Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc
Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) is a private family foundation headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Established in 1936 as a memorial to Zachary Smith Reynolds, the youngest son of the founder of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, the foundation has nearly a century of history supporting charitable work across North Carolina. ZSR operates with a staff of 18 employees and maintains an active grantmaking program focused on systemic change and community development.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.6M
-6.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$21.7M
-9.9% YoY
Grant Count
298
-2.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$73K
-7.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $488K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
ZSR's mission is to improve the quality of life for all North Carolinians. The foundation's founding charter states its purpose as "the accomplishment of charitable works in the state of North Carolina."
The foundation's vision is a just, inclusive and sustainable North Carolina, where people embrace common humanity and work together to shape their collective future.
ZSR's work centers on three main activities:
- Make Grants — Providing grants to nonprofit organizations working statewide and locally to improve systems and meet communities' needs
- Support Partners — Supporting North Carolina's nonprofit sector with opportunities to connect, learn and enhance skills
- Bring People Together — Connecting changemakers to build relationships, facilitate learning and spark new ideas
Primary funding areas include:
- Community Development (27% of giving)
- Education (27% of giving)
- Social & Human Services (21% of giving)
Grantmaking
Funds organizations working to change policies, power structures and other root causes of challenges to ensure all North Carolinians can thrive.
Review Cycle
of January 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
93% of ZSR's grants stay in North Carolina. The foundation serves the entire state through statewide, regional and community-based grantmaking.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $23.6 million (2024)
Annual Revenue: $25.3 million (2024)
Annual Expenses: $26.8 million (2024)
Total Giving: $53.3 million (cumulative)
Cumulative Investment: Nearly $700 million invested since founding in 1936
Tax Status: Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization since May 1939 (EIN: 58-6038145)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,600,855 | $25,109,679 | $28,269,112 |
| Revenue | $25,288,862 | $25,216,380 | $27,918,388 |
| Expenses | $26,797,686 | $28,375,813 | $24,079,195 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $26,743,835 | $28,336,477 | $24,278,166 |
| Net Investment Income | $418,425 | $386,759 | $214,782 |
| Distributable Amount | $488,296 | $694,493 | $700,694 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc
State-Level Systemic Change Grant
Z SMITH REYNOLDS FOUNDATION INC
Amount
US $30,000 - US $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
ZSRF: Community Progress Fund Grant
Z SMITH REYNOLDS FOUNDATION INC
Amount
US $20,000 - US $60,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
ZSRF: Sabbatical Program Grant
Z SMITH REYNOLDS FOUNDATION INC
Amount
US $40,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Blueprint Nc ($300,000), Arise Collective ($225,000), Beloved Community Center of Greensboro ($170,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 885 WFDD - WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY WINSTONSALEM, NC | EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFTS PROGRAM | $1,200 |
| ACTION FOR THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY CHARLESTOWN, MA | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT OF ITS NORTH CAROLINA PROGRAMS | $50,000 |
| ACTION INSTITUTE NC CHARLOTTE, NC | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ACTION4EQUITY WINSTONSALEM, NC | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ALLEGHANY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN SPARTA, NC | PROGRESS FUND PROJECT | $20,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION CHAPEL HILL, NC | MUSEUM OF THE SOUTHEAST AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE PRESERVATION PROJECT | $50,000 |
| ALMOND CONNECTION GREENSBORO, NC | PROGRESS FUND PROJECT | $20,000 |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF NC LEGAL FOUNDATION RALEIGH, NC | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| AMERICAN RIVERS WASHINGTON, DC | EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFTS PROGRAM AND GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,500 |
| APPALACHIAN VOICES BOONE, NC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, WNC DISASTER RELIEF | $70,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director Joy Vermillion Heinsohn
Director of Communications Katie Mikush Fogleman
Director of Partner Engagement Nora Carr
Other Key Staff The foundation employs program officers, directors of finance and operations, and strategy and learning staff, along with administrative and support personnel.
Board of Trustees The foundation is governed by a board of trustees with members based in various North Carolina communities and the broader Southeast.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOY VERMILLION HEINSOHN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 40 | $319,000 |
| PAMELA SPALDING | ASSISTANT TREASURER | 40 | $180,250 |
| NATALIE DITTA | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 40 | $86,275 |
| VIRGIL SMITH | PRESIDENT | 5 | $11,575 |
| ANNA WARBURTON MUNROE | VICE PRESIDENT | 5 | $10,750 |
| PIPER NEAL BEVERIDGE | TREASURER | 5 | $10,750 |
| ANGELA BRYANT | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 5 | $4,125 |
| ANITA BROWN-GRAHAM | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 5 | $11,575 |
| DANIEL CLODFELTER | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 5 | $10,750 |
| DAVID L NEAL | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 5 | $11,575 |
| ILANA DUBESTER | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 5 | $9,925 |
| JANE S PATTERSON | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 5 | $3,325 |
| JOSE OLIVA | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 5 | $9,925 |
| MARY B MOUNTCASTLE | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 5 | — |
| NANCY R BAGLEY | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 5 | $11,575 |
| STEPHEN L NEAL | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 5 | — |
| W NOAH REYNOLDS | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 5 | $11,575 |
Contact Information
Address: Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation 102 W Third St. Suite 1110 Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Phone: (336) 725-7541
Email: info@zsr.org
Website: zsr.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc fund?
ZSR's mission is to improve the quality of life for all North Carolinians. The foundation's founding charter states its purpose as "the accomplishment of charitable works in the state of North Carolina." The foundation's vision is a just, inclusive and sustainable North Carolina, where people embrace common humanity and work together to shape their collective future. ZSR's work centers on three main activities: • **Make Grants** — Providing grants to nonprofit organizations working statewide an…
How do I apply for a grant from Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc?
**State-Level Systemic Change** Funds organizations working to change policies, power structures and other root causes of challenges to ensure all North Carolinians can thrive. **Community Progress Fund** Provides short-term grants for local groups across rural North Carolina to meet direct needs, test ideas and expand promising efforts to improve their communities. Applications for Summer 2025 are currently open, with a deadline of January 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET. **Inclusive Public Art Initi…
Where does Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc make grants?
93% of ZSR's grants stay in North Carolina. The foundation serves the entire state through statewide, regional and community-based grantmaking.
What size grants does Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc awarded 298 grants totaling $21.7M — an average of about $73K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $488K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc's EIN?
Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-6038145. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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