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Increasing
Economic
Opportunity
in North Carolina
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The Golden LEAF
Foundation

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 25 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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Strategic Priority Areas

Job Creation and Economic Investment

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Workforce Preparedness

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Agriculture

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Downtown of a small city in North Carolina

Community Competitiveness and Capacity

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How Can We Help

Potential Applicants

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Current Grantees

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Golden LEAF Scholarships

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Golden LEAF Updates

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Take the Funding 101 Quiz

Move the Economic Needle

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Our Programs for Governmental Entities and 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
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Scholarships for High School and Community College Students

Our Impact

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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.

Jobs Created
0 +
In New Payroll
$ 0 M+
Workers trained across N.C.
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Discover Our Success Stories

North Carolina State Map
Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters connects to sewer to expand, create new jobs

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

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Partnership results in anchor tenant, 263 new jobs in Henderson County

Partnership results in
anchor tenant, 263 new jobs
in Henderson County

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

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

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Building a healthcare workforce pipeline in Cleveland County through powerful partnership

Cleveland Community
College breaks ground on
advanced manufacturing
center

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Gaston County Schools creating an advanced manufacturing workforce through career academy

Gaston County Schools
creating an advanced
manufacturing workforce
through career academy

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Wilkes County completes the three phases of the SITE Program

Wilkes County completes
the three phases of the
SITE Program

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Surry and Yadkin counties invest in local workforce

Surry and Yadkin counties
invest in local workforce

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

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

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Town of Mocksville wins nearly 400 agribusiness jobs, more to come

Town of Mocksville wins
nearly 400 agribusiness
jobs, more to come

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LevelUp Rockingham initiative builds talent pipeline for key industries

LevelUp Rockingham
initiative builds talent pipeline
for key industries

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New cooler space improves access to local foods

New cooler space improves
access to local foods

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Golden LEAF supports entrepreneurship in the Sandhills

Golden LEAF supports
entrepreneurship in the
Sandhills

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Southeastern Community College creates state-of-the-art simulation lab

Southeastern Community
College creates state-of-
the-art simulation lab

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Fayetteville State University expands nursing program

Fayetteville State
University expands nursing
program

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

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

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Wilson Community College receives Golden LEAF funding to support the creation of 420 jobs

Wilson Community College
receives Golden LEAF
funding to support the
creation of 420 jobs

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East Carolina University, community colleges collaborate to build workforce pipeline for BioPharma Crescent

East Carolina University,
community colleges
collaborate to build
workforce pipeline for
BioPharma Crescent

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Martin Community College line technician program

Martin Community College
line technician program

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College of the Albemarle machinist program helps fill employer needs

College of the Albemarle
machinist program helps fill
employer needs

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Collaboration creates workforce solutions in high-demand trades

Collaboration creates
workforce solutions in high-
demand trades

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Sampson Community College builds trades center to address local agriculture industry skills demand

Sampson Community
College builds trades
center to address local
agriculture industry skills
demand

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University of Mount Olive livestock training facility to provide hands-on learning for students, farmers

University of Mount Olive
livestock training facility to
provide hands-on learning
for students, farmers

Learn More

Featured News

Copy of Scholar Spotlight (64)

Programs Perspective: Teamwork is Essential to Project Success

If you are planning to apply for Golden LEAF funding through any Golden LEAF program, teamwork is essential to successful project implementation. Each Golden LEAF project is supported by two Golden LEAF staff members: a Primary Staff member (typically a Program Officer) and a Program Lead. This model ensures there is always more than one point of contact to answer questions, provide guidance, and keep your project moving forward. Our goal is to help you reach your milestones and outcomes as efficiently and effectively as possible.
October 22, 2025
Copy of Scholar Spotlight (66)

CommWell Health of Newton Grove/Spivey’s Corner is creating jobs and expanding access to rural healthcare

CommWell Health of Newton Grove/Spivey’s Corner has completed a major renovation and reconfiguration of its healthcare facility in Sampson County in time for its 50th anniversary. The updated campus strengthens access to primary care, dental, and behavioral health services for residents in this rural community while creating new jobs in the healthcare field.
October 22, 2025
Copy of Scholar Spotlight (63)

Staff Spotlight: Flecia Silver

I am responsible for processing accounts payable, recording journal entries, assisting with annual audits, and other accounting functions assigned by the Vice President of Finance. I am also responsible for Human Resources duties such as assisting staff with questions and concerns regarding their annual leave and annual sick leave.
October 8, 2025

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