NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission Grant

NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Last Updated: January 23, 2026

Summary

The NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission Grant aims to support tobacco-dependent communities in North Carolina. Established to assist farmers and businesses affected by the Master Settlement Agreement, the Commission focuses on economic development, increasing farm profitability, and promoting agricultural diversity. Grants are available for organizations that deliver services to impacted populations, with priority given to projects that foster community stability and resource development. The Commission's funding is managed by the State Treasurer and requires strategic project proposals.

Overview

The Tobacco Trust Fund Commission The NCTTFC was created to assist current/former tobacco farmers, former quota holders, persons engaged in tobacco-related businesses, individuals displaced from tobacco-related employment, and tobacco product component businesses in NC that have been affected by the adverse effects of the MSA. The NCTTFC can disburse funds through compensatory programs and qualified agricultural programs. The Governor, Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tem of the Senate appoint our eighteen board members. Our board meets quarterly and as needed to carry out NCTTFC business. The NCTTFC is managed financially by the State Treasurer, and we are administratively housed in the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The NCTTFC is independent, with all grant and policy decisions authorized by our board. The Commission reports annually to the NC Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations regarding its programs. Grant Program Projects will be funded based on the availability of funds and how effectively the stated grant criteria are met. Projects must benefit and impact one or more of these areas: A population that is tobacco-dependent at the farm level and/or manufacturing level and is experiencing economic distressA population that has been adversely affected by changes in the state’s tobacco industryA population that derives most of its income from agriculture The Commission IS NOT equipped to make direct payments to individuals to compensate for losses due to the MSA. The Commission encourages individuals who may be eligible for direct payments to apply as a group for assistance in training, diversification, or a related program purpose so that benefits will be to the community and local economy and not directly to an individual. The Commission will give priority to projects based on size of geographical area, number of people impacted and the impact on the agricultural community. The Commission has established the following funding priorities. Community Economic DevelopmentIncreasing Farm ProfitabilityDiversification InitiativesSkill and Resource DevelopmentDevelopment of Natural Resources Program Statement The Commission will provide funding in two program categories, the Qualified Agricultural Program (QAP) and the Indirect Compensatory Program (ICP). (02 NCAC 57.0204) . The Qualified Agricultural Program (QAP), by statute, authorizes the Commission to support and foster the vitality and solvency of the tobacco-related segment of the agricultural economy with emphasis on the segment adversely impacted by the MSA. The Indirect Compensatory Program (ICP) authorizes the Commission to indirectly compensate or indemnify tobacco producers, former allotment holders, individuals displaced from tobacco-related employment and persons engaged in tobacco-related businesses for economic losses in 1998 and thereafter, resulting from lost quota and declining market conditions caused by the MSA as determined by the Commission according to these rules. In no event shall the amount paid to a tobacco producer or allotment holder pursuant to this Article, when combined with the amount received through the National Tobacco Grower Settlement Trust, exceed the compensable economic loss of the producer or allotment holder. The majority of NCTTFC applicants fall under the QAP category and are agriculturally based. Projects will address one or more of the following goals: Alleviating and avoiding unemployment in the tobacco-related sector of the state’s agricultural economyPreserving and increasing the local tax base in agricultural areasEncouraging the economic stability of participants in the state’s agricultural economyOptimally using natural resources in the tobacco-related segment of the state’s agricultural economySupporting and fostering the vitality and solvency of a tobacco-related sector

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Entities eligible to receive grants include and are limited to:Agencies and departments of the State of North CarolinaLocal government units such as county offices and townsAgencies and departments of the United States GovernmentNon-Profit OrganizationsMembers of the private sector (Contact the TTFC for program clarifications)Grantees must deliver an appropriate service to members of the targeted populations as described under G.S. 143-715.