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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
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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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Blue Ridge Community College breaks ground on automated greenhouse

Blue Ridge Community College breaks ground on automated greenhouse

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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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Cleveland Community College breaks ground on advanced manufacturing center

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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ABC of NC expands services, creates 55 new healthcare jobs

ABC of NC expands services, creates 55 new healthcare jobs

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Guilford County apprenticeship program recruits students into manufacturing jobs

Guilford County apprenticeship program recruits students into manufacturing jobs

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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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Vance County wins jobs, community partner with MAKO Medical Laboratories

Vance County wins jobs, community partner with MAKO Medical Laboratories

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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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Road spurs company expansion, new businesses, jobs in Wayne County

Road spurs company expansion, new businesses, jobs in Wayne County

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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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Skills center provides a multitude of technical skills, credentials to help students meet local industry needs

Skills center provides a multitude of technical skills, credentials to help students meet local industry needs

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Featured News

Copy of Scholar Spotlight (27)

Staff Spotlight: Caty Gray Urquhart

My role as the Operations Manager is a combination of building maintenance, daily office operations, and IT management. I coordinate with third-party vendors for building maintenance and IT.
March 12, 2025
Critical Conversations (51)

Critical Conversations with Scott T. Hamilton featuring North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler

Recently, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton sat down with the North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler via Zoom and filmed an episode of Critical Conversations. In this series, Scott talks with professionals about economic development issues affecting the state.
March 12, 2025
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University of Mount Olive livestock training facility to provide hands-on learning for students, farmers

The University of Mount Olive is building a new livestock/forage training facility that will provide research and educational opportunities for college students and the greater agricultural community.
March 12, 2025

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