Harold T. Sumner Grants
The Harold T. Sumner Professional Education Grants fund training or education for key nonprofit staff in Gaston County to strengthen local organizations' impact and expertise.
Funder: Gaston Community Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2026: Meeting with Foundation staff required (eligibility) | June 2027: Full application deadline (projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to $5,000 total per cycle; may be split among one or more recipients; one award per organization per year.
Summary: Supports Gaston County nonprofits by funding professional training or education for a key staff member with at least one year of service.
Key Information: Grant not active in 2026; next projected cycle opens in 2027. Meeting with Foundation staff is a required eligibility step.
Description
The Harold T. Sumner Professional Education Grants, administered by the Gaston Community Foundation, provide funding to independent nonprofit organizations in Gaston County, North Carolina. The purpose of the grant is to support professional training or education for a key staff member who has served at least one year with the nominating organization. The program aims to strengthen charitable, cultural, or educational organizations by investing in their people, honoring Harold Townsend Sumner’s legacy of community-focused philanthropy.
Awards are based on direct nomination by eligible organizations and are intended to foster organizational growth and community benefit through enhanced staff expertise. Preference is given to training that is local or in-state.
