United Way of Gaston County Inc
United Way of Gaston County Inc is a public charity based in Gastonia, North Carolina. Founded in 1953, it supports human services in Gaston County through grants, volunteers, and collections, with work centered on education, financial stability, and health.
United Way of Gaston County Inc at a glance
In short: United Way of Gaston County Inc gave $408K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in North Carolina. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $408,011
- -0.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,401
- -0.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $16,304
- Total assets
- $1,989,514
- +0.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 20, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Way of Gaston County Inc
- Review Cycle
- The stated Hurricane Helene relief application deadline was September 26, 2025; it has passed.
- Deadline
- The stated Hurricane Helene relief application deadline was September 26, 2025; it has passed.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 2597, Gastonia, NC 28053-2597
Phone: (704) 864-4554
Website: https://unitedwaygaston.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of Gaston County Inc
Who United Way of Gaston County Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was B&G Club of Greater Gaston ($75K). Together the top 10 received $315K.
Grant Size Distribution
114 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 101 grants of 114 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s website identifies Gaston County, North Carolina, as the area where it works to support human services. Its 2025 filing reports that 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
Cities
Is United Way of Gaston County Inc open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 20 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $408K (2025) to $816K (2021). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $408K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| B&G Club of Greater Gaston Gastonia, NC | General Support | $75,000 |
| Gaston Literacy Council Gastonia, NC | General Support | $47,000 |
| Alliance for Children and Youth Gastonia, NC | General Support | $38,000 |
| Cancer Services of Gaston County Gastonia, NC | General Support | $30,000 |
| Adult Day Care Center Gastonia, NC | General Support | $25,000 |
| Other Grants Under 5000 | — | $24,403 |
| Heart Society of Gaston County Gastonia, NC | General Support | $22,000 |
| Cherryville Area Ministries Cherryville, NC | General Support | $18,000 |
| Dallas Christian Ministries Dallas, NC | General Support | $18,000 |
| Gaston Hospice Inc Gastonia, NC | General Support | $17,608 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Gaston County Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,989,514 | $1,180,743 | $1,224,333 | $408,011 | 20 | $7,405 |
| 2024 | $1,976,888 | $1,346,587 | $1,072,897 | $411,310 | 20 | $19,962 |
| 2023 | $1,867,109 | $1,317,677 | $1,386,191 | $612,454 | 21 | $26,450 |
| 2022 | $1,947,582 | $1,397,509 | $1,313,854 | $634,501 | 20 | $25,742 |
| 2021 | $1,987,930 | $1,407,293 | $1,449,790 | $816,429 | 33 | $90,568 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to mobilize the caring power of the community to address needs and improve lives. Its focus areas include education, financial stability, health, and basic needs. Stated outcomes include helping students succeed and gain career skills; meeting crisis needs and strengthening financial self-sufficiency; improving access to health choices and services; and stabilizing people with emergency food, safe shelter, and other critical services.
Its grants support programs operating in Gaston County. Examples include Gaston Literacy Council, whose stated mission is to increase literacy in Gaston County through assessments, instruction, materials, and tutor training; and Cherryville Area Ministries, which says it provides temporary relief to families in emergencies with necessities such as food, clothing, utilities, medicine, and gas.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization gave 20 grants totaling $408,011. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $75,000, with a median of $16,304. The largest awards included $75,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Greater Gaston, $47,000 to Gaston Literacy Council, $38,000 to Alliance for Children and Youth, $30,000 to Cancer Services of Gaston County, and $25,000 to Adult Day Care Center. The filing lists each of these grants as general support.
The organization’s website describes a Hurricane Helene relief allocation for nonprofits assisting affected Gaston County residents with needs including housing, utilities, and other basic necessities. The application deadline for that funding was September 26, 2025, and has passed. Its 2021–2022 funding application cycle is also historical; the stated pre-qualification deadline was April 16, 2021. That cycle invited organizations with a human services mission in Gaston County addressing at least one of the organization’s listed focus areas to apply.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Andrea Stephens as President/CE and Vincent Cherry as Chair. Other listed directors or members are Justin Amos, Jeff Booker, Nicole Burgess, Stacy Clapper, Marsha Farr, Rodney Freeman (Immediate PA), Randy Gantt, and Clayton Gibson.
