Ways to Support
Leadership Winston-Salem, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization, relies on community partners such as local organizations, corporations, and individuals for funding on an annual basis. Approximately 50% of the budget is covered by tuition fees. The remainder must be obtained through fundraising efforts which are a critical component to ensure Leadership Winston-Salem’s success and sustainability. Leadership Winston-Salem ensures each class represents a cross-section of the community, including business, government, health care, arts, nonprofit, and community organizations, as well as diversity in gender, age, race, and ethnicity.
There are a variety of ways to help us with our mission of educating, connecting, and energizing leaders to serve and improve the community.
Individual Donations
Individual donations are a way to give to the mission of the organization through a variety of campaigns. Whether you are an alumnus, board members, or a community supporter, your individual donations carry our program a long way as we work to complete the mission annually.
To commemorate our 40th Anniversary, we have set an ambitious goal to raise $80,000. These funds will enable us to continue our mission, expand our reach, and create even more positive change in Winston-Salem. Click on the 40th Anniversary button below. Click or tap on the Wine Down Wednesdays button to support our community networking events. While admission to this WDW is complimentary and open to all LWS alums and the general public, your generous donation allows us to continue hosting engaging events that bring our community leaders together.
Scholarships
At Leadership Winston-Salem, most Flagship program participants receive employer funding, but self-employed individuals and small non-profit employees often struggle to afford such programs. Our scholarships provide partial tuition assistance to eligible class members who could not otherwise afford to participate. In the past three years, we've awarded around $17,000 total each year, helping over a dozen people annually. On average, each person received about $1,384.
Flagship Scholarship Fund
When you contribute to the Flagship Scholarship Fund, your donation is immediately available to help participants in the upcoming year’s program who are in need of financial support.
Thomas K. Hearn, Jr. Endowment Fund
A very special endowment fund has been established in memory of one of Leadership Winston-Salem’s founders, Dr. Thomas K. Hearn, Jr. Your contribution to our perpetual-growth fund will sustainably support program participants well into the future. This fund was established in 2010 and is maintained at The Winston-Salem Foundation.
Your contribution helps ensure that financial barriers do not prevent deserving individuals from taking part. Please consider donating today.
