Scholarship Application Opens Soon
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD that our one-stop scholarship application goes live on December 15. Please encourage local students in your networks to visit wsfoundation.org/students to learn more.

An important change this year: to be considered for most scholarships, applicants must first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Note: students who are unable to complete the FAFSA (such as non-citizens without a green card or permanent status) are still eligible to apply when our scholarship portal opens.
 
In the 2020-2021 school year, over 130 WSF scholarship funds supported almost 600 local students with more than $1.2 million in much-needed scholarship support.

Want to help local students achieve higher education? Make a gift to our scholarship fund or email us to establish your own fund!
Leadership Transition Update
OUR PRESIDENT'S 32 years of service to the Foundation come to a close this week as Scott Wierman leaves to become president and chief executive of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. We are thankful for his many years of leadership to our staff, board, supporting committees, and to the community as a whole. Please take a moment to read Scott's parting words.

During the search period for a new president, the role of interim president will be filled by executive vice president Lisa Purcell who has spent 14 years managing the day-to-day operations of the Foundation. The selection of an executive search firm should be finalized in early December, and we look forward to sharing updates with you as we move into 2021.
COVID-19
Response Fund
Awards Final Grants
Application Open
for Forsyth County Teacher Grants
A total of $736,617.92 has been awarded to 36 local nonprofit and charitable organizations in the third and final phase of grants awarded from the COVID-19 Response Fund for Forsyth County.

Educators in Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools can apply for Forsyth County Teacher Grants of up to $2,500 for professional growth and enrichment opportunities in the coming year. 

Apply online through January 5.
Year-End Giving Tools
AS YOU CONTEMPLATE your end-of-year tax decisions, don't forget to consider tools that can reduce your tax liability.

  • Stock Market Growth can lead to tax liabilities. Donating appreciated stock (owned for more than a year) can be a tax-effective asset to establish a variety of charitable funds. Current fundholders: please notify Angela Breathette of any impending stock gifts.

  • Non-Endowed Donor-Advised Funds can be established in a day and offer an immediate tax deduction while providing flexibility in the timing of future charitable distributions. Learn more

  • IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD): individuals 70 ½ and older can direct up to $100,000 each year to nonprofits. (The distribution is not considered federal taxable income.) A QCD can help establish an endowment providing perpetual income for a favorite nonprofit or even a scholarship fund for local students. Read more
Your Support Can Make a Big Difference in Forsyth County
IN MARCH, AS THE GRAVITY OF THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT was becoming clear, the Foundation mobilized to support community members most economically impacted by supporting the COVID-19 Response Fund for Forsyth County and by offering Nonprofit Adaptation Grants.

Flexible grantmaking dollars funded our response to COVID-19, just as they have when tackling past challenges. They also enable us to pursue strategic opportunities, including our steadfast focus on building racial equity in Forsyth County. Join us today by supporting one or more of these funds: 

  • The Next Century Fund for Community Grantmaking – provides proactive and responsive grants in the community Give to the NCF

  • Black Philanthropy Initiative Grantmaking Fund – supports grants made by Black community volunteers to fund programs strengthening local Black communities Give to BPI

  • The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem Grantmaking Fund – supports grants to build the economic security of women and girls through a collective giving circle Give to The Women's Fund

We’re grateful that community members have always helped Winston-Salem thrive when challenges and opportunities arise. Thank you for ensuring that we’ll always be ready to respond, both today and in the future. 
Broadening Philanthropy
in Our Community
Black Philanthropy Initiative
BPI is now accepting Equity in Education grant proposals of up to $10,000 so that Black students and graduates can gain access, advance, and receive the support they need to thrive.

Review the Grant Guidelines and apply online through December 1.
The Women's Fund of Winston-Salem
The Women's Fund awarded 10 grants totaling $142,560 at their 15th annual luncheon, which was held virtually last Tuesday. Review grants.

The Fund also unveiled a new research report, Through a Gender Lens: The Economic Security of Women and Girls in Forsyth County in 2020, and hosted a panel discussion around the issues and metrics uncovered in the report. Watch a recording.
Youth Grantmakers in Action
YGA is accepting grant proposals from youth-led groups! Read the Grant Guidelines and apply by January 29. 

Sign up for YGA's Virtual Grantwriting Workshop on Wednesday, January 13 at 5:00PM to learn how to create a strong grant proposal.
More Community News
– United Way of Forsyth County requests proposals for its Place Matters initiative

– Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation is accepting applications for its Community Progress Fund

– Learn more about the local economic impact of COVID-19 in Forsyth Futures' online report
THE WINSTON-SALEM FOUNDATION
751 West Fourth Street, Suite 200, Winston-Salem NC 27101