The Winston-Salem Foundation

08/20/2026

Housing is more than a place to live—it shapes health, stability, education, economic mobility, and belonging.

In our latest Community Matters blog post, Arleatha Patterson of Partnership for Prosperity and researcher Dr. Stephen Sills explore Forsyth County's housing challenges, the importance of listening to residents closest to the issue, and the solutions needed to help more neighbors find and keep safe, affordable homes.

They also highlight how community-led solutions and cross-sector partnerships can help create a Forsyth County where growth brings opportunity for everyone.

Read more: https://www.wsfoundation.org/blog/housing-for-a-thriving-forsyth-county

08/12/2026

We're kicking off a new year of Youth Grantmakers in Action! 🎉

Our 2026–27 YGA cohort recently gathered at Crossnore's Miracle Heights Adventures center for a day of team-building, connection, and learning. Through low-ropes and aerial challenge course activities, participants built trust, practiced teamwork, and began exploring what it means to be youth philanthropists and community leaders.

The group also reflected on the strengths and challenges they see in our community and began imagining the future they want to help create.

We're excited to see how these early conversations shape their learning, leadership, and grantmaking throughout the year!

08/06/2026

Winston-Salem Freedom Schools is helping young people grow as readers, leaders, and agents of change in their communities. Through culturally relevant learning experiences, students build literacy skills, confidence, and a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom.

We're proud to support this work and the young people shaping the future of Forsyth County. Watch the FOX8 Community Foundation Spotlight to learn more.

Winston-Salem Freedom Schools encourages students to be agents of change

08/03/2026

Stories help us see our community more fully. Through photography, lived experiences become visible, connections deepen, and the people shaping Forsyth County's story remain at the center.

As a supporter of Thriving Together, we're proud to be part of work that recognizes the power of community stories to build understanding and inspire change. Read more about why photography matters.

Two pieces; One Impact

07/07/2026

With the close of the 2025–26 school year, the Education Foundation is looking ahead to its next chapter of supporting Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.

Through the All In For Our Schools campaign, our community raised more than $9.8 million to support students, teachers, and schools across the district, helping reduce district debt, meet classroom needs, support student success, and provide books and textbooks.

As the campaign winds down, the Education Foundation has established the All In For Our Schools Fund to continue supporting critical needs identified in partnership with WS/FCS leaders.

Read the full All In For Our Schools closeout report to learn more about the campaign's impact and what's next:
https://issuu.com/winston-salemfoundation/docs/all_in_for_our_schools_closeout_report

06/26/2026

Our office will be closed June 29–July 3 for summer break, giving our staff time to rest, recharge, and spend time with loved ones.

We believe rest is an important part of sustaining meaningful work, and we're grateful for the opportunity to pause before continuing to serve our community.

Our office will reopen Monday, July 6. Thank you for your understanding!

06/25/2026

We were grateful to be part of last weekend's Juneteenth Festival, hosted by Triad Cultural Arts, joining community members in celebration of freedom, culture, and connection.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the day so meaningful. We're honored to support opportunities that bring people together, uplift local history, and celebrate the strength and joy of our community.

06/18/2026

We were proud to support this year's Pride WS Festival, a celebration of community, belonging, and joy in downtown Winston-Salem.

Staff members April Durr and Camryn Collier joined the festivities and connected with community members along the parade route and in the Arts District.

Thank you to Pride WS and the many local nonprofits, partners, and businesses who helped make this celebration possible.

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