In 1999, the North Carolina legislature created the Golden LEAF Foundation to administer one-half of North Carolina's share of the Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers in accordance with the court consent decree between North Carolina and the manufacturers. A nonprofit organization devoted to the economic well being of North Carolinians, Golden LEAF endeavors to strengthen the state's economy through diverse grantsmaking.
From its inception, Golden LEAF has been committed to using the funds entrusted to it for projects with the most potential for bolstering North Carolina's long-term economy, especially in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities. Golden LEAF's grantsmaking priority areas include agriculture, job creation and retention, and workforce preparedness.