State-Level Systemic Change Grants is sponsored by Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. State-Level Systemic Change Grants is a grant program from the Z.

Smith Reynolds Foundation that funds organizations working to change policies, power structures, and root causes of challenges so all North Carolinians can lead fulfilling lives.

State-Level Systemic Change - Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation We fund organizations working to change policies, power structures and other root causes of challenges so that all North Carolinians can lead fulfilling lives. We believe in the power of statewide collective action, led by organizations with complementary strengths, strategies and skillsets.

We are not currently accepting applications for this program. Chavi Khanna Koneru, Executive Director of North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT), speaks at the NC General Assembly. Photo courtesy of NCAAT We support organizations working for meaningful and lasting progress within and across four issue areas: Our democracy is strongest when every voice is heard, every vote counts and people come together to shape a better future.

We fund nonprofit organizations working on all these fronts to strengthen North Carolina’s democracy.

Promote free and fair elections and strengthen voting rights Inform people about government policies and practices Increase access to accurate news and information Reduce barriers so that government is more inclusive and accessible for all, especially disenfranchised people and communities At ZSR, we believe that every North Carolinian, across the political spectrum and all 100 counties, should be informed, involved and empowered to participate in our democracy.

Voting should be accessible to all eligible people. Redistricting should create fair maps that ensure voters choose their leaders, not the other way around. Public institutions must be effective, inclusive, responsive and transparent, as they represent and serve the people.

And residents need access to high-quality local news so they know what’s happening in their communities. Working together, we can create a more inclusive multiracial democracy for everyone. Fostering a Healthy and Sustainable Environment All North Carolinians, from the mountains to the coast, deserve clean air, safe water, access to healthy environments and the tools to address and adapt to climate change.

We fund nonprofit organizations working to foster a healthy and sustainable environment.

Ensure everyone has access to healthy air and water Protect and restore significant ecosystems Address environmental threats to our health and support communities facing environmental injustice Mitigate and help communities prepare for the impacts of climate change Promote renewable and sustainable energy At ZSR, we believe that a healthy and sustainable environment is essential for human survival and prosperity.

Clean air and water, in addition to healthy natural ecosystems, are fundamental to people’s health and well-being. Environmental justice efforts are critical to address the layered effects of climate change, industrial polluters, disenfranchisement and systemic racism on communities of color and low-income communities.

Combating climate change while building community resilience is vital for sustaining our quality of life now and for future generations. Working together, we can ensure a sustainable state for all North Carolinians, now and in the future. Advancing Public Education North Carolina benefits when all children, of every background, race and ZIP code, have the freedom to learn and pursue their dreams.

We fund nonprofit organizations working to advance public education for all students in NC, ensuring they can become well-rounded individuals who are prepared to lead in our state.

Ensure NC’s local public schools have the funding they need to be the best in the country Build the public will to support public education Strengthen the early care and education system so NC’s youngest children and their families can thrive Ensure all students have safe and supportive classrooms that celebrate who they are, with excellent educators who represent NC’s diversity Promote innovation in public education so NC is prepared to lead into the future We believe that a strong public education system with well-resourced schools sets North Carolina up for success now and for generations to come.

Local public schools are the heart of our communities. They connect families to critical resources, from meals to mental health services, and are some of our state’s largest employers. Schools that reflect NC’s diversity best prepare children to live, work and lead here.

And, when everyone has access to excellent local public schools, children from families struggling to make ends meet receive the same quality education as those from wealthy families, which is crucial for the long-term well-being of North Carolina. Working together, we can ensure an inclusive, effective and well-resourced public education system that benefits all North Carolinians.

Promoting Social and Economic Justice All North Carolinians, regardless of what they look like, where they live, or how much is in their wallet, should be treated with dignity and respect and feel secure in their ability to provide for themselves and their families. We fund nonprofit organizations that promote social and economic justice in order to build a more just and inclusive society.

Expand economic opportunities, reduce economic disparities and ensure economic self-sufficiency for all Address economic impacts and racial disparities of the criminal justice system Embrace and expand the contributions of and opportunities for immigrants Protect reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy Promote equal rights and opportunities for LGBTQ+ people At ZSR, we know a better future is possible when everyone’s human rights are respected, and all residents can participate and thrive in the economy.

