Final 2025 numbers to educate and encourage.
Let me share with you just how surprisingly strong the year 2025 was for the Gaston Community Foundation.
Frankly, because our giving totals had been average-at-best through November, I was somewhat shocked at the final year-end report when Angela Micalizzi gave it to me. So much so that I walked down the hall to ask her if the report was correct. So, part of the reason for this communication is to make sure that you are not similarly misinformed.
The confusion resulted from raising over $5 million in new gifts in the last month (December 2025) which turned what might have been an average year for new giving into the Foundation’s fourth best.
So, here are some final 2025 numbers to better educate and, hopefully, encourage you about the Gaston Community Foundation. Thank you, generous donors, who made this possible!
- Total gifts for the year were $12.4 million, the fourth best year ever. Again, $5 million in December alone.
- Total grants and scholarships for the year were $11.5 million.
- The annual operating budget produced a surplus of $120 thousand.
- Strong market returns and new gifts pushed total assets at the year-end over $160 million, the highest total ever.
As we begin 2026, there is lots more happening:
- We are beginning a feasibility study for our 50th anniversary.
- As mandated by our investment policy at least every five years, we have invited several outstanding investment firms to submit proposals for how they would manage the Foundation’s assets if given the opportunity.
- Elizabeth Patton and I are working with various potential fundholders who we hope will establish large new funds.
Thank you so much for all you do to support the Gaston Community Foundation. We are hard at work to strengthen philanthropy in our community. We hope you take pride in what we are doing. Please spread the word and let us know how we can better serve you.
Sincerely,
Richard Rankin
Gaston Community Foundation President
