Opportunity Overview
The Golden LEAF Foundation Open Grants Program is a year round North Carolina funding opportunity for economic development projects that benefit rural, tobacco dependent, and economically distressed communities. Golden LEAF accepts applications on recurring cycles throughout the year and makes one time investments intended to launch or expand projects with lasting economic impact.
Funding and Deadline
Open Grants awards are $500,000 or less. The current calendar lists the next Stage 1 submission cutoff as October 22, 2026 at 12 PM, followed by a December 3, 2026 Board review. Later published cutoffs include December 24, 2026, February 18, 2027, and April 22, 2027. Golden LEAF does not state a time zone for the 12 PM submission cutoff on the current program page, so applicants should follow the portal instructions exactly.
The program does not publish a fixed mandatory match percentage. The Stage 1 application asks for the total project budget, including the Golden LEAF request, matching funds, and other sources, and states that co investment from other committed funders may strengthen an application.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are North Carolina governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Governmental entities include counties, municipalities, school districts, community colleges, colleges, and universities. For profit businesses and individuals are not eligible.
Relevant Healthcare and Education Uses
All projects must align with Golden LEAF priority funding areas. The official guidelines specifically identify medical equipment for expanding nonprofit healthcare providers that will create jobs as an example under Job Creation and Economic Investment. Workforce Preparedness examples include new or expanded workforce training programs at community colleges, high school career and technical education pathways, industry certifications, and work based learning. Golden LEAF’s 2026 awards also document funding for nonprofit health center equipment, nursing simulation equipment, and respiratory therapy training equipment.
Application Process
The program uses a two stage process through the Golden LEAF Fluxx grant portal. Stage 1 is a shorter preliminary application used to establish project fit and alignment. Required Stage 1 attachments include the Certification and Signature Form and the Project Budget Form in Excel format. Invited applicants proceed to Stage 2, which requires additional organizational, financial, project, outcome, staffing, and supporting documentation.
Stage 2 required materials include an updated Certification and Signature Form, board or governing body list, evidence of tax exempt or governmental status, most recent fiscal year end financial statements, current year organizational budget, budget for the grant period, two years of financial statements for 501(c)(3) applicants, organization information, a proposal description, outcomes narrative, baseline documentation, and project staff information. Golden LEAF conducts detailed due diligence, including a site visit, for Stage 2 applicants.
Atlas Fit Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 94/100. This is a recurring, high value North Carolina funding pathway with a $500,000 ceiling and documented applicability to nonprofit healthcare expansion, health professions training, and education or workforce projects.
N9+ Fit Score: 82/100, conditional. The controlling guidelines expressly identify medical equipment for expanding nonprofit healthcare providers that will create jobs as a competitive project example. A legitimate applicant led role for the Nonagon N9+ device and platform may therefore exist when an eligible nonprofit healthcare provider or governmental institution has a documented expansion, workforce, or access project in which the technology is necessary, allowable, and tied to measurable Golden LEAF outcomes. Fit is conditional because Golden LEAF does not preapprove any specific device, vendor, or technology and each project must independently satisfy economic development and outcome requirements.
QC Healthcare direct applicant fit: 0/100. For profit businesses are not eligible applicants. Any QC Healthcare role must be applicant led and comply with the applicant’s procurement and budget requirements.
Next Action
Eligible North Carolina nonprofit healthcare providers, community colleges, school systems, and governmental entities with qualifying expansion or workforce projects should use Golden LEAF’s Project Fit Quiz, contact program staff as recommended, and prepare the Stage 1 Fluxx application and required forms for the applicable rolling cutoff.
Verified source: Golden LEAF Foundation Open Grants Program.