We want all people to feel safe and welcome in our state—to live free from discrimination and harm, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, ability, religion, sexual orientation, country of origin or economic status. We believe people should be able to make decisions about their own bodies.

And we want all people in North Carolina to have access to fair and decent work and the resources needed to create a better life for themselves and their families. Working together, we can create a fairer and more inclusive North Carolina for everyone. We believe in the power of collective action to build a just, inclusive and sustainable future.

We fund nonprofits working for state-wide systems change. Most of our grant partners are working at the state level or regionally, and some are working locally, but all are connected to state-wide efforts to advance just, inclusive and sustainable systems within and across our four issue areas.

View Our Current Grant Partners To apply, organizations must: Be charitable, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations, colleges/universities, religious entities or government units serving the people of North Carolina Use the grant for work that serves the people of North Carolina Out-of-state organizations can apply for projects operating in and benefiting North Carolina.

Strategies and Approaches We support organizations using one or more approaches, including, but not limited to: Coalition/Network-Building Communications/Digital Media We give particular emphasis to supporting populations that have been historically marginalized or excluded from full participation in society, including, but not limited to: We also support work that strengthens the ability of directly impacted communities to shape the decisions and systems that affect their lives.

General Operating Support and Projects Most grants are for multiyear, general operating support. Grant terms are one, two or three years. We also fund individual projects that align with our issue areas.

Grant Amounts and Duration Most grants range from $30,000 to $100,000 per year for one, two or three years, but grants can be higher or lower than this range. ZSR does not set minimum or maximum funding amounts for applicants. The amount requested should align with the scope of work presented.

State-Level Systemic Change grants are made twice per year. Each summer, we have an open application period during which any eligible nonprofit organization can apply. In the winter, we have an invitation-only application period.

Once a year, we open State-Level Systemic Change applications to any eligible organization. Here is the typical timeline: Early June: Application opens Late July: Application closes Fall: ZSR visits select applicants Early December: ZSR trustees determine grants; applicants notified Invitation-Only Application Period Once a year, we consider State-Level Systemic Change applications by invitation only.

Those grant awards are made in May each year. Applying involves submitting an application and, for select applicants, having a site visit with ZSR staff. So you can prepare, we’ve provided a sample application below: Download Sample Application Application Process and Materials When applications are open, here’s how to apply: Click “Apply for Funding” to access the application.

Complete your application and submit through the portal. In addition to the application, we ask for: IRS letter certifying 501(c)(3) status Board members’ names and information Prior, current and next-year budgets Project budget (if applying for project and not general operating support) To prepare, check out this s ample application and sample budgets .

By the end of the month following the application deadline, applicants will be notified if receiving a site visit or if no longer being considered for funding. ZSR staff conduct site visits for selected applicants. ZSR trustees make grant decisions in May (invitation-only cycle) and November (open cycle).

State-Level Systemic Change FAQs All Grants + Programs FAQs What do you mean by “state-level systemic change”? When we refer to “systems,” we are talking about the many conditions that hold social or environmental problems in place, including policies, processes, relationships, power structures, narratives, values, beliefs and more.

We recognize systemic and structural barriers, particularly related to race, prevent many North Carolinians from achieving their dreams and living fulfilling lives. By “systemic change,” we mean working toward fundamental changes in these systems to remove barriers that hold people back, and to build better systems that serve all North Carolinians effectively. Can local or regional organizations apply?

Yes. We believe 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. These organizations work with different constituencies, using multiple strategies and approaches, and collaborate towards common or aligned goals.

We recognize the importance of local organizations in providing on-the-ground capacity for systemic change, and their collective ability to contribute to state-level systemic change. Most of our grant partners work at the state level or regionally, and some operate locally. However, all are connected to statewide efforts to advance just, inclusive and sustainable systems within and across our four issue areas.

We seek to support organizations that are willing to complement and amplify each other’s work. What if my organization's work falls within more than one of ZSR’s priority areas? We often support organizations whose work fits into more than one priority area.

We call this type of work “cross-cutting. ” In the grant application, we ask organizations to briefly explain the nature of their cross-cutting work. Can an organization apply as or through a fiscal sponsor?

