The N.C. General Assembly appropriated $10 million to Golden LEAF for the food distribution assistance program. This program is funded by federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Funds may be used for the following:
Golden LEAF Foundation expects that applications will exceed funds available for this program.
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SIGN UP FOR EMAIL UPDATES FAQ & GLOSSARY RESOURCES CONTACT STAFFEligible Entities
Golden LEAF had two windows of Pre-Application eligibility for this program. The Pre-Application process is closed and not expected to be reopened. Only organizations that met the requirements of the Pre-Application are eligible to continue through the process.
Only charitable nonprofit organizations based in North Carolina are eligible to apply for this grant program. A charitable nonprofit organization is an organization that has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a tax-exempt organization formed and operated exclusively for charitable purposes and described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Applicants must be able to meet compliance requirements set by the State of North Carolina through N.C.G.S.143C-6-23, including not appearing on the state Suspension of Funding List, and applicable federal requirements. Funds may only be used to support food distribution programs aligned with the criteria set by Feeding Americas and Feeding the Carolinas, including that food must be distributed without cost and without bias.
Organizations must have an operating history of at least two full years (not necessarily providing food assistance) or must be formally affiliated with an organization with an operating history of at least two years.
Churches and Places of Worship Are Not Eligible to Apply
Churches and other places of worship are not eligible to apply.
Faith-Based Organizations Are Eligible to Apply
Faith-based organizations that have been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a tax-exempt organization formed and operated exclusively for charitable purposes and described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible. Faith-based organizations must be able to provide the documents required by the Pre-Application process, including an IRS Letter of Determination, list of Board of Directors, and financial information. Organizations whose financial statements are consolidated with the financial statements of a church or other place of worship, are eligible to apply.
Eligible Uses of Funds
Funds may be used for the following:
Download a list of eligible and ineligible expenses from the Resources page.
Award Amount
Up to $250,000 may be awarded per project.
Process
Golden LEAF has developed a multi-stage process for organizations interested in funding through the Food Distribution Assistance Program.
Food Bank Partner Agency (Potential New and Existing) |
School-Based Weekend Food Assistance | |
Stage 1 | Pre-Application | Pre-Application |
Stage 2 | Project Assessment | Application |
Stage 3 | Application | Golden LEAF Board Review (award or decline) |
Stage 4 | Golden LEAF Board Review (award or decline) |
Implementation and Monitoring |
Stage 5 | Implementation and Monitoring |
—– |
During the Pre-Application phase, organizations will be assessed as not meeting requirements of the program for any of the the following:
Anticipated Timeline
Only organizations that successfully complete each phase will be invited to participate in the next.
Pre-Application Phase Opens | January 24, 2023 at 12pm |
Pre-Application Phase Closes | Submissions due February 7, 2023 at 12pm |
Project Assessment Phase Opens* | February 17, 2023 at 12pm |
Project Assessment Due* | Submissions due March 3, 2023 at 12pm |
Application Portal Open | February 15, 2023 at 12pm |
Application Deadlines | March 7, 2023 at 12pm April 14, 2023 at 12pm April 28, 2023 at 12pm |
Application Portal Closes | Submissions due no later than April 28, 2023 at 12pm |
Golden LEAF Board Review (award or decline) |
Anticipated August 3, 2023 |
*Only required for organizations in the Food Bank Partner Agency (New and Existing) funding opportunity
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