Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Incorporated
Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation is a private foundation based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that supports efforts to improve the quality of life for North Carolinians. The site outlines grant programs and focus areas including democracy, environment, public education, and social and economic justice.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A North Carolina-focused nonprofit, university program, or coalition working in democracy, education, environment, or social and economic justice with demonstrated impact and readiness for multi-year general operating or capacity support.
Good Fit
- • Primary operations or programs based in North Carolina.
- • Work aligns with the foundation’s stated focus areas (democracy, education, environment, justice).
- • Requests for general operating support or capacity-building grants.
- • Evidence of partnerships or regional leadership (coalitions, internship host sites).
- • Organizational scale and capacity to manage grants in the $25K–$400K range.
Geography
Giving is heavily concentrated in North Carolina — roughly 91% of grant dollars went to NC in the latest year, although a small number of grants appeared in other states (grants reached organizations across about 16 states).
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows a large, diverse cohort of recipients (298 distinct grantees) with both substantial returning partners and a meaningful number of new entrants, and low dollar concentration across the top recipients.
New Applicants
Observed behavior shows substantial entry of new grantees (118 new recipients in the latest year) but the foundation publicly states it only accepts preselected applicants, so while new organizations do enter the portfolio, unsolicited applicants face an invitation-driven process.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
