Golden LEAF Community-Based Grants Initiative (CBGI)

The Golden LEAF Community-Based Grants Initiative (CBGI) is designed to identify projects with the potential to have a significant impact in the Southeast Prosperity Zone. The counties in the Southeast Prosperity Zone are Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, and Wayne. It is a focused process with grants targeted toward investments in the building blocks of economic growth. 

Funds are limited to projects that address job creation and economic investment, agriculture, and workforce preparedness. You can learn more about these project categories by visiting the CBGI website here: https://www.goldenleaf.org/cbgi-southeast/gathering/

Funding

A total of $11 million is available to support projects in the region. Awards are limited to no more than three projects in any county and may total no more than $1.5 million in any county. Not all proposals will be funded and there is no assurance that there will be a funded project in every county. 

Eligibility

Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or governmental entities (county and municipal governments, community colleges, universities, etc.) Funds do not have to be administered or implemented by the county government. Projects must address job creation and economic investment, agriculture, and workforce preparedness.

How to Apply

Each county will determine how to identify which projects will be endorsed for consideration by the Golden LEAF Board of Directors. To apply for this grant, fill out the application below (project worksheet form) and submit by May 27, 2022 to be considered. Applications can be submitted by email to kayla.whitley@waynegov.com or in person at the County Manager's Office on the 4th floor of the Wayne County Courthouse in Goldsboro. The county manager and staff will endorse up to four projects to apply to Golden LEAF in this program.

Click here for the blank project worksheet form (Application)

Click here for an example project worksheet form (Example Application)

Key Dates

For a list of key dates, click here.