Community Progress Fund

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, a private philanthropic organization focused on improving the quality of life for North Carolinians, offers the Community Progress Fund to support local solutions in the state’s rural areas. The foundation emphasizes community-driven and community-led projects, particularly those initiated by organizations embedded within their local environments. By investing in short-term funding, the program seeks to strengthen the momentum behind existing efforts, allowing grantees to test, expand, or implement solutions that respond to their community’s unique needs. This grant program is targeted exclusively at organizations headquartered in one of North Carolina’s 78 rural counties, as designated by the NC Rural Center. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, or religious institutions. Applicants must demonstrate local impact, readiness to implement upon award, and the ability to build on existing progress. Priority is given to projects that are community-centered and led by individuals of color. Past recipients have included food pantries, family shelters, and preschools, with uses ranging from executive transition planning to facility repairs and pilot programs. Grants are available in amounts ranging from $20,000 to $30,000 per year, for up to two years, with a maximum possible award of $60,000. Applicants may request either one or two years of funding depending on their project needs. However, organizations previously funded by the Community Progress Fund must wait two full years after the end of their grant period before reapplying. The application process begins with an online submission, which includes a standard application form, IRS tax exemption documentation, prior-year expenses, and a proposed budget. Selected applicants will receive a site visit from ZSR staff during the spring. Final award decisions are made by the foundation’s trustees in late spring, with funds distributed in the summer. The 2026 application opens on January 5 at 12 p.m. ET and closes on February 2 at 12 p.m. ET. While the grant does not require matching funds, proposals must clearly articulate how funding will accelerate or scale a project, idea, or organization. Activities that involve lobbying, voter registration, or religious doctrine are ineligible. The foundation does not typically fund one-time events, endowments, or private business ventures. Applicants facing technical issues with submission may contact grants@zsr.org or call 336-725-7541 for assistance. The Community Progress Fund operates on an annual cycle. As such, organizations that miss this year’s deadline may prepare for the following year’s opening, expected in January 2027. ZSR encourages early planning and recommends reviewing its sample application to ensure readiness.

ZSR prioritizes community-led and community-centered projects, especially those led by and serving people of color.