About

We envision a just, inclusive and sustainable North Carolina, where people embrace our common humanity and work together to shape our collective future.

Our History + Mission

Throughout history, North Carolinians have led bold initiatives to improve our state, from protecting people’s voting rights to promoting public education to safeguarding our natural resources.

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) has stood behind many of these efforts.

ZSR is a private family foundation that serves the people of North Carolina. It was established in 1936 by the children of RJ and Katharine Smith Reynolds in Winston-Salem as a memorial to their brother Zachary Smith Reynolds. ZSR’s founding charter states its purpose as “the accomplishment of charitable works in the state of North Carolina.”

Almost a century later, ZSR’s mission remains broad: We support people and organizations working to improve the quality of life for all North Carolinians.

Since our founding, ZSR has invested nearly $700 million into organizations working to build a more just, inclusive and sustainable North Carolina.

What We Do

ZSR strives to meet our mission through grantmaking and partner engagement, focusing on three main activities.

Make Grants

One

We give grants to nonprofit organizations working statewide and locally to improve systems and meet communities’ needs.

Support Partners

Two

We support NC’s vibrant nonprofit sector with opportunities to connect, learn and enhance skills, based on what nonprofits tell us they need to be successful.

Bring People Together

Three

We connect NC’s changemakers to build and strengthen relationships, facilitate learning and spark new ideas.

All for NC

What Guides Us

Rooted in our core values, these principles guide our work to improve the quality of life for all North Carolinians.

See Our Core Values

Support NC’s changemakers.

We believe in the power of the extraordinary people of North Carolina to create positive change, and we use our resources to serve and support them.

We trust our grant partners’ expertise and experience, and we aim to stay humble, flexible and adaptable to meet their evolving needs.

Embrace shared humanity.

We believe that all North Carolinians, regardless of background, should have clean air and water, great public schools, fair and decent work, and a government that represents the people and responds to their concerns.

We believe that all people should be treated with dignity, that our individual actions are tied to our collective destiny and that everyone has a role to play in building a just, inclusive and sustainable future that benefits all of us.

Use a racial equity lens.

We want to see a North Carolina where racial and ethnic identity does not predict life outcomes. At the same time, we know that many of our institutions and systems were set up to benefit some North Carolinians and not others.

Across all areas of our work, we take steps to prevent and dismantle racism to ensure all North Carolinians are free to pursue their dreams and lead fulfilling lives.

Encourage connection and collaboration.

Guide long-term progress with bold action.

We confront the status quo and strive to right historical wrongs, continuing North Carolina’s proud history as a bold leader in the South.

Our long-term commitment to the people of NC requires that we meet today’s needs while also supporting systems change to build a just, inclusive and sustainable future for generations to come.

Learn, actively and continuously.

ZSR staff stand in front of a stone chimney

Meet Our People

Our staff and trustees work together to build a more just, inclusive and sustainable North Carolina.

See the Team

Grants + Programs

Our grants and programs support nonprofit organizations working for positive and sustained change in North Carolina.

Learn More

Our History + Mission

What We Do

What Guides Us

Meet Our People

Grants + Programs

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