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Applying for a Grant | Annual Cycle Grants
The Golden LEAF Foundation has an open door policy, and welcomes the opportunity to discuss project ideas prior to grant submission. Contact us if you have any questions. The Golden LEAF Foundation has completed eight annual grants cycles. Information about all grants awarded is available on this web site in the Grants Awarded section. FY 2009 Information Funding Factors Funding from the tobacco settlement is dependent on a number of factors, including sale of tobacco products.The funds are being put in an endowment that will generate earnings to fund grants. The Foundation has budgeted $10 million for this annual grants cycle. The Foundation The acronym LEAF stands for Long-term Economic Advancement Foundation.We are a public charitable foundation, which is exempt from federal income tax as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.The Foundation's funds must be used for charitable, scientific, educational or tax-exempt public purposes. Both government and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations may apply for grants. Golden LEAF's office is in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Our Mission Golden LEAF's mission is to promote the social welfare of North Carolina's citizens and to receive and distribute funds for economic impact assistance to economically affected or tobacco-dependent regions of North Carolina. FY 2009 Annual Grants Cycle Priorities The Golden LEAF Foundation is committed to using the funds entrusted to it for projects that show the most potential for strengthening North Carolina's long-term economy, especially in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities. Golden LEAF's grantsmaking is focused in the areas of Agriculture, Job Creation and Retention and Workforce Preparedness. In agriculture, Golden LEAF sees particular promise in the areas of value-added processing, market expansion, and projects targeting alternative crops, livestock and aquaculture. In workforce preparedness, Golden LEAF focuses on efforts to train workers in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities to become qualified for identified job opportunities. Job creation and retention projects of particular interest to Golden LEAF include efforts to create opportunities for employment with new and existing businesses in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities, particularly in the healthcare sector. In addition to those described above, projects that focus on education and other opportunities to support and develop economic strength in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities continue to be welcomed. Characteristics of Competitive Proposals Golden LEAF makes grants for projects that the Foundation's Board of Directors believes have extraordinary merit and address the Foundation's purposes as set forth in its Charter. In evaluating proposals, the Foundation looks for projects that will bring about tangible results for the targeted beneficiaries. The Foundation asks applicants to answer the following questions in thinking through their proposals: (1) Who benefits from the project? (2) How do they benefit? (3) What difference does the project make in the community it serves? (4) How will the difference and benefit be measured and proven? Golden LEAF anticipates awarding approximately $10 million in the 2009 Annual Grants cycle. Since requests are likely to far exceed this amount, the Foundation will be looking for projects with the following characteristics. (This list is not intended to be all inclusive, nor is it a listing of all criteria that will be used in evaluating proposals.)
FY 2009 Priority Communities Golden LEAF accepts applications from all communities in North Carolina. Preference is given to projects that will benefit tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities. Applicants can strengthen their proposals by citing negative trends in the employment rate, low per capita income, or high poverty rate in their communities or by identifying the direct effect the project will have on employment and/or agriculture in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities. Low Priority Proposals Golden LEAF has also identified types of requests which typically are of low priority in its Annual Grants Cycle. These include:
Open Door Policy The Golden LEAF Foundation has an open door policy. All proposals received by established deadlines are accepted for consideration in the Annual Grants Cycle. Applicants seeking funding are encouraged to contact the Foundation for more information regarding the grants application process and funding priorities. In addition, staff is available to discuss and give feedback on proposal ideas. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact staff well in advance of the application deadline to be certain that there is sufficient time to schedule a conversation about questions the applicant may have, especially if the applicant wishes the staff to review specifics of the applicant's proposal. The completed application package must be postmarked or received at the Golden LEAF office or submitted online by the deadline, August 1, 2008 in order to be considered for funding. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.
Golden LEAF Foundation |
