ZSRF: Community Progress Fund Grant

ZSRF: Community Progress Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
Amount: US $20,000 - US $60,000
Last Updated: April 03, 2026

Summary

The ZSRF Community Progress Fund Grant supports local organizations in North Carolina's rural counties by providing short-term funding to address community needs, enhance projects, and foster innovative ideas. The grant aims to empower groups such as food banks and shelters, emphasizing community-driven solutions and inclusivity. With funding between $20,000 and $30,000 annually for one or two years, it encourages applicants to demonstrate existing momentum and align with the foundation's core values.

Overview

Community Progress Fund Across North Carolina’s rural counties, local organizations are doing incredible work to serve their communities. ZSR helps them take their work to the next level by providing an infusion of short-term funding that allows organizations to meet direct needs, test new ideas or expand promising efforts. Community Progress Fund grants help local organizations in North Carolina’s 78 rural counties move an idea, issue, project or organization forward, with the goal of improving their community. Grants are meant to help groups build on existing momentum to take their work to the next level. We support a range of organizations, from food banks to family shelters, daycares to theaters. We have funded executive director transition planning, pilot programs, and even building repairs for anchor organizations to ensure they can continue serving their communities. We believe in the power of home-grown solutions driven and led by community members. The criteria for this grant program are intentionally broad because we want to be responsive to communities’ diverse needs. Criteria and Funding Priorities Criteria are intentionally broad so that we can be responsive to communities’ diverse needs. To be considered for funding, in addition to meeting eligibility requirements, grant applicants must: Demonstrate how they will move an idea, issue, organization or project forward to improve their community Demonstrate that there is existing momentum within the community to move the idea, issue, organization or project forward, and describe how the grant will accelerate, test or grow the momentum Be able to begin implementation of a proposal immediately upon award of the grant Have a proposal that aligns with ZSR’s core values ZSR prioritizes the following for funding: Proposals that have the greatest potential to achieve local impact and make progress, as defined by the applicant, with the grant Proposals for projects that are community-driven, community-led and community-centered ZSR strongly encourages applications from organizations that are led by and primarily serve people of color. What do you mean by “progress”? We define “progress” as moving an idea, issue, organization or project forward to improve a community. This definition is intentionally broad because local context varies across NC, and local organizations know their communities best. Through the Community Progress Fund, we want to learn how different communities experience change, opportunity and challenges in unique ways; how applicants define “progress” specifically in their communities; and what local organizations are doing to make an impact in places across NC. Through the Community Progress Fund, we want to learn how different communities experience change, opportunity and challenges in unique ways; how applicants define “progress” specifically in their communities; and what local organizations are doing to make an impact in places across NC. Funding Grant amounts range from $20,000-$30,000 per year for one or two years. Organizations should not apply for funds outside of this grant range amount. Organizations are encouraged to apply for the amount of funding that they deem necessary in year one and in year two, as long as it falls within the $20,000-$30,000 range per year.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We fund organizations across rural NC working to move an idea, issue, project or their organization forward with the goal of improving their local communities.To apply, organizations must:Have 501(c)3 status or be government or religious entities operating in NC Be located in one of North Carolina’s 78 rural counties Use the grant for work that serves the people of their community Not have received a Community Progress Fund grant within the previous two years

Ineligibility

ZSR is legally prohibited from funding:Lobbying effortsVoter registrationWork that supports or opposes political candidates or influences election outcomesWith rare exceptions, ZSR does not fund the following with Community Progress Fund:Athletic events or teams Stand-alone, one-time or annual conferences, seminars, or symposiums  Curriculum development Emergency medical service organizations Endowment funds Equipment or furniture purchases Fundraising events Initiatives promoting religious education or doctrine Land easements  Medical research Operating expenses for schools Payments of debts Private business ventures Private or charter K-12 schools Scholarships Summer camps Volunteer fire departments