Heavy community interest in Golden LEAF funds

Lenoir County organizations are participating in the Golden LEAF Foundation's community grants-making process for a variety of reasons, but for Pastor Allen Bingham, his reason comes from portions of Jeremiah 29:7.

The applicable portions of the Old Testament scripture call for citizens to "seek the welfare of the city ... and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

"We find prosperity when we seek the prosperity and the welfare of something bigger then ourselves," said Bingham, pastor of Queen Street United Methodist Church in downtown Kinston.

He was among 133 representatives of local governmental and nonprofit groups who attended a meeting at Lenoir Community College this week, held to kick off the local round of the Foundation's Community Assistance Initiative.

Bingham stressed that his focus is not on obtaining grants for the church, but on helping the community through the process.

"We just want to be part of the conversation," he said.

Golden LEAF is visiting 40 North Carolina counties most in need of economic assistance and distributing $2 million in grant funds to each county.

The citizens of the selected counties must identify the key issues facing their community - education, job creation, infrastructure, youth needs and others - and decide how the money will be spent to solve those issues.

Pat Cabe, the Foundation's vice president of programs/community assistance and outreach, said 14 counties have gone through the process since the Community Assistance Initiative started in 2007.

"Our board wants to see projects that will, as we say, ‘Move the needle,' make a difference," Cabe told the audience.

Gaile Harley, executive director of the Grifton-area nonprofit My House is Your House Inc., said her organization gives at-risk and low-income youths the chance to participate in arts and crafts.

"I'm excited about it," she said of the grant process. "I think it's awesome and I hope they're open to new and innovative ideas."

David Anderson can be reached at (252) 559-1077 or danderson@freedomenc.com.

Guidelines for obtaining Golden LEAF community grants:

 Organizations must by 501c3 nonprofits or government entities

 Funds must be used for charitable purposes, not to buy land or buildings, and not to reimburse past expenses

Golden LEAF staff and board and if necessary, legal counsel, will perform "due diligence" on all projects

 Projects are subject to Golden LEAF and State Auditor's Office reporting requirements

The next meeting will be held July 13. For more information visit www.goldenleaf.org or call (888)684-8404 and ask for Pat Cabe or Courtney Mills.