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    1. Home
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    3. Golden Leaf
    Golden Leaf logo

    Golden Leaf

    ActivePhilanthropy & Voluntarism
    Rocky Mount, NCWebsite2524427474

    About Golden Leaf

    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.

    Focus Areas

    Job creation and economic investmentWorkforce preparednessAgricultureCommunity competitiveness and capacitySite developmentDisaster recoveryFlood mitigationScholarships

    Who They Fund

    rural communities and countiescommunity college and vocational/CTE students (including dual-enrollment/apprenticeship participants)small business owners and startups (including food businesses)

    About Golden Leaf

    The Golden LEAF Inc. channels large grants into North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities, with recent awards ranging from small-capacity support to multimillion-dollar infrastructure and workforce investments. A 2025 grant of $57.5 million to Mountain BizCapital Inc. stands out for Hurricane Helene small business loans and recovery funding, showing how the foundation responds when local business conditions are disrupted. Its 2025 support for North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, at $25 million for Golden LEAF Schools, points to a parallel commitment to education-linked economic opportunity. The foundation also backs workforce and industry pipelines through institutions such as Wilson Community College, which received $13 million for the Wilson Biologics Training Center Equipment, and Methodist University Inc., which received $8 million for job creation and new regional educational pathways with the Cape Fear Valley School of Medicine. Alongside those awards, Golden LEAF funds site development, housing, agriculture, scholarships, and disaster recovery, connecting local institutions, public agencies, and economic development organizations to projects intended to strengthen communities across the state.

    What Golden Leaf Funds

    Workforce preparation is a major thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2025, Wilson Community College received $13 million for Wilson Biologics Training Center Equipment, and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College received $2.225 million to expand advanced manufacturing pathways and automotive technology pathways. Higher education and scholarships are another clear focus. The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority received $3.116 million for the Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship in 2025-2026, while the North Carolina Community College System received $3 million for the Golden LEAF Community Colleges Scholarship in the same cycle. Golden LEAF also supports disaster recovery and small business resilience. Mountain BizCapital Inc. received $57.5 million for Hurricane Helene Small Business Loans and the Helene Small Business Recovery Fund Request, and North Carolina Baptist Men received $2.94 million for the Helene Relief Project. Site and infrastructure projects remain part of the portfolio as well, including $2.875 million to County of Robeson for the Robeson County Site Development Project & Shell Project.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $161.3M

    Total Assets

    $1.5B

    Total Revenue

    $171.5M

    Total Expenses

    $169.9M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $90K and $697K, with a median of $250K.

    25th Percentile

    $90K

    Median

    $250K

    75th Percentile

    $697K

    Geographic Reach

    Local2 states funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    SCOTT T HAMILTON

    Accepts unsolicited proposals

    Deep Analysis

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    © 2026 Kindora. All rights reserved.

    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 52-2204473Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $1.5B3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders
    job seekers / incumbent workers in manufacturing and trade occupations
    local governments / regional economic development entities
    higher-education students (college/university scholarship recipients)
    residents affected by disasters (Helene relief beneficiaries)

    Funding Style

    capacity building (equipment & facilities)capital/infrastructure grants (industrial parks, shell buildings)workforce development & trainingscholarships / direct student financial supportdisaster recovery & small business relief

    Topics

    advanced manufacturing pathways & trainingcareer & technical education (CNC, welding, HVAC-R, heavy equipment)small business recovery and loan supportindustrial site development and economic development infrastructurehigher education and community college scholarshipshealthcare education and health sciences workforce developmentfood industry support and local food business equipment

    How Golden Leaf Gives

    Typical grant size clusters in the middle six figures: p25 is $89,624, median is $250,000, and p75 is $696,706. The recent record also includes large awards above $10 million, which indicates a mix of broad public investments and more targeted project grants. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF vehicle, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Its recent grant list shows repeated awards to the same public systems and state entities across multiple years, including the community college system and state education assistance authority, suggesting recurring relationships rather than one-off support.

    Where Golden Leaf Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is overwhelmingly in North Carolina, which accounts for 99% of grants and is also the top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities include Asheville, Raleigh, Sanford, Wilson, Kinston, Siler City, Fayetteville, and Lumberton. The pattern is statewide but concentrated in local public institutions, colleges, counties, and municipalities. All recent grants in the dataset went to U.S. recipients, with no non-U.S. countries represented.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Golden Leaf

    What kinds of projects does The Golden LEAF Inc. fund?

    The foundation funds job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness, agriculture, community competitiveness and capacity, site development, disaster recovery, flood mitigation, and scholarships. Recent examples include education pathways, industrial site development, small business recovery, and community college scholarship support.

    How large are typical grants?

