APRIL 27, 2023 – shift_ed is proud to announce a bold gift from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) honoring retired executive director and former Guilford County Schools Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green. The $425,000 donation will support scholarships for Guilford County Schools graduates.
The Maurice “Mo” Green Endowed Fund for shift_ed, housed at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, was established after Green retired from GCS in 2015 as a thank you for his dedication to GCS students and graduates.
“When I transitioned from my role as superintendent to the Foundation, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of Guilford County community members who established a scholarship opportunity through shift_ed in recognition of my work,” says Green. “Now, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation’s contribution to that scholarship fund brings together three organizations that I respect and admire: shift_ed, Guilford County Schools and the Foundation.”
shift_ed President and CEO Wendy Poteat calls Green a visionary. “It was thanks to his foresight and persistence that shift_ed came to exist in Guilford County,” she says. “To transform our community means accelerating outcomes for our students so they can fill critical roles in our workforce. Mo understood that and assembled changemakers from across the county to make it happen. This gift underscores his commitment to students, families and our entire community.”
Green led GCS for more than seven years, completing the district’s first-ever strategic plan and launching a second, both of which have resulted in notable outcomes such as increased graduation rates and other impressive student achievements, both academic and non-academic.
He calls shift_ed a “game changer.” “During my time as superintendent, I encountered many families who couldn’t envision an educational future for their kids beyond high school simply because of cost. shift_ed’s all-encompassing approach to supporting students, from tutoring to last-dollar tuition scholarships, helps students and families see that anything is possible,” he says.
In 2016 Green took the leadership role at ZSR and served for nearly seven years. In that time the Foundation launched All For NC, its current Framework for Grantmaking and Learning. Through the Framework’s State-Level Systemic Change Strategy, the Foundation continued to support efforts to strengthen democracy, advance public education, foster a healthy and sustainable environment and promote social and economic justice.
shift_ed will recognize Green at an event presented by High Point University on Tuesday, May 2 at the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. A cocktail reception will begin at 4:30 p.m., and the program is from 5-6:15 p.m.
Any members of the public who would like to make a gift to shift_ed in honor of Green can do so on the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro’s website – www.cfgg.org.
About the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) is a statewide, private, family foundation that has been a catalyst for positive change in North Carolina for more than 85 years. ZSR is committed to improving the quality of life for all North Carolinians. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC, the Foundation has invested more than $667 million into North Carolina.
About shift_ed
The mission of shift_ed is to boldly accelerate student potential. With programs impacting elementary through high school shift_ed partners with GCS to provide thousands of hours of tutoring, aptitude assessments, college prep and financial aid workshops and career counseling to students. Thanks to generous community support, shift_ed has awarded more than $12.6 million to GCS graduates since 2016. Scholarship registration is open through July 1, 2023. shift_ed is dedicated to providing diverse educational and workforce pathways to GCS students.
shift_ed boldly accelerates student potential