How to Support Racial Equity Work in Forsyth County
In our message to the community earlier this month, we stated our commitment to centering the voices and lived experiences of people of color, recognizing that only by doing this can we improve outcomes for all. Since then, we have heard from many community members who are looking for ways to support this critical racial equity work, especially here in Forsyth County.

We want you to know that as we go forward, we're committed to learning along with you. In an effort to center voices of color, we will commit to using our e-news, social media, and other communication channels to highlight the many black-led nonprofits that we've funded in the past so you can learn more about their work. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, we also want to share a local resource, equityforsyth.com , which includes book and media recommendations, local data on racial disparities, and ways to engage with and support predominantly black-led, yet historically underfunded, organizations. You can be an ally by learning, donating, and spreading the word in your own networks.
Students Scholarships: First Round Recipients Announced
WE'RE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE that $246,352 in merit-based scholarships was recently awarded to 112 local students to help make their dreams of higher education a reality. View first round recipients

Applications for our second round (financial need-based scholarships) are due no later than July 31 , but they are accepted on a rolling basis, so please note the earlier the application is received, the better. These recipients will be announced later this summer. Learn more
Update on Our Work and Facilities
As you are aware, on May 22 the state of North Carolina entered Phase Two of the three-part plan to reopen the state’s economy. We want you to know that at this point in time the Foundation is continuing to work remotely , and we will monitor the state’s health progress before deciding when our offices will reopen. In the meantime, our work continues as always, and we look forward to gathering together as a staff and as a community some day in the future. We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available; please feel free to contact our staff as needed.

The Burress Family Center for Philanthropy will remain closed at least through the end of July. We appreciate your understanding as we strive to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in our community.
Updates on COVID-19 Response Fund Grants
THE FOUNDATION  and United Way of Forsyth County launched the  COVID-19 Response Fund for Forsyth County  in mid-March to support local nonprofits on the front lines who are helping the most economically vulnerable in our community.

During the first phase of grantmaking, the COVID-19 Response Fund provided one-time general operating support to nonprofits to assist with the immediate needs of community members, including food, shelter, housing, and emergency financial assistance.

In this phase,  52 nonprofits were awarded $2,563,000  from private contributions to the Fund. In a separate review process, the City of Winston-Salem awarded an additional $1,000,000 in grants to 23 local nonprofits .
Additional grant rounds are anticipated in late summer or early fall.

To donate, visit  covid19forsyth.org , or if you've already given, please consider making an additional donation. The needs in our community are great, and future grants are dependent on additional fundraising.
Small Business Relief Grants
In early May Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. announced its Small Business Relief Grant Program to provide direct grants to local businesses to assist in their recovery from the economic impact of COVID-19. Special consideration was given to businesses owned by women and people of color, and to those impacted by the Business 40 closure and COVID-19.

The Foundation made a $75,000 Community Grant to support this effort as part of our commitment to reduce the racial wealth gap , earmarking our funding for businesses owned by people of color, as communities of color are often the first impacted by economic downturns and the last to recover.

Learn more in this WSNC Public Radio 90.5 FM spotlight featuring Winston-Salem State University's Chancellor Elwood Robinson and Mark Owens of Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. (The grant program is referenced at 16 min.)
Announcing Grants to Elkin Area Nonprofits
C.B. Eller Teacher Grants Announced
We are pleased to announce 10 grants awarded from the Elkin Funds totaling $32,100 to nonprofits serving the Elkin Tri-County area. Read press release
A total of $6,954 was granted to eight educators in the Wilkes County School System to support their professional development opportunities. Read press release
Broadening Philanthropy
in Our Community
Black Philanthropy Initiative
Stay tuned for more information from BPI on a virtual community conversation to be held in July as well as another Impact Grant round in the same month.
The Women's Fund of Winston-Salem
The Women's Fund changed their 2020 grant program to be less burdensome for grant applicants and more relevant for our current challenging times. Organizations of all sizes can apply for grants from $2,500 up to $15,000. Learn more and apply online by June 26 .
Youth Grantmakers in Action
We want to take a moment to once again thank our incredible group of youth grantmakers for their hard work this year. We will miss our graduating seniors, but we will look forward to reconnecting with many of you again in the fall! Read more about YGA's youth-led 2020 grant recipients .
More Foundation News
– Learn more about Mask the City's remarkable community-wide effort to provide masks to the Winston-Salem community.

– We're proud of our staff member Leila Warren for her 2020 Forsyth County Governor's Volunteer Service Award. Learn more

– Check out our Stories of Impact to learn more about our donors, grantees, and scholarship recipients.
THE WINSTON-SALEM FOUNDATION
751 West Fourth Street, Suite 200, Winston-Salem NC 27101