    The typical grant size sits in the middle six figures: p25 is $89,624, the median is $250,000, and p75 is $696,706. The recent list also includes awards in the millions, including several above $10 million.

    Does the foundation focus on a specific geography?

    Yes. Giving is local, and 99% of grants go to recipients in North Carolina. Recent grants reached places such as Asheville, Raleigh, Wilson, Fayetteville, Lumberton, and Kinston.

    Does The Golden LEAF Inc. give recurring support to the same organizations?

    Yes. The recent grant list shows repeated funding to the North Carolina Community College System and the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority across multiple years, alongside other repeat public-sector recipients and project-based awards.

    What beneficiary groups appear in the grantmaking?

    The foundation supports rural communities and counties, community college and vocational students, small business owners and startups, manufacturing and trade workers, local governments and regional economic development entities, higher-education students, and residents affected by disasters such as Helene.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Golden Leaf that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Up to $500K

    Open Grants Program

    Job Creation and Economic InvestmentWorkforce PreparednessAgriculture+1 more

    Who can apply: Eligible applicants are governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Projects should align with Golden LEAF priority areas and generally focus on strengthening North Carolina's economy, especially in rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities.

    Deadline: Applications are accepted throughout the year, with Board review at scheduled meetings.

    View & apply
    Open nowRolling / open intake

    SITE Program

    Site identificationSite due diligenceSite development+1 more

    Who can apply: Golden LEAF accepts applications from organizations in all counties, with priority for counties that are persistently economically distressed and in economically distressed, rural, and tobacco-dependent communities.

    Deadline: Board considers received applications at each regular meeting during the year.

    View & apply
    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Up to $2M

    Flood Mitigation Program

    Flood mitigationPublic infrastructureCommunity resilience

    Who can apply: Funds may only be awarded to units of local government. Eligible projects include construction or improvement of publicly owned stormwater infrastructure, repair with mitigation improvements, and engineering expenses related to planning flood mitigation solutions.

    Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis until all available funds are awarded. (Historic deadline references exist for specific cycles, but general policy is rolling intake.)

    View & apply
    Open nowRolling / open intake

    Economic Catalyst Program

    Economic developmentJob creationPublic infrastructure+3 more

    Who can apply: Projects must be tied to a specific company's commitment to create full-time jobs in North Carolina, and the job creation must be at risk without Golden LEAF support. Applicants must be governmental entities or 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

