Grantmakers in the News

The Golden Leaf Foundation in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, has announced more than $20 million in grants for scholarships and local projects across North Carolina, the Associated Press reports.

The grants, which are funded by the state's tobacco settlement money, will support programs in agriculture, education, health care, work-force training, and economic development, including more than $3.5 million in need-based scholarships, $1.7 million to public universities, $1.3 million to private colleges, and $500,000 to the North Carolina Community College System. In addition, the Elizabeth City State University Foundation will receive $1.2 million to train aviation workers and develop a more scientifically literate work force in northeastern North Carolina.

"We are always concerned about two primary things: job creation and long-term economic advancement," said Golden Leaf president Valeria Lee. "We know that what works best in the mountain counties may not be the answer in counties down east. Needs and priorities differ, and our grants always reflect that reality."

Lee said foundation grants have helped create jobs in the biotech industry, assisted in the development of a new wine industry and helped create a network for businesses that cater to the large military population in the state.

Golden LEAF was created in 1999 to distribute grants funded by half of the money sent to North Carolina under a settlement with cigarette makers over health care costs. The funds are to be used to help tobacco-dependent communities make the transition to other industries. Since its creation, the foundation has made 542 grants totaling almost $200 million.

For a list of the 2006-2007 grants awarded by the Golden LEAF Foundation, click here.