Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation

Imagine a North Carolina where every working parent or caregiver has access to high-quality, affordable childcare in their community. Our families would feel more supported and less stressed. Our kids would arrive to kindergarten better prepared to succeed socially, emotionally and academically. Our workforce would be more stable, and our economy would be stronger. This future is possible. We’re part of a growing collective of funders committed to ensuring NC’s children and families have what they need to pursue their dreams, and that starts with early childhood education. Check out our letter in EducationNC to learn why investing in early childhood makes sense, and what solutions might look like. It’s time for North Carolina to renew our commitment to early childhood education, and it’s going to take all of us — a public/private partnership of parents, businesses, government, and philanthropy. CHILDTRUST FOUNDATION Dogwood Health Trust HopeStar Foundation Impact Alamance John Rex Endowment Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust Live Oak Bank STEPHEN L CORNWELL FOUNDATION THE CEMALA FOUNDATION, INC. The Duke Endowment THE JOSEPH M BRYAN FOUNDATION OF GREATER GREENSBORO INC The Leon Levine Foundation

Yesterday we attended the closing ceremony of the 2024 Nonprofit Internship Program (NPIP), which facilitated summer internships for 40 extraordinary college students at nonprofits across NC. ZSR has managed NPIP for 11 years, and we are thrilled to announce that moving forward, the program will continue under the leadership of North Carolina Network of Grantmakers!

Did you know NC school districts are adding more than 200 electric buses to their fleets? 🚌 With zero tailpipe emissions, electric buses are better for the environment and for people’s health.  According to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, federal funding from the Clean School Bus Program, combined with clean energy tax credits, makes electric buses price-competitive with their diesel counterparts. 

Chris Watson spent his childhood summers helping his dad fix up homes for families who didn’t have adequate housing. Years later, when Chris found himself living with his wife and newborn in a 25-year-old mobile home with a mold problem, he gained new appreciation for how critical a safe and solid home can be for a family. Now, Chris is Executive Director of the COMMUNITY HOUSING COALITION OF MADISON COUNTY INC, a community-based nonprofit agency that facilitates urgent home repairs for low-income Madison County residents in need of assistance. The organization’s mission to promote and facilitate healthy, safe, and affordable housing through advocacy, education, and resource development. Chris works tirelessly to lead his staff in supporting that mission. Chris is a ZSR Sabbatical Program awardee for 2024. After years of serving others, Chris will take well-deserved time over the next year to focus on his own personal rest and rejuvenation.   Learn more about the ZSR Sabbatical Program:  https://lnkd.in/eP-Bbjc

Equity Before Birth is launching the Liberated Birth Recovery Fund, an innovative program to support working families with access to paid leave when their employers do not provide it. Participating families will receive up to three months of paid leave assistance tailored to each family's needs. They'll also get 10 months of ongoing support around financial literacy, birth and reproductive justice, and holistic wellbeing to overcome the emotional challenges of system oppression. After graduating, participants can apply to become mentors, fostering a community of care and support. Applications for the first cohort are open through July. Please spread the word!

Heading to a swimming hole in Western NC this week? Get the Swim Guide app before you go! https://lnkd.in/etUzTA-H NC nonprofit MountainTrue takes weekly water samples at 96 popular sites in Western NC and reports those results to Swim Guide so you can be sure the water is safe for swimming.

In our June newsletter, we: -Announce new funding for 33 orgs working for local progress across NC -Highlight stories of hope and action from grant partners including NC Child, MountainTrue, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and Equity Before Birth -Provide updates from the Foundation (Grant applications for our State-Level Systemic Change strategy are open through 8/1! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dTYhXZC) Like what you see? Learn something new? Want to give us feedback? Comment below!

📣The Fund’s next round of grant applications will open on July 8! This upcoming grant cycle will award general operating grants up to $40,000 to news and community organizations that fill reporting needs, expand information access, challenge dominant narratives, and activate the storytellers of North Carolina. Existing grant partners and new grant-seekers are eligible to apply. Here’s what you need to know so you can get a head start on your application before our grant application opens on July 8: ✅Learn more about our criteria, the application, and other details about applying for this grant cycle: https://lnkd.in/eTS5yN2i ✅If you’re a grant seeker who hasn’t received a grant from the Fund in 2024, fill out this short Google Form to get access to our grant portal: https://lnkd.in/em5Vv8rN ✅On July 11, the Fund will host a Q&A session to discuss grant eligibility, the application process, the review process, and more. Register today: https://lnkd.in/e-E9HQ7S ✅Sign up for virtual office hours with Lizzy Hazeltine (https://lnkd.in/eKq4jMTt) or Jagmeet Mac (https://lnkd.in/eQZggmZe) to discuss the grant application one-on-one.

When people who have been in prison reenter the community, the transition can be incredibly difficult. They have to find housing and employment, obtain ID, navigate reuniting with family and friends, and more. In NC, there's a new hotline to help make the process smoother. The hotline connects callers with a live agent who can help people access resources for reentry. You can reach the hotline at: 1 (888) 852-0004 Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services Inc. (RREPS) launched the hotline in April. Initial hours of operation will be 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. If you'd like your organization, group or team to be added to the resource list, please reach out to RREPS: https://rreps.net/contact