At this time, our online grant applications are not available.

In an effort to improve our processes and the online grant applications, we deactivate applications after each grant cycle deadline so we can make any necessary tweaks and adjustments. Please check back between mid-May and the first week of June for their availability. Please note, the changes we make to the applications are minor. PDFs of the applications are also available as a reference to assist in developing a new application.

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In an effort to continuously improve its grantmaking efforts, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation recently conducted a review of its grant application process and made changes to its online application.

Please note two important changes to the grant application process:

1. There is only ONE link to access the full application.
2. Applicants must attach all required forms before submitting a grant application. The online system will not accept incomplete applications.

Below are directions for completing an online application, followed by a complete list of documents that are required upon submission of an application. Please take a moment to read the following information carefully before beginning an application. A link to the PDFs of each application is below and in the right side bar. These are intended to serve as a guide while completing the application.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Foundation at 800.443.8319 or 336.725.7541.

Application Previews and Instructions PDF

TO ACCESS A SAVED APPLICATION:

**If you have already started an application and need to access a saved application or login to your account, click here. You must close your Internet browser to re-access your account.**

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BEFORE BEGINNING AN APPLICATION

• Determine your organization’s eligibility for funding and fit within the Foundation’s focus areas. Most applicants find it useful to review the application process before proceeding.
• 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.
• Make sure cookies are enabled on your internet browser. For instructions on enabling cookies, click here.
• Add both gloriap@zsr.org and info@zsr.org to your list of allowed contacts to ensure that you will receive emails from the Foundation, including confirmation when you create a new account and submit a completed application.
• Note: Applications can only be accessed from Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.
• Note: The Strategic Application Process for the Strengthening Democracy focus area is different from the others. Please click here before beginning an application.
• Note: If you are applying for a ZSR grant and are outside of North Carolina, please click here.

TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT

You must create an account in order to save an incomplete application. To create an account:

• To begin an application, select the link to begin an application.
• Click on the “Save & Finish Later” button at the bottom of the page.
• Enter your email address. This will be used as your account I.D.
• For new applicants, click the “New Applicant” box and then click continue (Note: returning applicants can enter their email address and password to log in to an existing account).
• Follow the on-screen instructions. Be sure to record your password for later access; you or others in your organization will use the email address and password you provide to access your account in the future.

WHEN COMPLETING AN ONLINE APPLICATION

• Do not use the "Back" button on your browser to navigate through the online application; instead, use the page number and “Next” buttons.
• Do not close your browser window before clicking the “Save & Finish Later” button; doing so will cause unsaved changes to be lost.
• You may work on your application and save it online using any computer with Internet access. For assistance in finding a location in your community with internet access, click here or check your local public library. Please contact the Foundation if you cannot locate a computer equipped with high-speed internet; staff will provide you with an alternative method of submitting your application.

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REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

Each application requires certain financial and other documents to be uploaded as attachments. Below is a complete list of documents that are required upon submission of an application. Unless otherwise stated, save each item as a separate document (one page in length, if possible).

 

Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about the required financial documents. NOTE: Organizations should only upload ONE copy of each item.

 

1. SUPPORTING FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

SMALL GRANT GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

**Budget for Prior Fiscal Year

North Carolina budget for prior year showing a comparison of budget-to-actual revenue and expenses.

**Budget for Current Fiscal Year

Approved North Carolina budget for current fiscal year, including year-to-date actuals for revenue and expenses. (If the organization is less than three months into its fiscal year at the application deadline, year-to-date actuals may be omitted.)

**Budget for Next Fiscal Year

Projected or Projected North Carolina budget, including revenue and expenses, for the next fiscal year. For multi-year requests, please include projected budgets for each year in which funds are requested

**Audit Letters/Exceptions

During the past three years, if you received any Management Letters or audit exceptions prepared by the auditor, please upload a copy of the opinion letter(s) as well as the responses.

SMALL GRANT PROJECT SUPPORT

**Budget for Prior Fiscal Year

North Carolina budget for prior fiscal year showing a comparison of budget-to-actual revenue and expenses.

**Budget for Current Fiscal Year

Approved North Carolina budget for current fiscal year, including year-to-date actuals for revenue and expenses. (If the organization is less than three months into its fiscal year at the application deadline, year-to-date actuals may be omitted.)

**Budget for Next Fiscal Year

Projected or Projected North Carolina budget, including revenue and expenses, for the next fiscal year. For multi-year requests, please include projected budgets for each year in which funds are requested.

**Project Budget

A project budget for the duration of the requested grant showing projected revenue and expenses (with expected use of ZSR funds for each line item shown in a separate column).

**Audit Letters/Exceptions

During the past three years, if you received any Management Letters or audit exceptions prepared by the auditor, please upload a copy of the opinion letter(s) as well as the responses.

STRATEGIC GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

**Budget Information: Balance Sheets and Income Statements

Please upload a single document with the below-listed items. If your organization does not have one of these pieces of information, please note that in the document.

