A foundation for our future

In March 2023, the Education Foundation for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools was formed based on a shared belief that when our community works together, we can do more to support student success. Our efforts are designed to raise funding to meet teaching and enrichment needs through the school system.

Due to community support and funding, the foundation will offer teaching and enrichment grants in 2024. The foundation will increase the funding available for grants and other initiatives as we begin our fundraising campaign.

All three of my sons graduated from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Schools. I saw it then and I see it still now – we have incredible teachers and leaders who are passionate about helping our students thrive. 

But as a state, North Carolina doesn’t fund our schools at the level of our aspirations.

That’s why at the Education Foundation, we serve as a stable force for our educators and students. 

What’s an education foundation? 

Public school districts rely on tax dollars to run schools – think maintaining buildings, paying salaries, and buying books and other education tools. 

Too often, these budgets are barely enough to keep the lights on. There’s rarely money left over for the innovative tools, creative projects and extra resources that turn a basic education into an extraordinary one. 

That’s where an education foundation comes in! Here’s what an education foundation is and how it operates: 

Filling the gap. An education foundation helps fill the gap created by this insufficient public funding. 

• It brings additional private resources to areas where public dollars are limited, delayed or unavailable, while also helping build public support for more investment in schools. 
• The foundation helps close the gap between what public dollars make possible and what our students and educators need to thrive, while working to ensure that philanthropy strengthens, rather than replaces, public investment in our schools.

Fundraisers + grantmakers. An education foundation operates as both a fundraiser and a grantmaker. 

• The foundation collects tax-deductible contributions through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, local philanthropic grants and community campaigns. 
• It then invests that money directly back into the school district in the form of teacher grants, the supplies themselves or money that schools can use as needed.
• Simply put, foundations are set up to ensure community generosity helps meet classroom needs. 

Independent nonprofits. Education foundations are separate from the local government, school district and school board. This allows them to stay nimble, transparent and focused purely on community-driven support.

100 percent focused on local impact. Money raised by a local education foundation stays local, going directly to teachers, classrooms and students in that specific district. (In our case, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.)

How does the Education Foundation for Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools work? 

As an independent nonprofit, we fund education strategies that work. Here’s how we do it. 

• We start by collaborating closely with school leaders, community members and supporters to determine what students need the most. 
• Then, we raise money to fund research-backed solutions that work. Generous community members, foundations, business leaders, faith communities and families themselves help power our mission – and student dreams. 
• We fund the initiatives, materials and enrichment opportunities it takes to make it happen. 

From teacher grants that fund innovative classroom initiatives with new materials and enrichment opportunities, to increasing literacy on all fronts, to teacher professional development, we help ensure great outcomes for students in the public school system. 

We know that when our public schools are well-resourced, Winston-Salem will become the best place to raise a family, grow a business and build a full life. A place where every student reaches their full potential. A place we’re all proud to call home. 

We’re grateful for incredible partners like you who help us build these schools and this community.