Golden LEAF supports workforce preparedness projects that increase the number of qualified individuals with skills aligned with current and future needs of North Carolina businesses and prepare students with the technical and life skills necessary to enter work.
At the February Board meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $10.5 million in funding to support job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness, and agriculture projects. The Board awarded $8.76 million to support 14 projects through the Community-Based Grants Initiative in the Southwestern Prosperity Zone, $1.7 million to support five projects through the Open Grants Program, and two SITE Program – Identification projects.
The March 1, 2025 deadline is fast approaching for the Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship. Information and the application for the 2025-2026 school year is available at CFNC.org. A total of 215 awards will be offered to high school seniors and community college transfer students from qualifying rural North Carolina counties attending participating North Carolina colleges and universities.
I am on the North Carolina Joint Underwriting Association Board, the Pembroke Rotary Club, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke Athletics Board, and the loan committee for the Electric Cooperative of the Lumbee River.
The Golden LEAF Foundation has launched new websites to reflect its new branding, increase engagement, and provide a more user-friendly experience: Golden LEAF Foundation and Golden LEAF Scholarship websites.
This launch was in conjunction with Golden LEAF’s 25th Anniversary.
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.
The awards are valued at $14,000 ($3,500 per year for up to four years) for North Carolina high school students attending a participating North Carolina college or university. North Carolina community college transfer students can receive up to $10,500 ($3,500 per year for up to three years).
The Golden LEAF Foundation celebrated its 25th Anniversary this year with a new brand rollout, new website, and a celebration in conjunction with the annual Board meeting.
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., (December 5, 2024) – Yesterday, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $2 million in funding to support workforce preparedness and job creation and economic investment projects. The Board awarded $378,200 to support three projects through the Open Grants Program and $1,549,400 to support two projects through the SITE Program.
Hurricane Helene ravaged the western part of North Carolina in September. Golden LEAF has been working on its response to support the relief and recovery of Western North Carolina.
In October, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $7.5 million to support WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund, which provides rapid recovery loans to small businesses suffering economic losses related to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. The fund is administered by Mountain BizWorks. In October, the Golden LEAF Foundation was appropriated $50 million by the North Carolina General Assembly to support business recovery loans. Golden LEAF then awarded $50 million to Mountain BizWorks to enhance the support of WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund.
NC AgVentures, an NC State Extension program that provides grants to NC family farms to implement agricultural projects that will increase farm profits, has announced
