Our Next Generation Giving Circle, or "Next Gen," provides an innovative alternative for those who are not ready to establish a Foundation fund of their own. This Circle allows you to pool your resources with others in the community and put your philanthropic dreams into action.

About Next Gen

Next Gen is a charitable fund, or giving circle, for community members interested in philanthropy. Along with awarding grants to organizations in Gaston County, Next Gen hosts two social gatherings each year and provides volunteer opportunities to support the organizations funded through the grant cycle.

Since the year 2000, the Next Generation Giving Circle has distributed grants totaling over $183,000 to Gaston nonprofits making a difference in the lives of children, their families, the environment and crisis relief organizations. Annual gifts to the Circle grow the Next Generation endowment to help make a far greater impact in the community than any of us can make on our own.

Next Gen will celebrate its 25th Anniversary in 2025! Stay tuned for celebration details!

Our Interests

The Next Generation Giving Circle is focused on supporting nonprofits benefitting a variety of areas in Gaston County.

In October 2024, the Next Gen awarded 3 grants to nonprofits tackling education-related initiatives. The grants are awarded as follows:

  • Distinguished Youth Enrichment Program (D.Y.E.P): $1,500. This grant will support scholarships for tutoring and mentorship for this after school program, focused on assisting children with both academic success and character development.
  • Gaston Literacy Council: $3,500. This grant will fund a new LED screen which is vital in teaching English as a Second Language courses to their clients.
  • Gaston School of the Arts: $5,000. This grant will support the "Arts for All" program, ensuring that education in music, drama and visual arts can be offered to students who would ordinarily not have access.
Grant recipient, Joshua Adkins, Executive Director of Gaston School of the Arts, accepts the $5,000 grant at the Fall Social.

The 2024 Next Gen grant cycle is now closed. The next grant cycle will open again in August 2025.

Join the Next Generation Giving Circle today by filling out a Connect Card (email completed card to Lauren Vanacore) and make an initial contribution. Contributions may be made online or by check (mail to: PO Box 123, Gastonia, NC 28053). If you have any questions, please call or email Lauren Vanacore. Every gift made to the Circle goes directly to the community in the form of grants. The Next Generation Giving Circle suggested (tax-deductible) annual gift is $75 for individuals and $150 for couples.

Next Gen members enjoying fellowship at our Fall Social, October 2024

In October 2023, the Next Gen Steering Committee voted to fund a team for the Gaston County Education Foundation's "Are You Smarter than a Gaston County 5th Grader?" contest at the $1,000 bronze level. In February 2024, the Next Gen Team and their students from Kiser Elementary proved they were, in fact, the smartest fifth graders in Gaston County by winning the contest!