The Building an Inclusive Economy grant program is designed to support organizations that focus on economic empowerment for Black households and work to rewrite the rules to make Forsyth County a place where they all have the resources they need to support the families.
Donor Name: Black Philanthropy Initiative (BPI)
State: North Carolina
County: Forsyth County (NC)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/13/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
BPI explicitly—but not exclusively—makes grants to Black-led organizations and initiatives working to improve outcomes for Black communities in Forsyth County.
While this program aligns with The Winston-Salem Foundation’s Inclusive Economy focus area, BPI’s decision-making process is independent and community-led. Proposals must address one or more of the following priority areas that are critical to building economic security and prosperity for Black households in Forsyth County:
- Creating accessible pathways to family-sustaining and high-paying careers
- Offering tools for wealth-building and financial stability
- Supporting a thriving community of Black-owned businesses.
Funding Information
Organizations can submit one application for any amount up to $15,000.
Grant Period
Grants are typically made for one year.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible, organizations must:
- Operate within Forsyth County, NC
- Be a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, public school, higher education institution, or faithbased organization. Organizations without 501(c)(3) status may apply with a fiscal sponsor that meets these criteria
- While BPI does not fund for-profit businesses, they do support nonprofits, schools, and faithbased organizations that offer programming or resources for Black entrepreneurs and small business owners
- Examples of potential grant requests could include: programs that support Black entrepreneurs, financial education for Black families around investing or homeownership, or career readiness pathways that lead to family-sustaining wages or careers.
- Priority will be given to:
- Black-led organizations – Organizations where more than 50% of staff in decision-making roles and/or board members identify as Black
- Neighborhood Investment – Programs serving predominantly Black neighborhoods, including ZIP codes 27101, 27105, and 27107
- Community-centered approaches – Organizations that actively partner with people most impacted by inequities—engaging them in setting goals, shaping solutions, and guiding how the work is carried out.
For more information, visit Black Philanthropy Initiative.
