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** A NOTE FROM JOY
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Friends,

For decades, ZSR has supported efforts to build a strong, vibrant and inclusive democracy, where every vote counts and people come together to shape a better future.

But a strong democracy depends on trust — trust in one another, our institutions and the integrity of our elections — and that trust is not guaranteed. It can be weakened by disinformation, leaders that prioritize partisanship over people, and, as we saw recently here in NC, efforts to undermine the will of voters.

This month, the losing candidate in the NC Supreme Court race finally conceded ([link removed]) , ending a monthslong legal effort to discard the lawfully cast votes of more than 60,000 people, including overseas military members and their families ([link removed]) , after the votes had been counted.

The will of the people and the rule of law prevailed. This is a testament to the strength of our democratic institutions, and to the people and organizations, including many ZSR grant partners, who showed up to defend them.

And yet, as several NC journalists have pointed out, the threat to our democracy persists. The effort to overturn this election weakened trust in our courts ([link removed]) and our elections ([link removed]) .

Moving forward, our collective efforts to rebuild that trust ([link removed]) — and to protect our country's historic institutions while continuing to ensure they are effective, inclusive, responsive and transparent — may be more important than ever.

At ZSR, we’re grateful for the tireless efforts of our nonprofit partners behind this critical work. We’ll continue to do all we can to support them, believing that our state is strongest when every voice is heard and every vote counts.

All For NC,

Joy Vermillion Heinsohn

ZSR Executive Director


** GET INSPIRED
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Stories of hope and action

from our partners across NC

Momentum is building for bold, coordinated solutions to North Carolina’s child care crisis. The Governor’s Early Childhood Task Force — featuring leaders from NC Child, NC Early Childhood Foundation, NC Partnership for Children, and MomsRising — recently held its second meeting ([link removed]) , focused on practical strategies to expand access, affordability, and quality across the state’s early learning system.

North Carolinians deserve safe, clean drinking water. But pollution from factory farms, especially animal manure runoff, continues to threaten NC’s waterways. Environmental nonprofits including Cape Fear River Watch are pushing for stronger regulations ([link removed]) to protect public health and curb the flow of agricultural manure and pollution at its source.

When global pop icon Shakira kicked off her world tour in Charlotte, she shared the stage with 50 accomplished Latina women ([link removed]) , including several powerhouse leaders from NC nonprofits. ZSR grant partners Elizabeth Herrera and Flor Herrera-Picasso (Casa Azul de Wilson), Stefanía Arteaga (Carolina Migrant Network), Lariza Garzón (Hispanic Federation), Adriana Chavela (Hola Carolina), and Marcela Torres-Cervantes and Elaine Townsend Utin (LatinxEd) were recognized for their leadership and impact. It was a joyful, unforgettable moment, spotlighting the strength, talent, and contributions of Latina leaders across our state.
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From left: Elizabeth Herrera, Fatima Herrera, Stefanía Arteaga, Elaine Townsend Utin, Flor Herrera-Picasso, and Marcela Torres-Cervantes were among the NC Latina leaders honored at Shakira’s concert in Charlotte.

The Public School Forum honored EducationNC CEO and Editor-in-Chief Mebane Rash with the 2025 Jay Robinson Education Leadership Award ([link removed]) in recognition of her enduring commitment to advocating for NC public school students. For the past decade, under Mebane’s leadership, EdNC has elevated the voices of students, teachers and school leaders across the state, reporting the realities facing our public schools.

When ICE detained a Charlotte parent outside their child’s school ([link removed]) , the community didn’t stay silent. Carolina Migrant Network stepped in to support the family and alert the community, while the school’s PTA ([link removed]) organized with compassion — pushing back against harmful media narratives ([link removed]) and standing firmly with the family. In the face of fear and uncertainty, North Carolinians continue to show up for one another, demonstrating what it truly means to protect and uplift our immigrant neighbors.

North Carolina Asian Americans Together is shaping a stronger, more inclusive state through civic education and engagement. Check out our grant partner story:
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Copyright (C) 2025 Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. All rights reserved.
The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation sends periodic updates, funding opportunities, and regular newsletters to people who have opted in via our website, participated in our programs or events, or applied for a grant.
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