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Durham staff brief Board on Golden LEAF Community-Based Grants endorsement process
Summary
Durham County staff briefed commissioners on the Golden LEAF Foundation Community-Based Grants Initiative, explaining eligibility, county caps (up to $1.5M per county), and that Golden LEAF will award up to three projects per county; departments were informed about the endorsement and application timeline.
County staff informed commissioners on Aug. 4 about the process by which the County Manager may endorse projects for the Golden LEAF Foundation’s Community‑Based Grants Initiative (CBGI). John Keefer, Grants Administrator, explained that Golden LEAF makes about $11 million available annually to eligible public-sector organizations within rotating Prosperity Zones and that for Fiscal Year 2026 Durham County is in an eligible zone.
Keefer summarized key program rules: Golden LEAF typically awards up to three projects per county, and total funding per county generally does not exceed $1.5 million; grants focus on job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness and agriculture. Keefer noted that the grant advertisement began months earlier and that Durham would have a shorter internal review window this cycle; he also said department applicants would not participate in evaluations to avoid conflicts of interest.
Commissioners received the informational briefing and were advised about next steps for departments interested in applying and obtaining the County Manager’s endorsement.
