Grants + Programs

ZSR makes grants to charitable, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations, colleges/universities, religious entities and government units for work that serves the people of NC.

Out-of-state organizations can apply for funds to support projects operating in NC.

ZSR does not provide grant funding to individuals. For our Sabbatical Program, ZSR issues financial awards to individuals and to their organizations, and their organizations must fit the criteria described on the Sabbatical Program page. 

ZSR holds open application periods for our main grants and programs. When a grant or program opportunity is open for applications, you will be able to set up an account and submit an application through our grant portal.

After our team reviews your application, we will notify you as soon as possible if you are selected for a site visit or interview, or if you are no longer being considered for funding.

Our trustees make final funding decisions at board meetings in May and November.

We will notify you of funding decisions as soon as possible after our board meets.

State-Level Systemic Change applications open annually, typically in the summer. 

Community Progress Fund applications open annually, typically in the winter. 

Sabbatical applications open every other year, typically in the winter. 

Inclusive Public Art applications open every 3-4 years.

Please see each grant or program page for specific timelines.

• Community Progress Fund
• Inclusive Public Art Initiative
• Sabbatical Program
• State-Level Systemic Change

To get a sense of ZSR’s big-picture priorities and approach, please visit our About page and review our core values.

Next, carefully review the page for the grant or program you’re interested in.

You can also check out our Current Grant Partners database to explore the organizations currently receiving funding in your grant or program area of interest.

While there is not a limit on the number of applications an organization may submit within or across our grant programs, it is rare for an organization to receive more than one grant in a given year.

ZSR is legally prohibited from earmarking funds for lobbying and voter registration. In addition, ZSR cannot fund efforts to support or oppose individual candidates, or work to influence election outcomes. 

Grant pages have more information on what we do and do not fund under each grant or program.