Dear Friends,
As we all adapt to our new normal for the foreseeable future, let me start off by saying thank you. Thank you to those who have been on the front lines of this global pandemic. Thank you to those who are working to get food out to those who need it the most. Thank you to everyone who is working to provide support in a multitude of ways. We are so grateful for all you have done and will do. This is an unsettling time for many, but we know we will get through this time of uncertainty by working together. There is still much that’s unknown about what is to come from the impacts of our current situation, but it is the resiliency of North Carolinians that gives us hope and reassurance that we will work through this situation.
OUR FELLOW NORTH CAROLINIANS
Many North Carolinians have already been impacted by COVID-19, whether their child’s school has closed, their employer has had to reduce hours, they cannot visit a loved one in a nursing home, or they have become ill themselves. To healthcare providers, individuals, parents, teachers, service and hospitality workers, and so many others who are being impacted, know that we see you and we stand by you.
As a Foundation that is committed to improving the quality of life for all North Carolinians, we care deeply about the health and well-being of all residents and are continuing to monitor the evolving situation around COVID-19. Given that new information about the virus and its impacts are coming out by the hour, ZSR remains in discussion with nonprofit and philanthropic partners as well as other state and local leaders about how we can be most effective and responsive during this time. Because we value hearing from all of you, we invite you to share your thoughts on how we might do so by emailing them to info@zsr.org.
OUR OFFICE
In terms of our day-to-day operations and in adhering to requests to practice “social distancing,” ZSR staff is working remotely for at least the next two weeks, with the possibility of this being a much longer period of time. Staff also is moving in-person meetings to phone calls or video calls and will be conducting all business remotely. However,
all staff are accessible by phone and by email. We encourage you to continue to reach out to individual staff with any questions. If you have a question for the Foundation more broadly, we ask that you please email those to
info@zsr.org and we will respond as promptly as possible. Also, we will be in touch with our current grantees and grant applicants in the coming weeks with additional information to address any adjustments we might need to make as a result of this moment in time and as we look ahead.
OUR WORK TOGETHER
This is a time for us to lean on one another and live into our State motto, Esse Quam Videri: “To be, rather than to seem.” Let us be kind. Let us be patient. Let us be helpful. Let us be ready to lend a hand as best we can. Now more than ever, it is critical for us to practice kindness, compassion and understanding with our fellow North Carolinians.
We will continue to keep the lines of communication open in the coming weeks and will post any updates to our website and to social media about our response to COVID-19 and/or as we become aware of new developments or other information that is important to share.
In the meantime, stay safe and be well.
Maurice “Mo” Green
Executive Director, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
