Open Grants Program
The Golden LEAF Foundation’s Open Grants Program funds science-driven projects that boost economic development, workforce skills, and agricultural innovation in rural North Carolina communities.
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Funder: Golden LEAF Foundation
Due Dates: October 22, 2026 | December 24, 2026 | February 18, 2027 | April 22, 2027
Funding Amounts: Up to $500,000 per award; project durations typically 1–3 years.
Summary: Supports projects that strengthen North Carolina’s economy in rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities through job creation, workforce, agriculture, and community development.
Key Information: Only governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible; two-stage application via online portal required.
Description
The Golden LEAF Foundation’s Open Grants Program is a competitive funding opportunity aimed at governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing economic development in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, or economically distressed communities. The program supports projects that align with Golden LEAF’s four core priority areas: job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness, agriculture, and community competitiveness and capacity. Typical projects include workforce training initiatives, infrastructure development for industrial and workforce housing, and agricultural innovation. Applications are reviewed in a two-stage process to ensure alignment with foundation priorities and maximize potential for measurable economic impact.
