Community Grants: Capital Improvement Grants

The Winston-Salem Foundation offers Capital Improvement Grants to nonprofits in Forsyth County, NC, supporting projects that enhance physical assets, such as property and technology, with grants up to $25,000. Organizations can only have one active grant at a time and must wait three years after receiving funding before applying again. Priority is given to projects that improve ADA accessibility, support animal welfare, and beautify the community, ensuring lasting impact and sustainability.

Winston-Salem Foundation - What We Do
Community Investment: We offer proactive and responsive grantmaking and we build deep community partnerships to strengthen Forsyth County.Philanthropic Services: We partner with generous community members to make impactful and lasting gifts, both locally and beyond.Student Aid: We provide scholarships to local students in their quest for higher education.Strategic Initiatives: We amplify the voices and collective impact of local youth, women and girls, and Black communities.
Capital Improvement Grants support time-limited projects for nonprofits in Forsyth County, North Carolina to acquire, upgrade, and maintain physical assets (such as property, buildings, technology, or equipment). This program provides grants of up to $25,000.
Organizations may have only one funded Capital Improvement Grant open at a time. (However, they may have concurrent funding open for Capacity-Building Grants, Small Grants, Focus Area Investments, and/or Strategic Initiative Grants.)
Organizations that have received Capital funding are asked to wait three years before submitting an additional request.
What We Fund
New and existing facilities (renovations, upgrades, repairs, and ADA accessibility)Major material goods (equipment, vehicles, and furniture)Technology and softwareBeautification (green spaces, landscaping, gardens, lighting, fencing, etc.)Equipment, furniture, and supplies (lower priority)
A strong application will demonstrate:
Two years of organizational operationProven track record of service in Forsyth CountyDiverse leadership representative of the community it servesHow the organization gains insights from people with lived experience in the area(s) of service(s) providedFinancial statements demonstrating revenue and expenses over two years (current year and previous year) – an audit is helpful, but not requiredClear project plansDescription of project needOrganizational capacity to manage the scale of the projectAbility to sustain any ongoing maintenance costs

Eligibility

The Foundation makes grants to charitable organizations serving the greater Forsyth County area of North Carolina through its Community Grantmaking process.A strong application will demonstrate:Two years of organizational operationProven track record of service in Forsyth CountyFinancial statements demonstrating revenue and expenses over two years (current year and previous year) – an audit is helpful, but not requiredClear project plansDescription of project needOrganizational capacity to manage the scale of the projectAbility to sustain any ongoing maintenance costsDiverse leadership representative of the community it servesHow the organization gains insights from people with lived experience in the area(s) of service(s) providedWe fund faith-based organizations (churches, synagogues, mosques) when the organization is providing a social service, as long as it doesn’t serve only the members of a single congregation or promote a particular religious doctrineGrant Guidelines for Faith-Based OrganizationsIf your organization is based outside of Forsyth County but serves a wide geographic area that includes Forsyth County, the Foundation will consider a grant for the portion of the project that impacts Forsyth County.

Ineligibility

Expenses that are not eligible for funding:Operations (utilities/rent, legal/financial services)Programming/servicesNew or existing staffWe do not make grants for religious activities that serve only the members of a single congregation or promote a particular religious doctrine. (guidelines for grants to religious organizations)If you are based outside of Forsyth County and you also don't serve Forsyth County, you are not eligible to apply for funding.