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.

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!




Join the Next Generation Giving Circle and take an important step in joining others to practice philanthropy.

Our Interests

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

In February 2023, the Next Gen awarded 3 grants to nonprofits tackling health and wellness related initiatives. The grants are awarded as follows:

  • Catawba Riverkeeper: $1,000. This grant will support intro to kayaking classes to both educate the public on safe kayaking practices, but also engage them with the water we are trying to protect.
  • Dream Center Academy: $3,500. This grant will fund hiring a Licensed Mental Health Clinician for students during the 2023 - 2024 school year.
  • Mount Holly Community Relief Organization: $4,500. This grant will support building renovations to maximize existing space and make current operations more effective. Along with the renovation, four residential refrigerators with two commercial units will be replaced to enable the distributions of more fresh, healthy foods to families in need.

The 2024 Next Gen grant cycle will open August 1. Stay tuned for the application link.


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.