The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to receive a portion of North Carolina's funding from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers. Based in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the Foundation operates as an independent and perpetual grantmaking foundation dedicated to advancing economic opportunity across the state.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.5B
+8.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$161.3M
+33.6% YoY
Grant Count
131
+10.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.2M
+21.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Golden LEAF's mission is to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina's rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation.
The Foundation's charter directs it to promote social welfare and lessen the burdens of government by providing economic impact assistance to economically affected or tobacco-dependent regions of North Carolina.
Primary funding priorities include:
- Job Creation and Economic Investment
- Workforce Preparedness
- Agriculture
- Community Competitiveness and Capacity
- Educational assistance programs that complement these priority areas
Grantmaking
Golden LEAF administers multiple grant programs serving governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits, as well as scholarship programs for high school and community college students.
Review Cycle
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
North Carolina, with emphasis on rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities throughout the state.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $1.4 billion
- Total Revenues: $79.1 million
- Total Expenses: $127.5 million
- Total Liabilities: $246 million
- Number of Employees: 30
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) public foundation; tax-exempt since December 2000
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,527,467,982 | $1,403,937,165 | $1,292,166,073 |
| Revenue | $171,537,614 | $79,124,718 | $57,758,666 |
| Expenses | $169,872,591 | $127,468,546 | $63,535,535 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $89,719,146 | $39,009,507 | $27,563,917 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from The Golden Leaf Inc
Community-Based Grants Initiative – Piedmont-Triad Prosperity Zone
THE GOLDEN LEAF INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Economic Catalyst Grant Program
THE GOLDEN LEAF INC
Amount
Up to US $500,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship Grant
THE GOLDEN LEAF INC
Amount
Up to US $14,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President and CEO: Scott T. Hamilton
Board Structure: The 15-member board is appointed by the Governor of North Carolina, the President Pro Tem of the State Senate, and the Speaker of the North Carolina House.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOBBIE J RICHARDSON | SECRETARY | 3 | $1,664 |
| BRIAN RAYNOR | VICE CHAIR | 3 | $832 |
| JEFFREY LEE | TREASURER/ASST SECRETARY | 3 | $936 |
| RALPH STRAYHORN III | BOARD CHAIR | 15 | $1,456 |
| BARRY Z DODSON | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| BUDDY KELLER | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| CHARLES P BROWN | DIRECTOR | 3 | $1,144 |
| DARRYL MOSS | DIRECTOR (ENDED 01/2025) | 3 | $1,560 |
| DAVID L ROSE | DIRECTOR | 3 | $1,144 |
| DONALD E FLOW | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| JARETTE SAMPSON | DIRECTOR (BEGAN 12/2024) | 3 | — |
| JOHNATHAN RHYNE JR | DIRECTOR (ENDED 11/2024) | 3 | $1,040 |
| LAURENCE LILLEY | DIRECTOR | 3 | $936 |
| MICHAEL EASLEY JR | DIRECTOR (BEGAN 01/2025) | 3 | — |
| RANDY ISENHOWER | DIRECTOR | 3 | $1,144 |
| S LAWRENCE DAVENPORT | DIRECTOR | 3 | $1,144 |
| THOMAS F TAFT SR | DIRECTOR | 3 | $832 |
| ANGELA GAILLIARD | DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS | 40 | $124,402 |
| EDWARD P LORD | SVP/GENERAL COUNSEL | 40 | $218,498 |
| ERICA L SMITH | VP OF FINANCE | 40 | $171,785 |
| JONATHAN P BOYD | VP OF INVESTMENTS | 40 | $147,928 |
| KASEY E GINSBERG | VP/CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $168,302 |
| MARILYN M CHISM | DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS | 40 | $130,556 |
| SCOTT T HAMILTON | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $303,207 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In fiscal year 2025, Golden LEAF helped create 1,665 jobs, more than $116 million in new payrolls, and trained or retrained more than 4,722 workers for higher wages.
Golden LEAF announces $17.3 million in funding at February meeting - GoldenRecent grant announcements include funding awards at bimonthly board meetings, including $17.3 million in funding announced at a February meeting and $10.5 million in funding announced at another February meeting.
Golden LEAF announces $17.3 million in funding at February meeting - GoldenContact Information
Address: 301 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Phone: 252-442-7474
Email: info@goldenleaf.org
Website: goldenleaf.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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