The Community Progress Fund provides grants to support organizations in North Carolina's 78 rural counties, helping them advance projects, initiatives, or organizational goals that improve their communities. The program focuses on building upon existing momentum, encouraging locally driven solutions that align with the unique needs of rural areas. Grants have supported a diverse range of initiatives, including executive leadership transitions, pilot programs, and critical repairs for community anchor institutions.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, or religious institutions operating in North Carolina. Projects must serve the local community and demonstrate existing momentum that the grant will accelerate. Organizations that have received a Community Progress Fund grant within the last two years are not eligible to apply. The program strongly prioritizes community-led, community-driven projects, particularly those led by and serving people of color, with a focus on initiatives that promise significant local impact.

Grant amounts range from $20,000 to $30,000 annually for one or two years. Applications for the 2025 funding cycle open on December 10, 2024, and close on January 30, 2025, at noon. Following the application review, select applicants will receive site visits in the spring. Grant decisions are finalized by ZSR trustees in late spring (May), with funds distributed during the summer.

The application process involves completing and submitting an application through the grant portal. Applicants must provide supporting documents, including IRS certification of nonprofit status, board member information, prior-year financials, and a proposed project budget. Sample applications are available to help applicants prepare.

ZSR staff conduct site visits for shortlisted candidates to evaluate projects on-site. Applicants are notified of their status within a few weeks of the application deadline. Final decisions prioritize projects with strong community involvement, alignment with ZSR's core values, and the potential for transformative local impact. For further details, applicants can download sample applications or contact ZSR for guidance.