INITIATIVES
Teens Changing Gaston County
What is Teens Changing Gaston County?
Teens Changing Gaston County (TCGC) is a student-run philanthropy program. We learn about Gaston County nonprofit organizations and what it means to be grant makers. We also socialize with other teens from all around the county.
Who can apply to TCGC?
Any Gaston County student—public, private, charter, virtual, early college, or homeschool--in 9th-12th grade is eligible to apply.
When can you apply to participate in TCGC?
The application period is open from July 1-31 each year. Students who are accepted will be notified by mid-August.
What is the acceptance criteria for TCGC?
To be considered for acceptance, you must successfully fill out the application, which includes two brief essays indicating 1) why you're interested in the program, and 2) why you would like to learn about Gaston County’s nonprofit organizations. If more applications are received than there are spots, priority will be given to 11th and 12th graders.
If you're accepted to TCGC, how often will we meet?
The TCGC Board meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 5:00pm-6:30pm. TCGC runs from September through April.
What does TCGC do each month?
TCGC activities vary month by month. Some gatherings take place at a nonprofit site in Gaston County, where students learn about their mission, meet their leaders, take a tour, and help with a project.
Other gatherings take place at the Gaston Community Foundation where nonprofit leaders share their mission and whom they serve.
We also learn about philanthropy and oversee a grant cycle at Gaston Community Foundation.
What is the TCGC Grant Cycle?
The TCGC Grant Cycle is for students who wish to apply for a grant on behalf of a nonprofit organization.
The grant application is open annually from mid-November through early-January.
To learn more, scroll down to the Grant Cycle section.
Do you have to be in TCGC to apply for a grant?
No. Any Gaston County student ages 13-18 is eligible to apply for a TCGC grant. To learn more, scroll down to the Grant Cycle section.
Can you receive community service hours with TCGC?
Yes. Hours are based on time actively serving the community.
Each student must record their hours, and it will be signed off on by the TCGC Program Director.
Can working with TCGC be used towards a recommendation letter for a college or job application?
Yes. Students who participate in a minimum of six gatherings each for at least two years are eligible to request recommendation letters written by the TCGC Program Director.
How might participating in TCGC impact your future?
TCGC’s impact includes teaching students about connecting with people from different places and backgrounds, networking with community leaders from a variety of organizations, grant deliberation and grant making, the importance of philanthropy to a community, and valuable leadership experience and job skills suitable for any future career.
What the Students Say
TCGC Grant Cycle
- Project must have a positive impact on Gaston County, and be beneficial, creative, realistic, and achievable.
- Project must be completed by December 31, 2026.
- Project must be planned and carried out by teens (between 13 and 18 years of age), and must gain skills and knowledge in the process.
- Each group must have an adult adviser and a sponsoring organization. This sponsor organization must be a nonprofit community group or school. (Students will need the organization’s Employee
Identification Number [EIN] in order to open the grant application.) - Requests can be made for a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $1,000; if awarded, funding will be sent directly to the organization who will issue it to the student(s) planning and implementing the
project.
- Materials, supplies, equipment, or books that will help your project have a positive impact on the community.
- We will also consider funding the following: postage, printing, copying or design costs.
- Projects outside of Gaston County.
- Projects that are planned and/or led by adults.
- Projects that are designed as fundraisers (this grant cannot be part of a fundraising event).
- Salaries or stipends to individuals.
- Overhead costs that the nonprofit partner organization incurs.
- Anything that is not going to be directly used for the benefit of the project.
- Alcohol, tobacco, or drug products or the promotion of such products.
The TCGC Grant Cycle will be open from November 17, 2025-January 4, 2026. Click here to apply.
Questions, comments, or ideas?
Contact Lauren Vanacore at lvanacore@cfgaston.org.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Large or small, every gift counts.
Your gift to TCGC supports the Foundation’s mission to inspire the next generation of community leaders through service and philanthropy.