Golden LEAF Foundation’s Open Grants Program

The Golden LEAF Foundation's Open Grants Program is a rolling funding opportunity designed to support economic development initiatives that strengthen the economy of North Carolina. The foundation focuses particularly on projects that benefit tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and rural communities within the state. Eligible applicants for this program include governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Each award issued through the program is capped at $500,000 or less. Golden LEAF prioritizes funding in specific strategic areas that align with its mission. These include job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness, agriculture, and community competitiveness and capacity. Examples of eligible projects include developing or implementing new workforce training programs aligned with local employer needs, launching career pathway programs in high schools for high-demand fields, constructing infrastructure to support industrial development, and supporting agriculture through training, market expansion, or new crop development. Additionally, the program allows for funding of public-use infrastructure that supports workforce housing, provided the developer is a qualifying entity. Applicants are encouraged to contact Golden LEAF staff before submitting a proposal to ensure their project aligns with program goals. The application process is two-staged. In Stage 1, applicants submit a short proposal with basic organizational information, a project summary, expected outcomes, and an explanation of how funds will be used. Projects that will continue beyond the grant period must also include sustainability plans. The Board reviews Stage 1 submissions and invites selected applicants to submit a Stage 2 application. This second stage requires more comprehensive details, including financial documentation and detailed project plans. The Golden LEAF Board meets bimonthly—in February, April, June, August, October, and December—to review applications. Applicants must submit their Stage 1 application by a stated deadline (e.g., October 23, 2025, at noon) to be considered at the next Board meeting (e.g., December 4, 2025). Importantly, an invitation to submit a Stage 2 application does not guarantee funding but signals interest from the Foundation. To guide applicants, Golden LEAF has defined quantitative outcomes for each funding area, which are used to measure project success. Competitive applications typically include projected outcomes aligned with these metrics. Resources such as the “Funding 101 Quiz” are available to help organizations better understand the process and improve application quality. Contact information for Golden LEAF includes a phone number, 252-442-7474, and a physical address at 301 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Applicants with questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out to the staff for clarification prior to submitting any application materials.

Applicants are encouraged to complete the Funding 101 Quiz and contact staff before submission.