Open Grants Program
Open Grants Program supports North Carolina communities through economic development, workforce, agriculture, and infrastructure projects to strengthen the economy, especially in distressed and rural areas.
Funder: Golden LEAF Foundation
Due Dates: December 24, 2026 (Stages 1 and 2) | February 18, 2027 (Stages 1 and 2) | April 22, 2027 (Stages 1 and 2)
Funding Amounts: Up to $500,000 per award
Summary: Supports economic development projects that strengthen North Carolina’s economy, especially in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and rural communities.
Key Information: Only governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible; Stage 2 applications require an invitation.
Description
The Golden LEAF Foundation’s Open Grants Program supports economic development projects in North Carolina, with particular emphasis on tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and rural communities. Its priority areas are job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness, agriculture, and community competitiveness and capacity. The program accepts applications throughout the year and prioritizes projects with strong potential to advance its economic development mission.
Competitive projects include employer-driven workforce training, high school career pathways in high-demand fields, and water, sewer, or road extensions enabling industrial development and full-time jobs. Agricultural work may include new crops, expanded markets, scientific research, farmer training, cost-effective techniques, and value-added enterprises. Public-use infrastructure needed for workforce housing development is also supported. Competitive applications typically project quantitative outcomes tied to Golden LEAF’s priorities.
