At the April meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $8.3 million in funding to support job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness projects, and scholarships. The Golden LEAF Board awarded $1.4 million to support three projects through the Open Grants Program and $1.49 million to support one Economic Catalyst project. The Golden LEAF Board approved $3.06 million in funding to the North Carolina Community College System for the Golden LEAF Community Colleges Scholarship. The Golden LEAF Board also approved $2,369,597 in additional funding for previously awarded projects.

In March, the Golden LEAF Foundation welcomed Ginger Mustamaa as Director of Programs Administration.

At the February meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors announced a total of $17,376,679 in funding to support job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness, and agriculture projects. The Board awarded $9.9 million to support 11 projects through the Community-Based Grants Initiative in the North Central Prosperity Zone, $1.2 million to support three projects through the Open Grants Program, and $1.3 million to support a SITE Program – Development project. The Board also recently approved an award of $4.8 million to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

The March 1, 2026 deadline is quickly approaching for the Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship. Visit CFNC.org for more information on the 2026-2027 school year scholarship application.

In total, 215 awards will be offered to high school seniors and community college transfer students from qualifying counties who plan to attend North Carolina colleges and universities. The scholarship is valued at $14,000 ($3,500 annually for four years) for high school seniors and $10,500 ($3,500 annually for three years) for community college transfer students.

Happy holidays from the Golden LEAF Board and staff!

2025 Funding

In 2025, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded funding totaling more than $102 million for 60 new projects and additional funding for five current projects as follows:

At the December 2025 meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $7.5 million in funding. The Board awarded $1,200,000 to support two projects through the Open Grants Program and $1,222,460 to support three projects through the SITE Program. The Board also awarded additional funds for Hurricane Helene relief, the Disaster Recovery Grant Program, and the Shell Building Pilot Program.

At the October 2025 meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $8.4 million in funding to support long-term economic advancement. The Golden LEAF Board awarded $2.7 million to support seven projects through the Open Grants Program, $1 million to support a SITE Program project, and $1 million to support a project at East Carolina University. The Golden LEAF Board awarded an additional $220,000 for Hurricane Helene relief and $502,411 in the Flood Mitigation Program. The Board also approved $2.9 million in funding for the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority to administer the Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship.