Forsyth Foundation Receives $2M to Fund Basic Needs, Youth, Mental Health

The Forsyth Foundation announced it received a $2 million donation on January 23, 2026, to expand grant-making and capacity-building support for Forsyth County nonprofits. The investment is aimed at strengthening local delivery of basic needs assistance, youth programs, mental health services and broader community supports, a move that could increase service reach for residents across Winston-Salem and the county.

Foundation leaders say the funds will be distributed through a mix of competitive program grants, capacity grants and technical assistance targeted at smaller organizations that often lack resources to scale. The foundation plans to use competitive grants to support direct service programs, capacity grants to shore up organizational infrastructure such as staffing and data systems, and targeted technical assistance to help nonprofits improve grant readiness and program evaluation.

For nonprofits seeking support, the Forsyth Foundation outlined a clear application pathway. Organizations must begin with a letter of inquiry submitted through the foundation’s grant portal at forsythfoundation.org/grants. Letters of inquiry will be accepted beginning February 1, 2026, and must be received by March 1, 2026, for consideration in the first funding round. Applicants invited to submit full proposals can expect notification by April 15, 2026. The foundation expects to announce first-round awards on May 20, 2026, with funds available to grantees in June 2026.

The foundation also will offer technical assistance workshops to strengthen smaller nonprofits’ capacity to apply for and manage grants. Forsyth Foundation staff will hold two informational sessions at the foundation’s offices at 100 Main Street, Winston-Salem; the sessions are scheduled for February 10 and February 24, 2026. Nonprofits that cannot attend in person can access recorded materials through the foundation’s website.

Local impact is likely to be immediate for organizations delivering food assistance, rental and utility support, youth mentoring and afterschool programs, and community-based mental health services. Improved capacity could enable smaller agencies to expand hours, hire licensed clinicians or add case management staff that connect residents to long-term services. For residents, that could mean shorter waitlists for counseling, more afterschool options for students and increased distribution of emergency basic needs aid.

The gift also carries implications for funders and local government. By prioritizing capacity building, the Forsyth Foundation signals a shift toward long-term sustainability rather than one-time program funding. Nonprofit leaders and municipal officials will be watching how grant decisions affect service gaps and coordination across Forsyth County.

Nonprofits can begin applications at forsythfoundation.org/grants. For questions, contact the foundation’s grants team at grants@forsythfoundation.org or by phone at (336) 555-0142. The foundation’s main office at 100 Main Street is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This infusion of capital offers a practical path for local organizations to scale services; residents should expect to see expanded supports roll out over the coming months as the foundation completes its first round of awards.