Increasing Economic Opportunity In
North Carolina

A Welcome From Golden LEAF

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to receive a portion of North Carolina’s funding received from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers. For 20 years, Golden LEAF has worked to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural and tobacco-dependent communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation.

Learn More About Us

Our Priority Areas

Where We Make an Impact

Job Creation & Economic Investment

Agriculture

Workforce Preparedness

Community Competitiveness and Capacity

How Can We Help You

Move the Economic Needle in Your Community

Governmental Entities and 501(c)(3) Organizations

Our Programs

Golden LEAF works to fund projects with promise to bring significant economic improvement with priority given to North Carolina’s tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, or rural communities.

High School and
Community College Students

Golden LEAF Scholarship Programs

Attend college at participating North Carolina public or private institutions or community colleges to gain the talent, knowledge and skills needed to help their communities thrive.

Take the Funding 101 Quiz

Discover Our Success Stories

Learn About Our Priority Areas

College of the Albemarle machinist program helps fill employer needs

Learn More

Martin Community College line technician program

Learn More

Fayetteville State University expands nursing program

Learn More

Dedicated workspace in Wilson sparks entrepreneurship

Learn More

Hospital in Franklin County creating jobs, providing increased access to healthcare

Learn More

ABC of NC expands services, creates 55 new healthcare jobs

Learn More

Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters connects to sewer to expand, create new jobs

Learn More

Cleveland Community College breaks ground on advanced manufacturing center

Learn More

New cooler space improves access to local foods

Learn More

Fair Bluff Fire Department receives disaster recovery funds

Learn More

Collaboration creates workforce solutions in high-demand trades

Learn More

Wilkes County farmers increase profits thanks to innovative programs

Learn More

Golden LEAF supports entrepreneurship in the Sandhills

Learn More

Halifax Community College uses innovation to help nursing students succeed during pandemic

Learn More

Hundreds of jobs in western N.C. thanks to Blue Ridge Community College workforce pipeline

Learn More

Guilford County apprenticeship program recruits students into manufacturing jobs

Learn More

Western NC gains new jobs, increased healthcare capacity, expanded services despite pandemic

Learn More

Golden LEAF, partner organizations cut ribbon on NC Food Innovation Lab

Learn More

Next Generation Career Academy connecting Surry County high school students to local industry careers

Learn More

Our Impact

Since its inception in 1999, Golden LEAF has provided lasting impact to tobacco-dependent, economically distressed and rural areas of the state helping build both human and physical infrastructure.

Learn More

66,000+
Jobs Created
$700M+
In New Payroll
90,000+
Workers trained across N.C.

Featured Stories

Stay Connected

Stay connected with Golden LEAF by signing up for our e-newsletter. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Sign-up for the Golden LEAF Newsletter