The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) has two grant cycles each year. Grant application deadlines are in February and August. [Application Process]

8.04.10:

“The Foundation continually strives to improve its grant applications and application processes.  Our applications are tweaked between grant cycles to make them more user-friendly and reader-friendly.  As a result, our on-line application system cannot be accessed from February 3-May 15 and August 3-November 15 while changes are made.

However, we have posted PDFs of our grant applications so that potential applicants can view the most recent versions of the applications.  We expect that minor changes will be made prior to the next deadline, but the general framework of the application and the gist of the questions will remain the same.  Thus, if someone wishes to begin completing an application while our on-line system is down, s/he may begin crafting answers to the application questions and can paste the answers into the application once the system is turned back on.

If you wish to apply for a grant, please revisit the web site after May 15 for the August 1 deadline and November 15 for the February 1 deadline in order to access our on-line application system.”

HELP INDEX - If you are unable to find the answer(s) to your questions from the HELP INDEX page, please email info@zsr.org. Please include the following: your name, name of your organization, community where you are located, phone number, focus area, and questions. To better assist us in continuing to improve our process, please include in your email whether you have searched our website for answers to your questions first.

**NOTE: The Strategic Grant Application process for Strengthening Democracy focus area is different from others. Please click here before beginning an application

Once your email has been received, it will be forwarded to the appropriate program officer for response. The program officer will then respond as soon as possible.

There are many recipients, uses, and programs to which the Foundation (with rare exception) does not make grants.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the full list before applying.

The Foundation focuses its grant making on five Focus Areas: Community Economic Development, the Environment, Social Justice and Equity, Strengthing Democracy, Pre-Collegiate Education.  Applicants are encouraged to review the results sought within each relevant focus area to better understand the fit of their organization’s work or project within the priorities of the Foundation. 

The Foundation makes grants to 501(c)3 organizations and government entities for programs and projects serving the people of North Carolina.  [Grant Eligibility]

For eligible applicants who are requesting up to $35,000 per year for one or two years, the Foundation offers a simplified, streamlined grant application. [Small Grants] 

The grant application is entirely online.  [Online Application]

For past grantees, information on reporting requirements can be found on the info for grantees page.