Mission:
To improve the economic and social conditions of North Carolina's people.

Background:
Golden LEAF (Long-term Economic Advancement Foundation) was created in 1999 as a nonprofit corporation by court order in the aftermath of litigation brought by North Carolina and forty-five other states against the manufacturers of tobacco products. It receives one half of the funds coming to North Carolina resulting from the master settlement agreement, and makes grants to nonprofit and government agencies. To date, Golden LEAF has received $412,609,852 in payments. By 2025, the foundation will have received approximately $2.3 billion. Annual payments are not fixed and are dependent upon several variables, including the number of cigarettes sold in the United States. Since it began making grants in 2001, Golden LEAF has awarded 270 grants totaling $105,555,248. Among the many grants it has given in the past year are $320,000 to the Foundation of Renewal for Eastern North Carolina in Greenville, $300,000 to the Duplin County Economic Development Commission in Kenansville, $250,000 to the North Carolina Arts Council in Raleigh, $250,000 to the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission Foundation in Smithfield, and $200,000 to Greene County Schools in Snow Hill.

Outstanding Features:
The foundation's Web site includes 2004-2005 grant applications and guidelines, information on previous grant recipients, frequently asked questions, and organization news.