Increasing
Economic
Opportunity
in North Carolina

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.

Strategic Priority Areas

Job Creation and Economic Investment

Workforce Preparedness

Agriculture

Community Competitiveness and Capacity

How Can We Help

Potential Applicants

Current Grantees

Golden LEAF Scholarships

Golden LEAF Updates

Move the Economic Needle

Our Programs for Governmental Entities and 501(c)(3) Nonprofits

Scholarships for High School and Community College Students

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.

Jobs Created

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In New Payroll

$ 0 M+

Workers trained across N.C.

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Discover Our Success Stories

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

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

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

Cleveland Community College breaks ground on advanced manufacturing center

Gaston County Schools creating an advanced manufacturing workforce through career academy

Wilkes County farmers increase profits thanks to innovative programs

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

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

ABC of NC expands services, creates 55 new healthcare jobs

Guilford County apprenticeship program recruits students into manufacturing jobs

New cooler space improves access to local foods

Golden LEAF supports entrepreneurship in the Sandhills

Fair Bluff Fire Department receives disaster recovery funds

Fayetteville State University expands nursing program

Vance County wins jobs, community partner with MAKO Medical Laboratories

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

Dedicated workspace in Wilson sparks entrepreneurship

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

Pitt Community College Technical Academy providing workforce training to local high school students to help fill employer needs

Martin Community College line technician program

College of the Albemarle machinist program helps fill employer needs

Collaboration creates workforce solutions in high-demand trades

Featured News

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

January 22, 2025

Project Spotlight

Golden LEAF’s Job Creation and Economic Investment Priority Area

January 22, 2025

Uncategorized

Applications for Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship due March 1, 2025

Rocky Mount, N.C., (January 9, 2025) The Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship application for the 2025-2026 academic year is now available at CFNC.org. A total of 215 awards will be offered to first-time recipients from qualifying counties. Applications are due March 1, 2025.

January 9, 2025

Uncategorized

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