The 5K Run will begin at 9am and the 2K walk participants will start as soon as all of the runners have crossed the start line. The festival portion of the event will start at 8am and end around noon.

2K Walk Route

5K Run Route

All nonprofit organizations in Gaston County are invited to participate. To be eligible, organizations must attend a mandatory kick-off meeting and complete the Organization Application. The mandatory meetings are held each year in October. The Community Foundation reviews each organization’s application and confirms eligibility. An application acceptance letter is sent to the contact person for each eligible nonprofit. There is no cost to apply, and participation is free.

For announcements regarding the 2024 Run Meetings and Application Deadline, please sign up for our enewsletter: Enewsletter Signup

Organizations invite donors to give to the Community Foundation through the Run and to include their organization in the list of recommended charities on the official donor form or online. Donations must be made payable to the Community Foundation. The Community Foundation receives the gifts and official donor forms, acknowledges donors that donate $250 or more with a tax receipt, and records the gifts in funds named for the beneficiary organizations.

The Gaston Community Foundation:

  • Receives and processes all gifts to the Community Foundation Run and provides a tax receipt.
  • Provides promotional and marketing presence for the Community Foundation Run.
  • Solicits sponsors to provide matching funds.
  • Creates and produces the Run with the help of community volunteers.

Individuals may volunteer to help administer the run. They may also register to participate in the event, make a donation, or help staff a booth on Run day.

Email Lauren Vanacore if you are interested in volunteering.

Participants run a competitive 5K or walk a recreational 2K. There are nonprofit booths, live music, and awards. This is a family-friendly event. All members of the community are welcome to attend.

The Community Foundation provides funds from the unrestricted grant cycle. The Community Foundation raises additional matching funds from individuals, businesses and organizations in the community.

When all the gifts have been recorded and acknowledged – approximately six weeks after the Run – the Community Foundation calculates the match percentage based on the total amount of match money available relative to the total amount of designated contributions, up to $10,000 for each organization. Gaston County Schools and Gaston County Charter Schools share a $15,000 cap. All eligible participating organizations receive the same percentage match on the first $10,000 in designated contributions they raise. The match percentage will be announced at the wrap-up reception in early-June.

For nonprofits that are approved to participate in the 2023 Run, here are some important dates and deadlines to keep in mind:

  • Participating nonprofits must have one registered walker/runner to remain eligible for matching funds. Participants can register up until the day of the Run.
  • The Run will be held on April 1, 2023 beginning at 9AM at the Caromont Health Park in the FUSE District.
  • The deadline for contributions that qualify for matching funds is Monday, April 10. Donations must be brought to the Foundation by 5pm that day or postmarked with that date.
  • All nonprofits are required to provide at least one volunteer for the event. Your volunteer Committee Chair will reach out to you with specific meeting times and responsibilities.
  • For all other questions please email Lauren Vanacore.