north-carolina-grants/the-winston-salem-foundation (Accessed December 2025)
17. "Financials - The Winston-Salem Foundation" - https://www.wsfoundation.org/financials (Accessed December 2025)