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The Golden L E a F Long-Term Economic Advancement Foundation in

EIN 52-2204473 · Rocky Mount, NC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GOLDEN LEAF'S MISSION IS TO INCREASE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN NORTH CAROLINA'S RURAL AND TOBACCO-DEPENDENT COMMUNITIES THROUGH LEADERSHIP IN GRANTSMAKING, COLLABORATION, INNOVATION, AND STEWARDSHIP AS AN INDEPENDENT AND PERPETUAL FOUNDATION.

Income
$171.5 million
Spending
$169.9 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
93.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 52%
Employees
39
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$346,699, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 93.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 117% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $164.5 million spent. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE FOR WHICH THIS CORPORATION WAS FORMED IS TO PROMOTE THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND LESSEN THE BURDENS OF GOVERNMENT BY RECEIVING AND DISTRIBUTING FUNDS TO BE USED TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSISTANCE TO ECONOMICALLY AFFECTED OR TOBACCO-DEPENDENT REGIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSENT DECREE AND FINAL JUDGMENT IN STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA V. PHILLIP MORRIS INCORPORATED, ET AL., 98 CVS 14377. ACTIVITIES IN WHICH THE CORPORATION MAY ENGAGE IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING: 1. EDUCATION ASSISTANCE - PROVISION OF FUNDS FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR TOBACCO FARMERS AND OTHER WORKERS IMPACTED OR PROJECTED TO BE IMPACTED BY THE DECLINE IN DEMAND FOR AND/OR PRODUCTION OF TOBACCO OR TOBACCO PRODUCTS. 2. JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE - PROVISION OF LOANS AND GRANTS, TO BE USED FOR JOB TRAINING AND OTHER EMPLOYMENT-RELATED PROGRAMS TO ORGANIZATIONS ASSISTING TOBACCO FARMERS AND OTHER WORKERS DEPENDENT ON TOBACCO FARMING, PRODUCTION, AND SALES TO TRANSITION TO OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME. 3. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH - PROVISION OF FUNDING FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH TO DEVELOP NEW USES FOR TOBACCO OR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE CASH CROPS. 4. ECONOMIC HARDSHIP ASSISTANCE - PROVISION OF DIRECT GRANTS, LOANS, AND OTHER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO ALLEVIATE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, POVERTY OR NEED EXPERIENCED BY TOBACCO FARMERS, QUOTA OWNERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND OTHERS AS A RESULT OF DECLINE IN QUOTA AND/OR PRODUCTION OF TOBACCO OR TOBACCO PRODUCTS. 5. PUBLIC WORKS AND INDUSTRIAL RECRUITMENT - PROVISION OF GRANTS AND LOANS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR UPGRADING UTILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES OR FOR MORE GENERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES. 6. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - PROVISION OF FUNDING FOR IMPROVED HEALTH CARE AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY OF TOBACCO-DEPENDENT COMMUNITIES. 7. COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE - PROVISION OF DIRECT GRANTS AND LOANS TO ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED AND DETERIORATING TOBACCO-DEPENDENT COMMUNITIES TO BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.