2019 Centennial Overview
We enjoyed celebrating our 100th birthday with the entire community in 2019. Honoring our past, but looking ahead to our second century of service, we're learning and evolving to better support our vision for Winston-Salem to become a generous and trusting community where everyone is thriving.
Noteworthy in 2019
- New branding and this redesigned website with a historical timeline, stories of impact, and resources for donors, students, professional advisors, and grant seekers
- Our $500,000 matching gift challenge was reached, supporting the Next Century Fund to increase the flexible grantmaking funds we can offer in Forsyth County
- Realigned community grantmaking provided more resources for two critical focus areas: Building an Inclusive Economy and Advancing Equity in Education
- Support for community events including Bookmarks’ Festival of Books and Authors, Fiesta, National Black Theatre Festival, and RiverRun International Film Festival
- Expanded coverage in local publications, including Black Business Inc, The Chronicle, Forsyth Family, Que Pasa, The Winston-Salem Journal, Winston-Salem Works, and Winston-Salem Monthly
- Made a commitment to advancing racial equity across all our work in Forsyth County, including intensive work within our own walls.
- Participatory grantmaking round focused on alleviating transportation barriers in our community
- Hosted community events such as May’s Centennial Community Luncheon, December’s A Conversation with David Brooks and three summer Community Screenings of America to Me
- Our Centennial Gift to the Community: a $125,000 grant to create sustainable pollinator gardens at Quarry Park in 2020
On behalf of our entire staff and board, thank you for your many contributions to the Foundation and to our community during our special 2019 centennial year.
Centennial Highlights
2019 Centennial Community Luncheon
On May 1, we welcomed an enthusiastic crowd of 1,250 community members to the Benton Convention Center for the Foundation's 2019 Centennial Community Luncheon.
The event kicked off with outstanding student performances by the Carver High School Drumline and the Simon G. Atkins High School A Capella group. The program progressed with remarks from past and present Foundation volunteers who introduced a series of four videos reflecting on the Foundation's legacy, its present impact, and collective aspirations for the future of this community. After the program, community members visited our Centennial Photo Wall to share their hopes and dreams for Winston-Salem.
Many thanks to the 92 table sponsors who supported greater community access to the luncheon.
Community Luncheon Photos
Centennial Photo Wall
Better Communities & Better Lives: a Conversation with David Brooks
More than 1,300 community members joined us on December 5 at Reynolds Auditorium to hear from New York Times columnist David Brooks as he shared his thoughts on how to strengthen connections and our community in a fragmented world. After his keynote, Brooks was joined on stage for more conversation with Dr. Elwood Robinson, chancellor of Winston-Salem State University.