We were thrilled to welcome 44 nonprofits to our 2026 Grant Recipient Celebration.

What a day! We were thrilled to welcome 44 nonprofits to our 2026 Grant RecipientCelebration, honoring 41 grant recipients and 3 multi-year partners. Together, these organizations will share more than $1.1 million in grants and serve over 50,000 people across Gaston County.

We were especially excited to welcome 10 first-time grant recipients to the GCF family: ALS United, Brevard Station Museum, The Election Hub (CivicKnowledge Initiative), Faith Forward Outreach, Flower of Life House of Healing, Gastonia Firefighters Foundation, Gastonia Sister Cities, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Make-A-Wish Central & Western NC, and Thrive Recovery Center. 

It was a joy to celebrate the work these nonprofits do every day, from the arts and education to health, human services, and beyond. Their dedication is woven into the fabric of our community, and we’re proud to stand alongside them.

The day’s sweetest surprise? The debut of the Million Dollar Scoop, a special ice cream flavor created by our friends at Downstairs Ice Cream to mark the occasion.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to the fundholders whose generosity makes it all possible!

Grant Recipients

Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region

• Critical Home Repair

Thrive Recovery Center, Inc

• Gaston County Rental Stabilization and Wraparound Support Program

From Hearts 2 Home CarolinasInc

• Donation Retrieval andDistribution Program

City of Gastonia

• Gaston County WinterWeather Shelter for 2026–2027 Season

Boys and Girls Clubs of GreaterGaston

• Life & Workforce Readiness

Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry,Inc.

• Food Pantry

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont

• Gastonia CareerEmployment Center

United Way of Gaston County

• Gaston County United Way Senior Citizen Support Initiative: Spring Clean and Christmas Wishes

Flynn Fellowship Home

• Kitchen Remodel

Brevard Station Museum

• Museum Renovation

Mount Holly Farmers Market

• Nuture/Nourish

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina

• Produce at Gaston County School Mobile Pantries

Gastonia Sister Cities

• Gastonia Sister Cities Exchange Program

Gaston College Foundation

• Expanding STEM Identity Formation Experiences

Gaston County Public Health

• Double Up Bucks

ALS United North Carolina

• ALS United North CarolinaGaston County Reimbursement Program

Gaston Literacy Council, Inc.

• Reading Soul Mates: Strengthening a Proven School-Community Partnership

Strong Like AK

• SLAK House: Cost-Free Medical Housing for Pediatric Cancer Families

Carolina Caring Foundation, Inc.

• Compassionate Care for Gaston County Children and Families Battling Serious Illness

Dallas High Shoals Christian Social Ministry, INC

• Strengthening Food Accessand Family Stability

Legal Aid of North Carolina

• Civil Legal Services for Stronger Gaston County Communities

Heart Society of Gaston County, Inc.

• Medication Assistance

Faith Forward Outreach Ministry

• Tables in the Wilderness

Classroom Central, Inc.

• School Supplies for Gaston County Students in Need

The Gastonia’s Potters House

• Second Phase Housing Fire Safety System

Gaston School of the Arts

• Arts for All

Least of These Carolinas

• 12 Hours of Christmas – ALOTC Christmas

Make-A-Wish Central & Western NC

• Fund-A-Wish: Enhancing Quality of Life for Children with Critical Illnesses in Gaston County

Gaston Innovation Group, Inc. (DBA TechWorks Gaston)

• Career Advancement Through Technology Skills

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Society

• CSO Prelude Ensemble Concerts in Gaston County Schools

Animal League of Gaston County

• Expanded Animal Hospital Hours

African American Museum of History and Culture

• Bridging Generations Through Literacy and the Arts: Gaston County Family Learning Project

Gaston Arts Council

• ArtsGaston Expansion

Gastonia Firefighters Foundation ,Inc.

• Forceable Entry Training Prop

Freedom House For The Carolinas, Inc.

• Gaston County Youth Opportunity & Prevention Collaborative

Now Outreach

• Leadership Institute

Holy Angels, Inc.

• Learning Without Limits

Civic Knowledge Initiative (The Election Hub)

• Gaston County Voter Information Capacity-Building Program

Flower of Life House of Healing Inc.

• Community Healing Garden Infrastructure 

Christ Community Outreach Food Ministry

• Christ Community Outreach Food Ministries