    Deadline: Submitted throughout the year; presented to the Board at the next meeting at least six weeks after submission.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    Mountain BizCapital IncAsheville, NC$57,500,0002025Hurricane Helene Small Business Loans & Helene Small Business Recovery Fund Request
    North Carolina Department of Public InstructionRaleigh, NC$25,000,0002025Golden LEAF Schools
    Wilson Community CollegeWilson, NC$13,000,0002025Wilson Biologics Training Center Equipment
    Methodist University IncFayetteville, NC$8,000,0002025Job Creation and New Regional Educational Pathways with Methodist University Cape Fear Valley School of Medicine
    North Carolina Housing Finance AgencyRaleigh, NC$6,000,0002025Housing Projects
    North Carolina State Education Assistance AuthorityRaleigh, NC$3,116,1732025Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship (2025-2026)
    North Carolina Community College SystemRaleigh, NC$3,000,0002025Golden LEAF Community Colleges Scholarship (2025-2026)
    North Carolina Baptist MenCary, NC$2,940,0002025Helene Relief Project
    County of RobesonLumberton, NC$2,875,0002025Robeson County Site Development Project & Shell Project
    Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeSalisbury, NC$2,225,0002025Expanding Advanced Manufacturing Pathways at RCCC & Expanding Automotive Technology Pathways in Cabarrus County
    County of NorthamptonJackson, NC$1,536,1202025Northampton County Commerce Park Infrastructure Expansion
    County of HokeRaeford, NC$1,400,0002025Hoke County Industrial Park
    County of HalifaxHalifax, NC$1,398,0002025Halifax County Industrial Shell Building
    County of AsheJefferson, NC$1,385,0002025Ashe County - Shell Building
    Town of Tabor CityTabor City, NC$1,381,5002025Tabor City Shell Building
    County of FranklinLouisburg, NC$1,375,0002025Franklin County, Triangle North Franklin, Shell Building
    Bladen's Bloomin' Agri-Industrial IncElizabethtown, NC$1,350,0002025BBAI Aviation Incubator 2
    Scotland County Economic Development CorporationLaurinburg, NC$1,350,0002025Building 3
    Gaston CollegeDallas, NC$1,159,6002025Expansion of Gaston College Welding Program & Lincoln County Health Academy
    Stanly Community College Foundation IncAlbemarle, NC$1,000,0002025Crafting Tomorrow: CNC Machining Education in Stanly County & Engineering and Information Technology Pathways - Dual-Enrollment and Apprenticeships
    Barton CollegeWilson, NC$1,000,0002025Barton College School of Health Sciences- Phase 1
    Union County GovernmentMonroe, NC$1,000,0002025Union County Food Innovation Center
    South Piedmont Community College Foundation IncPolkton, NC$980,0002025SPCC BioWorks Program & HVAC-R Program at L.L. Polk Campus (Anson CBGI)
    Cleveland Community CollegeShelby, NC$922,6632025Expanding Heavy Equipment Operator Training & Healthcare Educational Pathway
    City of LumbertonLumberton, NC$825,0002025Southeast Crossroads Industrial Park - Electrical Line Relocation & Upgrade
    Iredell County EDC FoundationMooresville, NC$750,0002025Herring Industrial Dr. Expansion
    Kelly Services IncTroy, MI$680,0002025Direct Sourcing - Internship
    Catholic Charities Diocese of CharlotteCharlotte, NC$650,0002025Helene Relief Project
    Town of NashvilleNashville, NC$500,0002025Red Oak Road Water Extension Project
    Johnston Community College Foundation IncSmithfield, NC$500,0002025Workforce Development in Support of Advanced Manufacturing
    Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro- Wayne IncGoldsboro, NC$500,0002025McNair Heights Neighborhood Development
    Martin Community CollegeWilliamston, NC$500,0002025EMS Simulation Center
    City of WhitevilleWhiteville, NC$500,0002025Provalus Building Renovations
    ENC FCCAyden, NC$500,0002025Project EFFORT (Equipment For Food Opportunities in Rural Towns)
    Washington County SchoolsPlymouth, NC$500,0002025Hyde Tyrrell Washington Career Tech Innovation Center
    College of the AlbemarleElizabeth City, NC$500,0002025COA Health Sciences Regional Education Center
    Greene County SchoolsSnow Hill, NC$499,7082025Greene CTE Facility Expansion
    Randolph Community CollegeAsheboro, NC$493,0002025Heavy Duty Equipment Simulator
    Hights IncCullowhee, NC$477,9262025Career Connect
    Beaufort County Community CollegeWashington, NC$405,0002025Nursing Expansion
    Cleveland County SchoolsShelby, NC$360,5912025Healthcare Education Pathway
    Harrells Christian Academy IncHarrells, NC$350,0002025HCA Agricultural Education Building
    Rowan-Salisbury School SystemSalisbury, NC$325,0002025Implementing Global Logistics Program
    Anson County SchoolsWadesboro, NC$300,0002025Agri-Anson
    Carteret Community College Foundation IncMorehead City, NC$297,8602025Carteret Works
    Gardner-Webb UniversityBoiling Springs, NC$290,4092025Healthcare Educational Pathway
    Interfaith Assistance MinistryHendersonville, NC$250,0002025Food Distribution Assistance Program
    The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC$250,0002025Impacting Rural Communities through anchor institutions across North Carolina
    WASHINGTON OUTREACH MINISTRYWaco, NC$250,0002025Food Distribution Assistance Program
    Feed My Lambs IncWadesboro, NC$249,5002025Food Distribution Assistance Program

    Mountain BizCapital Inc

    $57,500,000
    Asheville, NC2025

    Hurricane Helene Small Business Loans & Helene Small Business Recovery Fund Request

    North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

    $25,000,000
    Raleigh, NC2025

    Golden LEAF Schools

    Wilson Community College

    $13,000,000
    Wilson, NC2025

    Wilson Biologics Training Center Equipment

    Methodist University Inc

    $8,000,000
    Fayetteville, NC2025

    Job Creation and New Regional Educational Pathways with Methodist University Cape Fear Valley School of Medicine

    North Carolina Housing Finance Agency

    $6,000,000
    Raleigh, NC2025

    Housing Projects

    North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority

    $3,116,173
    Raleigh, NC2025

    Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship (2025-2026)

    North Carolina Community College System

    $3,000,000
    Raleigh, NC2025

    Golden LEAF Community Colleges Scholarship (2025-2026)

    North Carolina Baptist Men

    $2,940,000
    Cary, NC2025

    Helene Relief Project

    County of Robeson

    $2,875,000
    Lumberton, NC2025

    Robeson County Site Development Project & Shell Project

    Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

    $2,225,000
    Salisbury, NC2025

    Expanding Advanced Manufacturing Pathways at RCCC & Expanding Automotive Technology Pathways in Cabarrus County

