In 2021, Golden LEAF focused on creative ways to stay connected with partners, funding recipients, potential applicants, and state and local leaders.
One of the ways Golden LEAF focused on outreach was through meeting with community college presidents. This year, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton met with all North Carolina community college presidents, making a one-on-one visit with all 58 community college presidents since he became president in 2019. He also attended the North Carolina Community College Presidents Association to talk about ways the community colleges can connect with Golden LEAF and its funding opportunities.
Through Critical Conversations, Scott connects with economic development leaders via Zoom to talk about the challenges and solutions to economic issues affecting our state. Click the links below to watch the approximately 15-minute conversations:
- Carl Warren, President & CEO of the NC Railroad Company
- Gary Salamido, President and CEO of the N.C. Chamber
- Dr. Mark Poarch, President of the N.C. Association of Community College Presidents
- Tracy Doaks, President, CEO of MCNC
- Thomas Stith, President of the N.C. Community College System
- Richard Linton, Dean of CALS at NC State
- Chris Chung, Chief Executive Officer of EDPNC
- Dr. Michael Walden, Economist
New tools were created to connect with potential applicants through the website to help them learn more about Golden LEAF opportunities. A video was created to explain the Open Grants Program; new Open Grants Program Guidelines were created to help with the application process; and Golden LEAF’s Priority Areas were updated to include more information and examples. Additionally, to help potential applicants connect with Golden LEAF staff to discuss project ideas, there is a new contact form that streamlines the process.
With a focus on strategic outreach, new quarterly editions of the Golden LEAF Newsletter were created to focus on news and opportunities related to Golden LEAF’s priority areas of Job Creation and Economic Investment, Workforce Preparedness, and Agriculture. Sign up to receive news focused on one or all of these priority areas and/ or Golden LEAF’s bimonthly newsletter by clicking here.
North Carolina is home to a number of funding institutions supporting economic development and related strategies necessary for economic growth. As a result of Golden LEAF’s strategic plan, one of the five strategic priorities is to have, and be recognized for, excellence in organizational collaboration, innovation, and impact. To help address this goal, spotlights on North Carolina funders are included in the Golden LEAF bimonthly newsletter at the beginning of each month as a resource for our readers. Learn about the organizations featured in the Funder Spotlight: