Increasing Economic Opportunity In
North Carolina

Information now available: Community-Based Grants Initiative in the Western Prosperity Zone

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.

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Our Priority Areas

Where We Make an Impact

Job Creation & Economic Investment

Agriculture

Workforce Preparedness

Community Competitiveness, Capacity, and Vitality

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.

Discover Our Success Stories

Learn About Our Priority Areas

College of the Albemarle machinist program helps fill employer needs

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Martin Community College line technician program

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Fayetteville State University expands nursing program

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Dedicated workspace in Wilson sparks entrepreneurship

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

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ABC of NC expands services, creates 55 new healthcare jobs

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

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Cleveland Community College breaks ground on advanced manufacturing center

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New cooler space improves access to local foods

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Fair Bluff Fire Department receives disaster recovery funds

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Collaboration creates workforce solutions in high-demand trades

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Golden LEAF Foundation Holds Agriculture Roundtable at UMO Student Farm

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Wilkes County farmers increase profits thanks to innovative programs

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Golden LEAF supports entrepreneurship in the Sandhills

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

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

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Guilford County apprenticeship program recruits students into manufacturing jobs

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

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

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

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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.

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65,318
Jobs Created
$695,583,305
In New Payroll
85,849
Workers trained across N.C.

Featured Stories

Stay Connected

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