ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., (October 1, 2026) – Today, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $9 million in funding to support long-term economic advancement. The Golden LEAF Board awarded $860,000 to support two projects through the Open Grants Program and $2 million to support a project through the Economic Catalyst program. The Golden LEAF Board awarded an additional $2.95 million to East Carolina University to support its Center of Medical Education and $319,000 to the Town of Spring Lake for a Flood Mitigation project. 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.

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., (August 6, 2026) – Today, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $16.7 million in funding to support job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness, and agriculture projects. The Golden LEAF Board awarded $1.7 million to support four projects through the Open Grants Program, $3 million to support two projects in the SITE Program, and $1 million for an Economic Catalyst project. The Golden LEAF Board awarded $456,000 to continue the work of the NC Ag Leads Initiative and $10 million to establish the Rural Entrepreneurship Regional Constellation program. The Golden LEAF Board also approved $499,406 in additional funding for previously awarded projects.

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., (June 8, 2026) – Today, the Golden LEAF Foundation announced that 215 rural North Carolina students were selected to receive up to a $14,000 Golden LEAF Scholarship.

High school seniors entering college as first year students are eligible for a $3,500 scholarship each year for up to four years of undergraduate study at a participating four-year North Carolina college or university. Community college transfer students are eligible for $3,500 a year for up to three years of undergraduate study.

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., (June 4, 2026) – Today, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $6 million in funding to support job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness, and agriculture projects. The Golden LEAF Board awarded $1 million to support three projects through the Open Grants Program, $2 million to support two projects in a special healthcare workforce program, $1.9 million to support one Economic Catalyst project, $1 million to support one project through the SPARC initiative, and $100,000 to support one project developed through the NC Ag Leads initiative.

ROCKY MOUNT (June 4, 2026) – The Board of Directors of Golden LEAF Foundation today announced President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton will retire at the end of this year following a distinguished career of leadership and service to North Carolina. 

Hamilton has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since 2019. Under his leadership, Golden LEAF strengthened its commitment to advancing economic opportunity through investments that led to the creation of new jobs, improved workforce preparedness, and supported agriculture across rural North Carolina.

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., (April 2, 2026) – Today, 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.

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., (February 5, 2026) – Today, 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.

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., (December 4, 2025) – Today, 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.

Today, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $8 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, $749,732 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.