[Gaston Community Foundation](https://cfgaston.org)

July 2026 (TCGC program application) | January 2027 (TCGC Grant Cycle full application)

Up to $1,000 per student project; total annual pool near $5,000; one-year project duration.

Supports Gaston County teens in planning and leading creative, community-impact projects in partnership with local nonprofits.

Forecasted dates—check the program page for official deadlines.

--- ## Description This grant opportunity, managed by the Gaston Community Foundation, is part of the Teens Changing Gaston County (TCGC) initiative, a student-driven philanthropy program. TCGC empowers teens to learn about local nonprofit organizations, develop leadership skills, and directly oversee a youth-led grant cycle. Grants support creative projects planned and implemented by teens that address community needs in Gaston County, North Carolina, in partnership with nonprofit organizations or schools. --- ## Due Dates - July 2026: TCGC program application deadline (anticipated/projected) - January 2027: TCGC Grant Cycle full application deadline (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Grants range from $100 to $1,000 per project. - Total annual funding pool is approximately $5,000, distributed among 6–8 projects. - Projects must be completed within one year of the award. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be Gaston County students (public, private, charter, virtual, early college, or homeschool) in grades 9–12 for the TCGC program; for the grant cycle, any Gaston County student ages 13–18 may apply. - Projects must: - Be planned and led by teens (ages 13–18). - Have a positive, creative, and realistic impact on Gaston County. - Be completed by December 31 of the award year. - Be sponsored by a nonprofit community group or school (must provide the organization’s EIN). - Have an adult adviser. - Priority for program selection may be given to 11th and 12th graders if applications exceed available slots. --- ## Application Process - Program applications: Open annually in July (anticipated). - Grant cycle applications: Open annually from mid-November to early January (anticipated). - Applicants must complete an online application, including brief essays (for program participation) or a project proposal (for grant funding). - Grant proposals require identification of a nonprofit or school sponsor and an adult adviser. - Funding, if awarded, is disbursed directly to the sponsoring organization, which then issues funds to the student project team. --- ## Additional Information - Grant funds may be used for materials, supplies, equipment, books, and certain administrative costs (e.g., printing, postage). - Funds cannot be used for projects outside Gaston County, adult-led projects, fundraising events, salaries, nonprofit overhead, or prohibited items (e.g., alcohol, tobacco). - Participation in TCGC can earn community service hours and may qualify students for recommendation letters. --- ## External Links - [TCGC Program & Grant Information](https://www.cfgaston.org/tcgc/#grant-cycle) - [Current/Recent Grant Cycle Announcement](https://www.cfgaston.org/news/teens-changing-gaston-county-grant-cycle-is-live/) - [Past Grant Recipients](https://www.cfgaston.org/giving/teens-changing-gaston-county-grant-recipients/) - [Gaston Community Foundation Homepage](https://cfgaston.org) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Address | |---------------------|------------------------------|---------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | Lauren Vanacore (Program Director) | [lvanacore@cfgaston.org](mailto:lvanacore@cfgaston.org) | 704-864-0927 | P.O. Box 123, Gastonia, NC 28053 (Mailing)
250 South New Hope Road, Suite A, Gastonia, NC 28054 (Physical) | | General Inquiries | [info@cfgaston.org](mailto:info@cfgaston.org) | 704-864-0927 | See above |

Teens Changing Gaston County

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