The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation is restricted to making grants to charitable, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities for programs and projects that serve the people of North Carolina. No grants are made to individuals for any purpose. Out-of-state charitable organizations are eligible to apply for funds to support projects operating in North Carolina. 

Click here for a complete list of the uses, programs, and types of organizations to which the Foundation (with rare exception) does not make grants.

Organizations and projects that are working to achieve the results sought within each of the Foundation’s focus areas and are consistent with the Foundation’s vision receive highest priority.

The Foundation is particularly interested in supporting:

1. Organizations, programs and projects that accomplish progressive policy change and/or systemic reform, especially those that have multi-county or statewide impact.
2. Innovative, community-based projects within the Foundation’s focus areas, with an emphasis on reaching low-resource and/or rural regions in the state.

To view answers to frequently asked questions about grant eligibility, click here.

To view eligibility information for the Foundation’s Small Grants Process, click here.

To view information about the application process for the Strengthening Democracy portfolio, click here.