Organizations applying as or through a fiscal sponsor should contact ZSR at [email protected] before submitting an application. ZSR will consider grant applications submitted by public charities acting as fiscal sponsors, provided that ZSR is satisfied the fiscal sponsor will exercise actual control over grant funds, rather than acting as a mere agent or conduit for the sponsored organization.

If a grant is awarded to a fiscal sponsor, the fiscal sponsor will be accountable for all aspects of the grant. The fiscal sponsor must provide a copy of any agreement between the fiscal sponsor and the sponsored organization with the grant application. Please be aware that not all arrangements that are described as “fiscal sponsorships” will satisfy IRS requirements.

ZSR does not prepare fiscal sponsorship agreements or otherwise provide legal advice to grant partners or prospective grant partners. We encourage you to seek advice and assistance from your own counsel. Is there any work ZSR does not fund?

ZSR is legally prohibited from funding: Work that supports or opposes individual candidates or influences election outcomes With rare exceptions, ZSR does not fund the following under State-Level Systemic Change: Academic and medical research Animal species preservation or rehabilitation Building projects or renovations Conferences, seminars, or symposiums Equipment, furniture or computer purchases Environmental education centers and programs for children Individual schools or projects that support a limited number of schools within a school district, or a limited number of schools in multiple school districts Individual early childhood centers or out-of-school time programs Teacher professional development Pre-K through 12th grade public school curriculum development and/or implementation Initiatives promoting religious education or doctrine Overhead and indirect costs for colleges and universities Projects that focus exclusively on direct services (e.g., child abuse treatment and prevention services, homeless shelters, health care services) Plant species preservation Preservation of historic properties Private business ventures Supplemental educational programs such as summer camps, athletic teams, drop-out prevention programs, and youth vocational and character development programs Should my organization apply for general operating support or a project grant?

General Operating Support Grants: General operating support grants provide funding for an organization’s overall activities and mission. These grants allow the organization to adapt how it spends the funds based on its needs and the changing environment.

Subject to certain legal restrictions, general operating support can be used flexibly to fund the activities the organization identifies as most important to achieving its mission, including operating expenses and overhead. Project grants support a specific project or activity of the organization and are tied to specific, project-based outcomes.

If your organization is seeking funding for a specific project rather than your overall mission, then a project grant may be the appropriate choice. What is the duration of each grant award? Grant terms are one, two or three years.

Most grants are for two or three years, but there are exceptions for various reasons, such as: The grant partner is new to ZSR. The work to be performed by the grant partner is new, untested or experimental. The work is time-limited.

What are the application deadlines for each cycle, and when will grant decisions be announced?

Open Application Timeline: Early June: Application opens Late July or early August: Application closes September-October: ZSR staff conduct site visits for selected applicants November: ZSR trustees meet to make funding decisions Late November: Applicants are notified of funding decisions January: Grant funds distributed Invitation-Only Application Timeline: Applications for the invitation-only grant cycle are due by a deadline specified by ZSR when invitations are sent out.

Grant decisions for this cycle are made in May. Who should I contact if I have questions about my grant application?

If you’re experiencing technical difficulties with your online application, contact one of our Grants Administrators: For general questions or guidance on your organization’s application: Phone: 336-725-7541 or 1-800-443-8319 Organizing to Protect NC's Children Organizing to Protect NC’s Children We Are Down Home is leading the largest rural organizing effort this century in North Carolina.

They are part of a coalition working to protect public school students and the schools they attend. State-Level Systemic Change The grants support nonprofit organizations working to change policies, power structures and other root causes of challenges so that all North Carolinians can lead fulfilling lives.

Social & Economic Justice The first thing you notice when you visit Men and Women United for Youth and Families (MWUYF) is that it’s hard to find a parking spot. This nonprofit is busy. Youth run in and out of the building, loading boxes of fresh local produce into refrigerated delivery trucks.

Farmers stop by to pick up checks… NC Asian Americans Together (NCAAT) is working to ensure Asian Americans are educated and empowered to participate in the decisions that affect their lives.

View featured grant page for: Community Progress Fund Providing short-term grants for local groups to improve their communities View featured grant page for: Inclusive Public Art Initiative Inclusive Public Art Initiative Investing in public art projects that share under-told stories of North Carolinians View featured grant page for: Sabbatical Program Supporting nonprofit leaders with paid time off to rest and recharge We've detected you might be speaking a different language.

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