WS Chronicle

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) is accepting applications for its State-Level Systemic Change Strategy fall 2021 grant cycle until 12 noon on July 22. The grant is open to any eligible local, regional, and statewide organization and coalition or collaborative that is aligned with ZSR’s core values, mission and state-level vision and working to achieve state-level systemic change. ZSR’s State-Level Systemic Change Strategy is one of three major strategies that comprise All For NC: Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation’s Framework for Grantmaking and Learning (https://www.zsr.org/grantmaking-framework) .

The Foundation believes that lasting state-level systemic change is most likely to be achieved and sustained through the combined efforts of networks of local, regional and statewide organizations working with different constituencies; using multiple strategies and approaches; and working together toward common or aligned goals. Local organizations do not have to have a contract or memorandum of understanding or other formal arrangement with a statewide organization to be eligible to apply for a grant. This grant supports organizations that are working to achieve state-level systemic change within and across the following priority areas: Advancing public education; fostering a healthy and sustainable environment; promoting social and economic justice; and strengthening democracy. ZSR recognizes that each of these four areas intersect in multiple ways, and will look for approaches that not only strengthen each, but also work across them.​

Local, regional and statewide organizations that are working to achieve systemic change at the state level, within and across the foundation’s priority areas, are eligible to apply for general operating support grants. Coalitions or collaboratives that are working to achieve systemic change at the state level, within and across the foundation’s priority areas, are eligible to apply for project grants. Local, regional and statewide Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) led and serving organizations that are working to achieve state-level systems change are strongly encouraged to apply.

“For decades, ZSR has supported positive changes to state-level systems and structures to ensure that North Carolina is a place where all people can thrive,” said Maurice “Mo” Green, executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. “We desire for all North Carolinians to have access to high-quality education, to benefit from a healthy and sustainable environment, to enjoy economic opportunity under just and fair rules and to be able to engage fully in civic life. ZSR seeks to invest in local, regional and statewide organizations that are willing to complement and amplify each other’s work towards a vision of state-level systemic change that allows all North Carolinians to have the resources and opportunities necessary to achieve their full potential.”

The deadline to submit a grant application for the State-Level Systemic Change Strategy is July 22 at 12 p.m. (noon). It is important to note that this application deadline is one week earlier than in recent years. In addition, all site visits for the fall 2021 grant cycle will be conducted virtually, either by phone or video.

Trustees will make award decisions in November 2021.

Organizations are encouraged to read through our list of Frequently Asked Questions (https://www.zsr.org/state-level/faq) and Rarely Fund List (https://www.zsr.org/state-level/rarely-funded) to find out more about whether their work fits into the State-Level Systemic Change Strategy.

For more information, including eligibility criteria and/or how to apply, visit: https://www.zsr.org/state-level.

Questions about ZSR’s State-Level Systemic Change Strategy should be directed to info@zsr.org. .