Our Story
History
The Foundation was established in 1919 with a donation of $1,000. We were the first foundation of any type to be established in North Carolina, and we’re the 16th oldest community foundation in the United States. For over a hundred years, thousands of individuals and organizations have partnered with us to improve the quality of life in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, and beyond. Read more in our historical timeline.
HOW We strengthen our community:
- Encouraging & facilitating philanthropy — supporting donors as they establish charitable funds, create planned gifts, and invest in the causes most meaningful to them
- Supporting local nonprofits — making grants to charitable organizations serving Forsyth County in a wide variety of program areas
- Investing in community priorities — addressing local challenges with our partners through grants and technical assistance
- Supporting students & teachers — strengthening education locally by awarding scholarships to students and by providing funding for educators and youth-led projects
Focus Areas
The Foundation is devoting significant resources toward investments in two critical focus areas for our work in Forsyth County:
- Building an Inclusive Economy
- Advancing Equity in Education
Learn more about our focus areas
2025–2030 Strategic Direction
Forsyth County stands at a pivotal moment—facing real challenges, but also extraordinary opportunities for collaboration.
By moving forward through connection and listening deeply, we can embrace change with confidence, knowing our mission is to adapt and learn for the betterment of our community.
A community-powered promise is at the heart of The Winston-Salem Foundation’s 2025–2030 Strategic Direction—keeping us focused on our goals, acting decisively, and investing in a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
our vision
A vibrant, sustainable community where everyone thrives.
our mission
We foster meaningful connections and link resources to purposeful action, creating a brighter future for all who call Forsyth County home.
our BELIEFs
- Relationships are our most valuable resource. We strive to build meaningful relationships and partnerships by listening to understand and seeking diverse perspectives to ensure that our work is informed by and in collaboration with the community.
- Equity makes our vision possible. We seek justice in all our actions, ensuring everyone in our community can access the resources and opportunities needed to thrive.
- Learning is an ongoing journey. We commit to continuously seeking and sharing knowledge with community partners and donors, embracing change, and striving for improvement to ensure our efforts lead to meaningful and sustainable progress.
- Philanthropy is a powerful tool for change. By inspiring and facilitating generosity, we engage with members of our community to contribute in ways that are meaningful to them, driving purposeful and lasting change together.
Our commitment to racial equity
Learn more about how and why the Foundation is applying a racial equity lens to its work in the community—as well as inside its own walls.
Read about our Commitment to Racial Equity
Financial impact
National rankings
Based on FY 2021 CF Insights Survey of 193 U.S. community foundations
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