During May and June, the Golden LEAF Foundation will hold three briefings around the state to familiarize grantseekers with its Open Grants Program.

The new initiative, which replaces the funder’s Annual Grants Cycle, allows nonprofits to submit grant requests throughout the year and simplifies the grant-request process.

While the foundation’s primary focus areas are agriculture, job-creation and retention, and workforce-preparedness, applications proposing to boost the economies of rural or tobacco-dependent communities also will be considered.

Special consideration will be given to proposals that would leverage federal stimulus dollars.

The briefings are free, but those wishing to attend are asked to notify the foundation by emailing tgaulding@goldenleaf.org.

Sessions will be held in three locations:

  • May 27 at 10 a.m.: East Carolina Heart Institute at East Carolina University, Greenville
  • June 1 at 10 a.m.: Ferguson Building at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville
  • June 1 at 3:30 p.m.: Sells Building at Surry Community College, Dobson