    County of Northampton

    $1,536,120
    Jackson, NC2025

    Northampton County Commerce Park Infrastructure Expansion

    County of Hoke

    $1,400,000
    Raeford, NC2025

    Hoke County Industrial Park

    County of Halifax

    $1,398,000
    Halifax, NC2025

    Halifax County Industrial Shell Building

    County of Ashe

    $1,385,000
    Jefferson, NC2025

    Ashe County - Shell Building

    Town of Tabor City

    $1,381,500
    Tabor City, NC2025

    Tabor City Shell Building

    County of Franklin

    $1,375,000
    Louisburg, NC2025

    Franklin County, Triangle North Franklin, Shell Building

    Bladen's Bloomin' Agri-Industrial Inc

    $1,350,000
    Elizabethtown, NC2025

    BBAI Aviation Incubator 2

    Scotland County Economic Development Corporation

    $1,350,000
    Laurinburg, NC2025

    Building 3

    Gaston College

    $1,159,600
    Dallas, NC2025

    Expansion of Gaston College Welding Program & Lincoln County Health Academy

    Stanly Community College Foundation Inc

    $1,000,000
    Albemarle, NC2025

    Crafting Tomorrow: CNC Machining Education in Stanly County & Engineering and Information Technology Pathways - Dual-Enrollment and Apprenticeships

    Barton College

    $1,000,000
    Wilson, NC2025

    Barton College School of Health Sciences- Phase 1

    Union County Government

    $1,000,000
    Monroe, NC2025

    Union County Food Innovation Center

    South Piedmont Community College Foundation Inc

    $980,000
    Polkton, NC2025

    SPCC BioWorks Program & HVAC-R Program at L.L. Polk Campus (Anson CBGI)

    Cleveland Community College

    $922,663
    Shelby, NC2025

    Expanding Heavy Equipment Operator Training & Healthcare Educational Pathway

    City of Lumberton

    $825,000
    Lumberton, NC2025

    Southeast Crossroads Industrial Park - Electrical Line Relocation & Upgrade

    Iredell County EDC Foundation

    $750,000
    Mooresville, NC2025

    Herring Industrial Dr. Expansion

    Kelly Services Inc

    $680,000
    Troy, MI2025

    Direct Sourcing - Internship

    Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte

    $650,000
    Charlotte, NC2025

    Helene Relief Project

    Town of Nashville

    $500,000
    Nashville, NC2025

    Red Oak Road Water Extension Project

    Johnston Community College Foundation Inc

    $500,000
    Smithfield, NC2025

    Workforce Development in Support of Advanced Manufacturing

    Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro- Wayne Inc

    $500,000
    Goldsboro, NC2025

    McNair Heights Neighborhood Development

    Martin Community College

    $500,000
    Williamston, NC2025

    EMS Simulation Center

    City of Whiteville

    $500,000
    Whiteville, NC2025

    Provalus Building Renovations

    ENC FCC

    $500,000
    Ayden, NC2025

    Project EFFORT (Equipment For Food Opportunities in Rural Towns)

    Washington County Schools

    $500,000
    Plymouth, NC2025

    Hyde Tyrrell Washington Career Tech Innovation Center

    College of the Albemarle

    $500,000
    Elizabeth City, NC2025

    COA Health Sciences Regional Education Center

    Greene County Schools

    $499,708
    Snow Hill, NC2025

    Greene CTE Facility Expansion

    Randolph Community College

    $493,000
    Asheboro, NC2025

    Heavy Duty Equipment Simulator

    Hights Inc

    $477,926
    Cullowhee, NC2025

    Career Connect

    Beaufort County Community College

    $405,000
    Washington, NC2025

    Nursing Expansion

    Cleveland County Schools

    $360,591
    Shelby, NC2025

    Healthcare Education Pathway

    Harrells Christian Academy Inc

    $350,000
    Harrells, NC2025

    HCA Agricultural Education Building

    Rowan-Salisbury School System

    $325,000
    Salisbury, NC2025

    Implementing Global Logistics Program

    Anson County Schools

    $300,000
    Wadesboro, NC2025

    Agri-Anson

    Carteret Community College Foundation Inc

    $297,860
    Morehead City, NC2025

    Carteret Works

    Gardner-Webb University

    $290,409
    Boiling Springs, NC2025

    Healthcare Educational Pathway

    Interfaith Assistance Ministry

    $250,000
    Hendersonville, NC2025

    Food Distribution Assistance Program

    The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    $250,000
    Chapel Hill, NC2025

    Impacting Rural Communities through anchor institutions across North Carolina

    WASHINGTON OUTREACH MINISTRY

    $250,000
    Waco, NC2025

    Food Distribution Assistance Program

    Feed My Lambs Inc

    $249,500
    Wadesboro, NC2025

    Food Distribution Assistance Program