The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) is honored to partner with nonprofits and others as you do so much good work on behalf of our state and the great people of North Carolina. Like many organizations, ZSR is experiencing staff turnover. We currently have three vacant program officer positions. While we are in the process of filling those positions, we have decided not to conduct our two upcoming open grantmaking opportunities, namely the fall 2022 State-Level Systemic Change Cycle and the 2022-23 Community Progress Fund Cycle.
We plan to use this time to review our strategies and priorities and reflect on how we can best meet our mission of improving the lives of all North Carolinians. Given all that has and is transpiring in North Carolina and the nation, coupled with our own learning as we enter our fifth year of implementation for our All For NC Framework for Grantmaking and Learning, we believe the time is right to reflect on where we’ve been, where we’re going and the best ways for moving forward in our changing environment.
The Foundation is not stopping all grantmaking activities, however. To the contrary, in May 2022, the Foundation awarded $2.7 million in grants for 115 nonprofit organizations located across the state, including $492,000 in wellness grants to 55 of our smaller current grantee organizations and our five Collaborative Problem-Solving grantees.
Nor does this decision affect our current grantees, whose funding will continue as planned. In addition, the Foundation plans to make more awards over the course of the next year. Examples include our Inclusive Public Art initiative and local projects in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, among others.
Moreover, in November 2022, the Foundation will consider whether to renew funding for current State-Level Systemic Change grantees whose funding ends in December 2022. The Foundation will also consider any deferrals. Program Officers will be in touch soon with current grantees whose grants are ending in December 2022 and with grantees whose applications have been deferred to the Fall cycle.
We realize that this decision may be disappointing; it is for us as well. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to sharing more information with you as we move forward.
Sincerely,