ABOUT THE Z. SMITH REYNOLDS FOUNDATION
The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) is a statewide, private, family foundation, based in Winston-Salem, NC. For more than 85 years, ZSR has strived to support the efforts of North Carolinians to make our state a better place for everyone through investments totaling $667 million. Our All for NC Framework for Grantmaking and Learning includes three strategies: a State-Level Systemic Change Strategy; a Community-Based Strategy; and an Exploratory, Visionary Ideas Strategy. It also includes commitments to using a racial equity lens, to being a learning organization, and to participating in the life of the Foundation’s home community of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County.
Our mission:
To improve the quality of life forall North Carolinians.
Our core values:
- Stewardship
- Dignity and Equity
- Sustainability
- Integrity
- Civic Participation
- Collaboration
- Fairness and Justice
- Excellence
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Convening and Capacity Building oversees: 1) the Foundation’s non-profit sector capacity-building programs; and 2) ZSR’s efforts to connect and convene grantees and other partners. The position also co-leads ZSR’s efforts to operationalize its racial equity lens. This is a new position that will be part of a five-person executive team.
The Foundation’s three, long-standing, non-profit capacity-building programs include the Non-Profit Internship Program, the Sabbatical Program, and the Z. Smith Reynolds Fellowship. In addition, the Foundation is currently supporting two new capacity-building projects: the first is a partnership with the NC Center for Nonprofits (Center Managed Solutions) aimed at capacity-building for nearly twenty current grantees; the other is the Investing in Leaders of Color Fellowship that is working with foundations and nonprofits to support leaders who have faced systemic disadvantages in their work. This position will oversee these programs, in partnership with other staff, in addition to new capacity-building projects that the Foundation may pursue.
This position also will support the Foundation’s efforts to convene grantees and other partners as part of the Foundation’s All for NC Framework for Grantmaking and Learning. Convening provides opportunities for relationship-building, strategizing and learning, all of which are important parts of ZSR’s commitment to being a learning organization.
Along with the Director of Strategy and Learning the Director of Convening and Capacity-Building will co-lead ZSR’s efforts to operationalize its commitment to racial equity. This will include serving as a primary liaison to the Foundation’s racial equity consultant and working with staff and Trustees to deepen knowledge and improve practices, policies, and procedures related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
The position requires the development of a thorough understanding of the Foundation and its priorities, operations, structure and culture. Experience with project management and meeting facilitation, as well as expertise in using a racial equity lens, are vital to this role. An understanding of philanthropy, of North Carolina, and of its communities, is preferred. The position is full-time and is based in Winston-Salem, NC.
How To Apply