Small Grants (The Winston-Salem Foundation)

Small Grants (The Winston-Salem Foundation) is sponsored by The Winston-Salem Foundation. This program provides grants to charitable organizations and groups serving Forsyth County, North Carolina, with annual incomes of $150,000 or less. It supports a variety of program areas and purposes, valuing asset-based approaches, social capital building, feasibility, inclusivity, and impact.

Small Grants - The Winston-Salem Foundation Nonprofits & Community Groups The Foundation makes Small Grants to charitable organizations and groups serving Forsyth County, North Carolina with annual incomes of $150,000 or less. This program provides grants of up to $2,000 to support a variety of program areas and purposes. The maximum grant available for youth athletic teams is $500.

KEY DATES: 2026 grant cycles Winter: opens January 15, closes February 16 at 5:00 PM Summer: opens July 15, closes August 17 at 5:00 PM Notification of funding decisions: one month after each closing date A strong Small Grant application will demonstrate some, if not all, of the following characteristics: Can you give examples of what would or would not qualify for a Small Grant?

Small Grants are available to organizations and groups with annual incomes of $150,000 or less to support a range of projects and services. While we make occasional grants for equipment, time-limited projects, and special events, these are a lower priority.

The Foundation does not award Small Grants to support the following: Religious activities that serve only the members of a single congregation or promote a particular faith For-profit entities or collaborations that would benefit for-profit entities Start-up or operational expenses (such as legal fees to establish a nonprofit, office space, or other ongoing operational costs) Projects that will have concluded by the time a funding decision is issued (see key dates above) Projects that do not serve Forsyth County, North Carolina Do you offer multi-year grants?

Due to limited funding and the intention to support a diverse range of program areas and organizations, the Foundation may not be able to support the same programs or organizations year after year. What are some examples of Small Grants you've made?

Action4Equity – $1,000 for volunteer training to advance equity in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools DENT Creative Reuse Center & Art Laboratory – $500 to support the “Mixed Doubles” creative learning project highlighting diverse viewpoints Easton Neighborhood Association – $500 for a cultural immersion community day Lights Out Track & Field Club – $500 for youth track scholarships NC Cooperative Extension Service (Forsyth County ) – $1,000 for the urban farm school Next Level Youth Enrichment Program – $800 for a youth coding program North Carolina Always – $1,000 for “The Problem of 52” photography project centered around families systemically displaced through reconstruction in the Happy Hills Garden Community Scholars for North Carolina’s Future – $830 to support the “Voting Rights Teach-In” Triad Restorative Justice – $1,000 for the “Circle Keepers” initiative and $800 for training development on restorative practices Triad Cultural Arts – $1,000 for research, design, and production of a mobile exhibit celebrating Winston-Salem’s rich African American history Winston-Salem City-Wide Parent Academy – $500 to host parent academy sessions Can I preview the application questions before I apply?

Yes, please see the document below. Sample Small Grant Application Questions Can I discuss my proposal idea with you before applying? Yes, if you have a proposal idea you’d like to discuss, we’d like to hear from you!

You're not required to meet with our staff before applying, but many groups find it helpful to discuss their idea with our team. To schedule a conversation, contact us (below) at least one week before the application deadline. Note: we cannot guarantee a meeting close to the deadline due to increased call volume.

If we’re a faith-based organization can we apply for a grant? Grant Guidelines for Faith-Based Organizations Can we apply for a grant if we’re based outside of Forsyth County? If your organization is based outside of Forsyth County but serves a wide geographic area that includes Forsyth County, the Foundation will consider a grant for the portion of the project that impacts Forsyth County.

If you are based outside of Forsyth County and you also don't serve Forsyth County, you are not eligible to apply for funding. Who makes the final grant funding decisions? While final grant decisions rest with our volunteer governing boards, our staff serve as dedicated liaisons for each funding opportunity.

abrewer@wsfoundation. org (336) 607-5106