The Winston-Salem Foundation

06/04/2026

June is National Homeownership Month, and we're proud to support partners helping make the dream of homeownership more attainable for families across our community.

Through financial counseling, credit rebuilding, homebuyer education, and down payment assistance, Financial Pathways of the Piedmont is helping individuals and families build financial stability and create pathways to generational wealth. The Winston-Salem Foundation and the Black Philanthropy Initiative are honored to support this important work.

Watch this FOX8 segment to learn more about the impact of Financial Pathways and how community partnerships are helping more families become homeowners: https://myfox8.com/spotlight/community-foundation/triad-group-helps-people-become-homeowners/

05/28/2026

It’s been a little over a week since our Community Gathering, but our hearts are still full of connection and inspiration! We’re grateful you were part of this magical evening and that Ada Limón‘s words could help fuel the way we all continue to show up for our community, because “hope is not something you have ... it is something you do.”

The full video recording is now on our website at wsfoundation.org/gathering

05/26/2026

"May we remember we were never meant to do this great work alone."

At this year's Community Gathering, local poet and writer Jacinta V. White opened the evening with Inside Possibility, a newly commissioned poem inspired by Winston-Salem and the power of community.

Read the full poem and White's reflections on writing it on our blog.

https://www.wsfoundation.org/blog/inside-possibility

05/21/2026

The United Way of Forsyth County team was honored to attend the 2026 Winston-Salem Foundation Community Gathering, an inspiring evening of connection, creativity, and shared purpose.

This year’s gathering featured a powerful keynote and conversation with Ada Limón, award-winning author and the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States. Her words reminded us that storytelling and shared language can serve as tools of hope and resilience, strengthening our ability to care for one another and for our community.

05/21/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2026 Community Gathering: Poetry, Place, Possibility.

We were honored to welcome Ada Limón for an evening of poetry, storytelling, and conversation centered on connection, community, and possibility.

The evening began with a powerful reading of "Inside Possibility" by local poet and writer Jacinta V. White, reminding us that “we were never meant to do this great work alone.”

We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this gathering so special. Let’s continue building a community rooted in connection, creativity, and care for one another.

05/20/2026

The application for Youth Grantmakers in Action (YGA) is open.

YGA is a youth-led program of The Winston-Salem Foundation that gives high school students the opportunity to build leadership skills, represent youth in the community, and help make grants to youth-directed projects across Forsyth County.

If you're a rising 10th–12th grader who wants to make an impact in your community, we encourage you to apply.

Learn more and apply by June 5: https://www.wsfoundation.org/strategic-initiatives/youth-grantmakers

05/19/2026

A truly amazing evening! Thanks so much to everyone who came out to experience Ada Limón’s powerful words.

Last night, we had the opportunity to join The Winston-Salem Foundation 2026 Community Gathering, Poetry Place, and Possibility featuring award-winning poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón. ✨

Through readings from her work and reflections on connection, Ada reminded us to find beauty and joy in the everyday moments and the world around us. Her message centered on storytelling, shared language, and human connection. 💙

After the event, our Board Chair, Felice Brenner, and Executive Director, Selene Johnson, bumped into Ada at a restaurant nearby. You know we couldn't sneak out of there without a photo! 📸

It was a truly powerful evening that brought our community together — a night that shined a light on the beauty, possibility, and connection that exists all around us. We’re grateful to have shared in such an inspiring experience!

05/14/2026

Join us next Monday for our Community Gathering!

This annual event brings together community members from across Forsyth County for an evening of connection, reflection, and conversation. This year, we're honored to welcome keynote speaker Ada Limón, award-winning author and the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate.

Together, we'll explore this year's theme, Poetry, Place, Possibility, and reflect on the power of storytelling and shared language to strengthen community and imagine what's possible together.

Register: https://www.wsfoundation.org/register

05/12/2026

We're honored to welcome local poet and writer Jacinta V. White to this year's Community Gathering.

The evening program will begin with a newly commissioned poem reading by White, whose work reflects the power of storytelling, connection, and community.

Join us on May 18 for an evening of poetry, place, and possibility featuring keynote speaker Ada Limón, the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate.

Register now: wsfoundation.org/register

05/12/2026

President of The Winston-Salem Foundation LaTida Smith recently joined Triad Today to talk about the Foundation's work in Forsyth County and our upcoming Community Gathering on May 18.

This year's theme, Poetry, Place, Possibility, will feature a keynote conversation with Ada Limón, award-winning author and the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate, and explore how storytelling and shared language can inspire connection, hope, and community.

Watch the conversation and learn more about this year's gathering.
https://youtu.be/woqhzzr_dfo
Register here: wsfoundation.org/register

President of The Winston-Salem Foundation LaTida Smith recently joined Triad Today to talk about the Foundation’s work in Forsyth County and our upcoming Com...