History

The organization began operations on July 11, 1978 as The Garrison Community Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity. Initial funding of $726,524 came from remainder assets of the closed Garrison Community Hospital. Its current total assets are more than $70 million, with $13 million of that total in unrestricted community endowments.

In 1987, the name was changed to The Community Foundation of Gaston County, Inc., to better describe its broad community role. The historic name was preserved by simultaneous renaming of the important and growing general fund now known as the Garrison Fund.

Of nearly 200 charitable funds now under its care, the largest single fund is the Allen H. and Anne R. Sims Fund which houses an unrestricted bequest now valued at more than $6 million. The largest-ever single gift to the Foundation was $7.8 Million in a bequest from the late Frank Davis, a longtime Gastonia cotton buyer/broker, although that gift is divided into two funds.

The Foundation also manages many other unrestricted funds, along with those designated for a specific charitable organization and advised funds where the individual or corporate donor can recommend use of the proceeds for a wide variety of community causes.

The Foundation's office is located at 1201 E. Garrison Blvd. in Gastonia. Utilizing a dedicated staff of four, ample office facilities and a comprehensive computer system to effectively build development efforts and to efficiently manage administrative needs the Foundation uses well under 1% of net assets annually for operating costs.

Throughout more than 25 years of progress, the mission of The Foundation remains the same: Effective operation of a permanent foundation to accept and manage gifts for charitable, benevolent, cultural, religious, civic, moral and educational purposes benefiting Gaston County.