Partnerships

A Note from Joy

Greetings,?

At ZSR, we know we can only have a positive impact when we are partnering with others.

Organizations that receive funding from ZSR are called "grant partners" because we believe our relationship with those groups is a partnership towards a shared vision and better future for North Carolina.

Sometimes, we partner with government or business because the challenges we face as a state require all hands on deck.

And often, we partner with other philanthropies to amplify impact.

This week, for example, ZSR staff celebrated the Nonprofit Internship Program, a collaboration among six NC funders, facilitated by North Carolina Network of Grantmakers , that places college students in internships with NC nonprofits.

The week before, I attended a ribbon-cutting for a new mural in Washington, NC, funded through a partnership between ZSR and the Mellon Foundation .

That same day, ZSR program officers were in Warren County, alongside colleagues from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation and Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust , on a joint site visit with a grant partner we have in common, exploring how our collective partnership is making a difference in that region.?

These examples underscore one of our core beliefs at ZSR: that North Carolinians can accomplish more together than we can individually, and that everyone has a role to play in building a just, inclusive and sustainable future that benefits all of us. ? ?

All For NC,

Joy Vermillion Heinsohn

Executive Director

Get Inspired

Stories of hope and action from ZSR grantees and partners

• In 2020, Asheville became the first city in the US South to commit to a local reparations process, and the Racial Justice Coalition of Asheville, Inc. has been a central advocate for this work. The organization recently released the Every Black Voice Report, the culmination of a participatory research project to uncover perspectives and experiences of Black people in Asheville and Buncombe County.? ?
• The North Carolina Local News Lab Fund is seeking grant applications from organizations that fill reporting gaps and provide critical information so people can connect with each other, participate in democracy and have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. Organizations need to fill out an interest form by August 2; the deadline to apply is August 8. ?
• Outside of Boone, American Rivers and MountainTrue are removing a dam and restoring 35 miles of aquatic habitat in the Watauga River. This work will allow hellbenders, trout and other animals to thrive, help keep waters colder in the face of climate change, and maintain the river’s natural beauty and biodiversity for future generations.? ?
• Need data on NC kids’ well-being? Explore the new KIDS COUNT data. NC Child says though we have room for improvement, we also know what can help: investing in early childhood education and supporting youth mental health. (Related: Another recent report shows that NC teens’ mental health has improved since 2021.)? ?
• The North Carolina Justice Center won a $5.75 million settlement against one of the nation’s largest debt buyers, which will immediately help 18,000 North Carolinians who had been targeted by the company’s predatory actions. The debt buyer also agreed to cancel existing default judgments worth more than $35 million.?

What's New with ZSR?

• Grant applications for our State-Level Systemic Change strategy are currently open. The application deadline is August 1 at noon.
• Since 2011, ZSR has managed the Nonprofit Internship Program (NPIP), and we are excited to announce that the program will continue under the leadership of the North Carolina Network of Grantmakers moving forward. This month we celebrated the 2024 NPIP closing ceremony in Greensboro. ? ?
• Our Inclusive Public Art grant partners in Washington, NC, unveiled their beautiful new mural, Viva La Vida, which celebrates Washington’s Latine community.?