United Way of Gaston County Inc is led by Andrea Stephens, President on every filing since 2023; 1 of 19 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Andrea Stephens
President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$43K (2023) → $98K (2025)
Vincent Cherry
Chair
Director → Chair Elect, 2024
Chair Elect → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Clayton Gibson
Member
Director → Marketing Ch, 2023
Marketing Ch → Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dara Hartman
Member
Chair → Immediate Pa, 2024
Immediate Pa → Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Booker
Member
Director → Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rodney Freeman
Immediate Pa
Chair Elect → Chair, 2024
Chair → Immediate Pa, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angela Saunders
Member
Director → Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Hoskins
Member
Director → Finance Chai, 2023
Finance Chai → Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lebarbara Southern
Committee Impact
Director → Community Im, 2024
Community Im → Committee Impact, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Burgess
Member
Director → Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reva Holland
Member
Director → Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dale Melton
Marketing Ch
Member → Marketing Ch, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justin Amos
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marsha Farr
Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Randy Gantt
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacy Clapper
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Thomas
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leigh Hickman
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ray Hardee
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Del Murphy (2021–2024) — Member
- Former: Steve Burr (2021–2024) — Member
- Former: Mark Abernathy (2022–2024) — Member
- Former: Megan Chapman (2022–2024) — Member
- Former: Amia Massey (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Darcel Walker (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jim Comer (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: John Forgan (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Matt Cloninger (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Todd Rhoney (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Matt Adams (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Kyle Robinson (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Larry Bumgardner (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Steven Long (2021–2022) — Immediate Pa
- Former: Will Macdonald (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Lisa Perkins (2022) — Co Chair & Mar
- Former: Emmie Bowyer (2021) — Director
- Former: Kris Burgoon (2021) — Director
- Former: Linda Slade (2021) — Executive Di
- Former: William Sain (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $98K, to Andrea Stephens (President/Ce).
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Gaston County Inc
How much does United Way of Gaston County Inc give each year?
United Way of Gaston County Inc gave $408K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $411K across 20 grants.
What is United Way of Gaston County Inc's typical grant size?
United Way of Gaston County Inc's median grant in 2025 was $16,304, and its average grant was $20,401, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does United Way of Gaston County Inc give grants?
United Way of Gaston County Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Gastonia, NC (15 grants).
Does United Way of Gaston County Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of United Way of Gaston County Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are United Way of Gaston County Inc's largest grantees?
United Way of Gaston County Inc's largest 2025 grantees include B&G Club of Greater Gaston ($75,000), Gaston Literacy Council ($47,000) and Alliance for Children and Youth ($38,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Gaston County Inc?
United Way of Gaston County Inc reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.2M.
What does United Way of Gaston County Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to mobilize the caring power of the community to address needs and improve lives. Its focus areas include education, financial stability, health, and basic needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Gaston County Inc?
United Way of Gaston County Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check unitedwaygaston.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is United Way of Gaston County Inc's EIN?
United Way of Gaston County Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-0653356. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 17, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Gaston County Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Carrie E and Lena V Glenn Foundation Inc
Gastonia, NC
The Carrie E. and Lena V. Glenn Foundation supports nonprofit work in education, health, human services, arts and culture, civic affairs, the environment, and other local needs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,200 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000, for agencies in Gaston County or projects directly serving the county; it accepts applications beyond preselected organizations, and applicants must request the electronic application in writing.
Assets
$7.7M
Grants
23
Total Given
$246K
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
Gaston Community Foundation
Gastonia, NC
Gaston Community Foundation supports nonprofit programs and organizational needs, along with specialized medical and professional education grants, primarily benefiting Gaston County residents in North Carolina. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,100 to $1,732,500, with a median of $17,066. It accepts applications through a competitive community grants cycle; new applicants must meet with Foundation staff before applying.
Assets
$145.4M
Grants
168
Total Given
$10.3M
Pearl Dixon Balthis Fdn Tua
Orlando, FL
The foundation’s grants support charities, educational and theological institutions, health-related organizations, and community services, with all listed 2025 grants providing general operating support. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $16,000, typically around $10,000, and went mainly to North Carolina organizations, with some support in Virginia. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
10
Total Given
$96K
Lena Sue and C Grier Beam Family
Cherryville, NC
Assets
$660K
Grants
13
Total Given
$32K
Charles & Irene Nanney Foundation
Raleigh, NC
The Charles & Irene Nanney Foundation supports educational, charitable, civic, and medical purposes, with most of its giving in North Carolina and a small share in Pennsylvania. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $20,000, with a median of $2,500. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$2.9M
Grants
23
Total Given
$164K
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Gaston County Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-gaston-county-inc-morg_dbee1121f45248eda85a4e40e78732b8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_560653356_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Gaston County Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-gaston-county-inc-morg_dbee1121f45248eda85a4e40e78732b8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from United Way of Gaston County Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
United Way of Gaston County Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?