The Golden LEAF Foundation, a North Carolina grant-making organization, can provide support to help a company train and develop a skilled workforce.  Golden LEAF supports projects that help close the skills gap and increase the pool of highly-qualified people in a North Carolina community, both now and in the future. The foundation funds projects that demonstrate a market demand for skilled workers and aim at developing skill sets required by businesses looking to locate or expand in a North Carolina rural community.

The Foundation's Economic Catalyst grant program includes a category that supports workforce development, with funding to help with the delivery of training programs offered by eligible entities, typically the local community college.

  • Golden LEAF funds are usually used for acquisition of training equipment or construction/renovation of space needed to provide the training.
  • Training must be available to the public and be for transferable skills.
  • Golden LEAF funds may be used in conjunction with, but not to displace training funds available through other sources such as the NC Community College System.
  • When Golden LEAF funds are used for costs associated with job training, Golden LEAF will typically require evidence of an inducement agreement demonstrating that the company is obligated to meet the job creation projections and wage goals, and providing appropriate consequences should the company fail to satisfy its obligations; however, Golden LEAF usually does not require a clawback specifically for the Golden LEAF grant funds.

Golden LEAF's website offers more information about the workforce grants available from the foundation.