Golden LEAF Awards $8.2 Million for 2004-2005 Grant Cycle

Source from:  ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., /PRNewswire/ 11/08/2004

Grants Benefit Communities Throughout the State The Board of Directors of the Golden LEAF Foundation awarded $8,242,906 million in grants for its 2004-2005 regular grant cycle. Golden LEAF, a nonprofit corporation, was created in 1999 to administer one-half of the funds coming to North Carolina from the master settlement agreement with cigarette manufacturers. William Clarke of Asheville, Golden LEAF board chair, said that the grants reflect the geographic diversity of the state and the many approaches government entities, organizations and communities are taking to long-term economic advancement. The board made 63 grants to qualified nonprofit applicants and governmental units in the following areas: Agriculture - 18 projects totaling $1,932.000. Community Assistance and Education - 11 projects totaling $2,961,520. Economic Development - 9 projects totaling $1,381,786. Economic Development/Tourism - 18 projects totaling $1,391,100. Workforce preparedness - 7 projects totaling $576,500. The board also made two grants totaling $310,000 through its Economic Catalyst grant program. "In the grant application evaluation process, we looked closely at two particular things -- job creation and economic development," said Valeria Lee, president of Golden LEAF. "However, we are a diverse state, and it is obvious that what works or has great promise in one area may not be a logical fit for another. For this reason, it is important for us to listen closely to what local leaders tell us they need." The Golden LEAF Foundation is assisting North Carolinians in the transition from a tobacco-dependent economy through grants and investments helping to create jobs and promote the long-term economic advancement of the state. Enditem