Golden LEAF Foundation, established in 1999 as a nonprofit organization, works towards increasing economic opportunities in rural and tobacco-dependent communities in North Carolina. The Foundation uses a portion of North Carolina's funding received from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers to further its goals.
A noteworthy aspect of Golden LEAF's operations is its focus on priority areas, which are centred around Job Creation and Economic Investment, Workforce Preparedness, Agriculture, and Community Competitiveness and Capacity. These priority areas guide the foundation's activities significantly, enabling it to impact communities effectively.
Golden LEAF is known for their grantmaking activities and various programs. These include the Open Grants Program, Economic Catalyst Program, SITE Program, Community-Based Grants Initiative, Flood Mitigation Program, and Food Distribution Assistance Program. These programs are critical drivers of the organisation's efforts to enhance economic opportunity and address issues in the areas they prioritize.
Apart making economic investments and creating jobs, Golden LEAF also pays attention to agriculture and supports communities in becoming competitive and self-sufficient. The foundation further assists governmental entities and 501(c)(3) organizations to move the economic needle in their communities. The organization, over the years, has exhibited a strong commitment to leadership, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship, features that have been key to its presence as an independent and perpetual foundation for more than 20 years.
The foundation also provides opportunities for personal and professional development with job positions and request for proposals frequently updated on their website.
Golden LEAF Foundation is a strategic player in the financial landscape of North Carolina, leveraging its resources to foster workforce preparedness while supporting community competitiveness. Its emphasis on agriculture and community capacity is an important feature of their work, acknowledging and addressing the unique challenges faced by rural and tobacco-dependent communities.
Fundamentally, Golden LEAF Foundation's work is rooted in its mission of increasing economic opportunities in North Carolina's vulnerable communities. The organization accomplishes this through grantmaking, an array of well-designed programs addressing key areas of concern and an unwavering commitment to its strategic plan.
