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Advancing Equity in Education Grants
BPI’s focus of advancing racial equity in education comes from the data in BPI’s Rethinking Philanthropy report released in 2018, which reveals how systemic inequities have disproportionately affected Black residents. As a strategic initiative of The Winston-Salem Foundation, this grant program directly aligns with one of the Foundation’s focus areas: to advance equity in education.
BPI wants to address the deliberate and systematic efforts that deprive schools in Black and brown communities, therefore denying students the resources to thrive and reach their full potential. We want to ensure that students of color, especially Black students, are able to learn in a supportive environment that respects their humanity, upholds their dignity, and has the resources to provide students with the space to learn, grow, and thrive.
We support grant proposals that:
- are designed with a focus on racial equity, to ensure all K-12 and higher education systems have the support they need to ensure that every student thrives.
- are designed to make a positive impact on students of color with an explicit focus on Black students.
- are being implemented by a 501(c)(3)organization, public school or higher education institution, or a faith-based organization. (Organizations that do not have a 501(c)(3) may ask an organization with this exemption to serve as a fiscal agent.)
Priority will be given to:
- Black-led groups/organizations (Organizations where more than 50% of leadership staff are Black and/or more than 50% of board members are Black.)
- Organizations and programs that invest directly in predominately Black neighborhoods (including 27101, 27105, and 27107).
- Organizations that are actively engaging those they are working with to help guide the organization’s work and determine its goals.
Examples of potential grant requests include programs that address inequities with remote learning access, improve disciplinary policies and practices that impact students of color, and provide implicit bias training for educators.
JUne 2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS
- Big 4 Legacy Group, Inc.: $10,000 for the RAP (Respect, Affirmation, Problem Solving) Project, a leadership and wellness program at Paisely IB Middle School
- Children's Law Center of Central North Carolina: $10,000 for the Education Advocacy Program offering educational workshops and legal support for WS/FCS students and families
- Dream Team Foundation, Inc.: $15,000 for a six-week Summer Leadership Academy for rising 6th graders with a focus on achievement outcomes, leadership, learning, and life skills
- Eagles of Grace: $15,000 for a comprehensive career, college readiness, and character development program
- Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. (Chamber of Commerce): $4,000 for the Senior Academy Dropout Prevention Initiative program for 12th grade WS/FCS students
- Heart Math Tutoring: $6,000 to provide one-on-one math tutoring and mentorship to students at Bolton and Easton elementary schools
- Jim Shaw ACE Academy: $10,000 for the Jim Shaw Ace Summer Aviation program supporting middle and high school students
- LEAD Girls of NC: $10,000 to implement a third leadership academy cohort of 15-18 girls at Paisley IB Magnet School
- Liberty East Redevelopment, Inc.: $5,000 for a reading lab that will support the after-school literacy program
- UR Agri-Core: $10,000 to provide a customized literacy tutoring program to improve literacy and reading levels for 2nd-4th grade students
- Winston-Salem Freedom Schools: $15,000 to host 60 culturally affirming family engagement events focused at each Freedom School site
- Winston-Salem State University Foundation: $15,000 for outreach and pre-college programming exposing middle and high school students in East Winston-Salem to STEM learning and career opportunities
HOW TO APPLY
We are now accepting applications! Review grant guidelines and apply online by midnight on Monday, April 14.
Do you have a proposal idea you'd like to discuss before you apply? We'd like to hear from you! Please contact us to schedule a conversation.
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