• If your organization's finances have been professionally audited in the past three years, please upload your most recently audited financial statements (Balance Sheet and Income Statement, NOT the entire audit)
• If you received any Management Letters or audit exceptions prepared by the auditor, please upload a copy of the opinion letter(s) as well as the responses
• Prior fiscal year's Income Statement (also known as "Statement of Activities") if management prepared, but not yet audited.
• Balance Sheet (also known as "Statement of Financial Position") as of the last day of the prior fiscal year if management prepared, but not yet audited.

**Budget for Prior Fiscal Year

North Carolina budget for prior fiscal year showing a comparison of budget-to-actual revenue and expenses.

**Budget for Current Fiscal Year

Approved North Carolina budget for current fiscal year, including year-to-date actuals for revenue and expenses. (If the organization is less than three months into its fiscal year at the application deadline, year-to-date actuals may be omitted.)

**Budget for Next Fiscal Year

Projected or Projected North Carolina budget, including revenue and expenses, for the next fiscal year. For multi-year requests, please include projected budgets for each year in which funds are requested.

STRATEGIC GRANT PROJECT SUPPORT

**Budget Information: Balance Sheets and Income Statements

Please upload a single document with the below-listed items. If your organization does not have one of these pieces of information, please note that in the document.

• If your organization's finances have been professionally audited in the past three years, please upload your most recently audited financial statements (Balance Sheet and Income Statement, NOT the entire audit)
• If you received any Management Letters or audit exceptions prepared by the auditor, please upload a copy of the opinion letter(s) as well as the responses
• Prior fiscal year's Income Statement (also known as "Statement of Activities") if management prepared, but not yet audited.
• Balance Sheet (also known as "Statement of Financial Position") as of the last day of the prior fiscal year if management prepared, but not yet audited.

**Budget for Prior Fiscal Year

North Carolina budget for prior fiscal year showing a comparison of budget-to-actual revenue and expenses.

**Budget for Current Fiscal Year

Approved North Carolina budget for current fiscal year, including year-to-date actuals for revenue and expenses. (If the organization is less than three months into its fiscal year at the application deadline, year-to-date actuals may be omitted.)

**Budget for Next Fiscal Year

Projected or Projected North Carolina budget, including revenue and expenses, for the next fiscal year. For multi-year requests, please include projected budgets for each year in which funds are requested.

**Project Budget

A project budget for the duration of the requested grant showing projected revenue and expenses (with expected use of ZSR funds for each line item shown in a separate column).

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

If you are applying on behalf of an entire college/university (e.g. UNC-Chapel Hill), or a graduate school (e.g. School of Law) or a department (e.g. Department of History), you only need to submit a Project Budget for the period for which you are requesting funds (Item #1 below). 

If you are applying on behalf of a Center or Institute (e.g. Center for Civil Rights), please provide items #1 through #4 below. 

• Project Budget
• Prior Fiscal Year’s Budget
• Current Fiscal Year’s Budget
• Next Fiscal Year’s Budget

OTHER GOVERNMENTAL UNITS & RELIGIOUS ENTITIES

If you are applying on behalf of a governmental unit or a religious entity that is not a college or university (e.g. City of Winston-Salem or North Carolina Department of Labor, synagogue, church, religious establishment), you only need to submit a Project budget for the period for which you are requesting funds.

 

2. BOARD LIST

Please provide name, city, state, occupation, race/ethnicity of each of your board members. Also provide a brief explanation of how members are selected.

For Colleges and Universities:

In addition to the above information, if your center, institute, or project has an Advisory Board or Board, please upload a document which lists the name, city, state, occupation, race/ethnicity of each member.

 

3. TAX-EXEMPT STATUS

The Foundation must receive a copy of the petitioning organization's federal tax-exempt certification under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that includes a determination as to the organization's status as a publicly-supported organization.

Governmental units or religious entities need not submit these documents. Please be aware that the Foundation will not make “pass-through” grants from one organization to another.

 

4. PRIOR GRANTEE REPORTING DOCUMENT(S)

If you received a past grant from ZSR, please be sure that you have completed the proper reporting requirements (see items a. and b. below). You can find details about reporting requirements at http://www.zsr.org/reporting.htm. Please note that a new application cannot be submitted unless all past evaluation requirements are satisfied. Upon completion of the appropriate reporting forms, upload these documents with this application. NOTE: Please do not upload any final or progress reports that have been already been sent to the foundation.

The different types of reporting forms are outlined below.

• Final Report – All prior grantees are required to complete and submit this comprehensive evaluation no later than 15 months from the date of payment on a one-year grant or from date of last payment on a multi-year grant.

• Progress Report (Strategic grants only) – If your organization is a current strategic grantee and plans to apply for additional funds for the same purpose as the previous grant, the Foundation must receive a progress report on the prior grant for which you have not yet submitted a final report. In addition, a multi-year progress report is due 12 months from the date of the first-year payment on a multi-year grant.  In other words, if you are requesting funding to continue the work of a previous grant and your final report is not yet due, you must upload a progress report with your new application.

Click here to view and/or download PDFs of frequently asked questions for the following:

- Grant Eligibility

- Pre-Application Process

- Financial Information

- Technical Issues