Economic Catalyst
The Economic Catalyst grant from Golden LEAF Foundation funds science-driven job creation projects in North Carolina’s distressed communities through workforce training, infrastructure, and equipment support.
Funder: Golden LEAF Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling (Proposals accepted year-round; board review at next regular meeting, at least 6 weeks after submission)
Funding Amounts: No fixed maximum; award size varies by project need, job creation, and community impact.
Summary: Supports job creation in North Carolina’s tobacco-dependent or economically distressed communities by funding projects with a company’s formal commitment to create full-time jobs.
Key Information: Applicants must be NC governmental entities or 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and project must have a committed for-profit company partner.
Description
The Economic Catalyst program from the Golden LEAF Foundation provides grants to eligible state, regional, and local economic development entities in North Carolina. Its primary goal is to stimulate job creation in tobacco-dependent or economically distressed communities by supporting projects where a for-profit company commits to creating a specific number of full-time jobs. Funding can be used for workforce training, public infrastructure improvements, or equipment purchases necessary to secure the company’s location and job creation in the state. Projects must demonstrate a clear funding gap or urgent financial need that would otherwise prevent job creation, and applications should be coordinated with other economic development partners.
