Strategic Initiative Grants: BPI Building An Inclusive Economy Grants

Strategic Initiative Grants: BPI Building An Inclusive Economy Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Winston-Salem Foundation
Last Updated: January 17, 2025

Summary

The Strategic Initiative Grants by the Winston-Salem Foundation aim to build an inclusive economy for Black communities in Forsyth County. The program supports organizations focused on economic empowerment, addressing systemic inequities that affect Black residents. Grants are available for initiatives that create pathways to high-paying careers, promote financial stability, and support Black-owned businesses. This program reflects a commitment to fostering sustainable growth and equitable opportunities for all community members.

Overview

Note: Building an Inclusive Economy Grant applications are considered once a year in the fall; applicants will receive a decision after a two to three-month review period. Mission & History Why Black Philanthropy? Racial inequities exist in all our systems, including criminal justice, health, housing, wages, and education, and they continue to disproportionately affect Black people in Forsyth County. BPI is a 100% Black-led initiative of The Winston-Salem Foundation that is explicitly, not exclusively, focused on grantmaking and programming that strengthens our local Black communities. By joining together with people from all walks of life in Forsyth County, we work to educate and effect change to build a better future for Black people, their families, and their communities. Our History Since 2003, BPI has built on a generous and deep legacy of philanthropy in Winston-Salem’s Black communities. Learn more about our history, how we got started, and the exciting growth we’ve experienced. Our Mission The Black Philanthropy Initiative (BPI) engages people to invest their time, talent, and treasure to strengthen and support Black communities in Forsyth County. What We Do Black Philanthropy: Building on strong giving traditions and investing collective time, talent, and treasure to strengthen Black communities in Forsyth County. Targeted Grantmaking: Providing grants to local nonprofits and organizations to advance economic and educational equity with an explicit focus on Black individuals and communities. Research + Advocacy: Coming together as a community to discuss systemic barriers, both current and historical, that stand in the way of and deny Black community members the resources they need to build a better future. Building an Inclusive Economy Grants In BPI’s 2018 Rethinking Philanthropy report, data reveals how Black residents in Forsyth County are disproportionately affected by systematic inequities—Black workers are more likely to be in low-wage positions, not have access to livable wages, and live in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty and neglect. According to our research, there are no scenarios where a minimum wage job is sufficient to support even a single individual, yet for many Black residents and families, it’s all that is available to them. We know that this data is the result of centuries of policies, rules, and practices intentionally and unintentionally designed to deny Black families the access to resources they need to achieve their dreams and take care of their loved ones. And while no one grant program can possibly lead to a truly inclusive economy, we know that there are organizations in our community doing incredibly impactful work with Black families that need additional resources. The Building an Inclusive Economy grant program is designed to support organizations that focus on economic empowerment for Black households and work to rewrite the rules to make Forsyth County a place where we all have the resources we need to support our families. This grantmaking program aligns with The Winston-Salem Foundation’s focus area of the same name though our decision-making is distinct. Please see FAQs for additional guidelines and information.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We support grant proposals that: address one or more of the following areas we see as critical to building economic security and prosperity for Black households in Forsyth County: creating accessible pathways to family-sustaining and high-paying careers, offering tools for wealth-building and financial stability, and supporting a thriving community of Black-owned businesses. are being implemented by a 501(c)(3) organization, public school or higher education institution, or a faith-based organization. Organizations that do not have a 501(c)(3) may ask an organization with this exemption to serve as a fiscal agent.BPI will fund nonprofits, schools, or faith-based organizations providing resources or programming for Black entrepreneurs and small business owners.Examples of potential grant requests include: programs that support Black entrepreneurs, programs that support Black families wanting to learn about investing or how to purchase a home, or programs that provide inclusive pathways to family-sustaining careers.

Ineligibility

BPI’s grants are not for businesses.