Open Grants Program

The Open Grants Program by the Golden LEAF Foundation offers funding to governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in North Carolina. Grants up to $500,000 support projects focused on economic development, particularly in tobacco-dependent and rural communities. Priority areas include job creation, agriculture, workforce preparedness, and enhancing community capacity. This program aims to strengthen the economy by investing in infrastructure, training, and innovative agricultural practices, fostering sustainable growth and partnerships.

Overview
The Open Grants Program allows applicants to apply for Golden LEAF funding throughout the year. Eligible applicants are governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Awards in the Open Grants Program are $500,000 or less.
The Golden LEAF Foundation is committed to using the funds entrusted to it for projects that show the most potential for strengthening North Carolina’s economy, especially in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities.
Priority Funding Areas
This program is for economic development projects aligned with the Golden LEAF priority areas.
Job Creation & Economic Investment
Projects in this priority area gather data to support outcomes including:

• Investment in publicly owned infrastructure
• Investment in privately owned property, plant, and equipment
• New full-time jobs created
• Average annual wage of new full-time jobs
• Business start-upsNew housing units
• Agriculture
• Projects awarded in this priority area will gather data to support outcomes including:
• Number of participants at agricultural trainings
• New publications directed towards farmers

Monthly use of agricultural facilities that benefit farmersAs well as narrative outcomes including: jobs, revenue growth, new agricultural business formations, economic output, changes in agricultural practices; acres in production; new crops/products grown or produced; and other measures of agriculture projects.
Workforce Preparedness
Projects awarded in this priority area will gather data to support outcomes including:
Increase in students earning at least one academic credential (curriculum diploma, certificate, or associate degree/con ed certificate) in the area funded.Increase in students earning at least one industry/third party certification, license, or other credential (nonacademic) in the area funded.Increase in high school students completing CTE pathways in the area funded.
Increase in secondary or post-secondary students participating in work-based learning.Increase in secondary students receiving meaningful exposure and opportunities to explore local career opportunities.
Community Competitiveness and Capacity
At Golden LEAF, our grantmaking responds to the challenges and opportunities that are presented day-to-day and year-to-year. That is why we’re always looking for new ways to leverage our funding, to accomplish more and to build new relationships.
Competitive applications for projects include requests for funds to:
Develop and implement a new workforce training program to meet demand from local employersImplement a career pathway at a high school for a high demand fieldExtend water, sewer, or road infrastructure to a site to enable industrial development that will create full-time jobsSupport the development of new crops, expand markets for agriculture products, or provide training for farmers.Construction of infrastructure for public use needed for development of workforce housing (developer must be a 501(c)(3) or local government entity)

Eligibility

Governmental entities and  501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt organizations that serve the people of North Carolina are eligible to apply.Golden LEAF accepts applications from all communities in North Carolina; however, funded projects must benefit tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities.