Dear Friend:
Welcome to the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation’s first quarterly update. Every three months, we will provide you with brief updates about ZSR’s grantmaking, other programs and activities; information about issues of importance to the state and the Foundation; and spotlights on some of our grantees that highlight the good work they are doing.
I hope you will find this update useful both in enhancing the work you do in your communities and for staying in touch with the Foundation.
The mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life for all North Carolinians. We do this primarily by investing in statewide, regional and community-based organizations and in people that are dedicated to building an inclusive, sustainable and vibrant state.
To make sure we fully grasp the opportunities available to and the challenges faced by communities, the Foundation’s program officers and I regularly travel across the state meeting with community and civic leaders, nonprofit organizations, and business people to better understand their work, views and perspectives. One of the things I have discovered through our travels is that there are a lot of people across this state who are working hard together to improve their schools, protect their rivers, revitalize their downtowns, and generally make North Carolina a better place for all of us to live. There are many bright lights in our rural areas, in our cities, and in our state capital; determined people looking towards the future.
In this quarterly update, we will share some of what we are learning from our travels. We will also share stories of some of our grantees, so that you can see how opportunities are being created and challenges are being met on the ground, across the state. We have also included information about other Foundation programs, including our Summer Internship and Non-Profit Internship Programs.
We hope that after you read through this update, you will share with us what you are doing and learning. We especially hope you will let us know if you see additional ways we can partner together.
Please click here to learn more about the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and for additional information. Click here to find staff email addresses. We encourage you to reach out to any of us with your stories, ideas, questions or requests for assistance.
I wish you a joyous, safe, and healthy holiday season, and the best of years in 2014.