Looking Ahead Together: a Year of Possibility, Purpose, and Community

As we step into this new year, we do so with clear eyes and deep gratitude. 2025 was a challenging year that tested our resilience and underscored the work still before us. Yet even in difficulty, we found strength in community and purpose in our shared commitment to one another.  

In 2026, our nation will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This milestone invites us not only to reflect upon the journey behind us but to envision, with courage and conviction, how we can continue strengthening and shaping our democracy together.
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At The Winston-Salem Foundation, we believe in a future where everyone’s human rights are respected, every voice is heard, every vote counts, and all of our people – regardless of background – have access to the resources needed to create a vibrant life. Expanding opportunity requires perseverance, creativity, and the collective will to chart a new course forward.  

Last year, that spirit shone brightly. Through All In for Our Schools, our community rallied in a time of urgency and possibility. In just six months, we raised more than $8 million to support Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools—a powerful testament to what we can achieve when we act together! This work extends far beyond today’s classrooms. It is a promise to every child and a commitment to the wellbeing of our entire community.

As we continue to imagine what’s possible, we invite you to join us for our 2026 Community Gathering: Poetry, Place, Possibility on Monday, May 18, featuring Ada Limón, the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate. Her work reminds us of the enduring beauty, place, and humanity that binds us, even in fractured times. Through a keynote and conversation, we will explore the transformative power of creativity, nature, and shared stories.

As we move forward, let us continue to be guided by a shared commitment to equity, generosity, and belonging. Together, we can honor our nation’s 250 years by shaping a future that reflects the very best of who we are.
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Thank you for walking this path with us. Here’s to a year of possibility, purpose, and progress.