“Opening Doors, Expanding Horizons” to spotlight youth opportunity, education, and community progress.
ELIZABETH CITY – An evening of elegance, purpose, and local pride is on the horizon as Gates County Community Partnership (GCCP) prepares to host its Charity Gala on Saturday, April 4 at 5:00 p.m. The event will be held at the K. E. White Center at Elizabeth City State University, bringing together community leaders, supporters, and residents for a night designed to celebrate impact and invest in the future of Gates County. With a black-tie dress code, the gala is expected to be one of the region’s most anticipated spring events. Tickets are $50 and available online at GCCP2026.eventbrite.com.
Gates County Community Partnership, established in October 2018 and recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has quickly become one of Gates County’s most influential organizations focused on youth educational advancement, leadership development, and community enrichment. Over the past several years, the organization has helped deliver life-changing resources to students and families, from scholarships and technology to grants supporting long-term school and wellness initiatives.
“This gala is more than an event, it’s a statement about what we believe in as a community,” said Sandra Jordan Branch of Gates County Community Partnership. “When we invest in education and opportunity, we aren’t just helping individual students. We’re strengthening the future of Gates County itself.”
The Saunders Science Scholars – The Catalyst
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s Saunders Science Scholars program is a powerful STEM enrichment and youth development initiative in Gates County, designed to spark curiosity, expand opportunity, and deepen students’ engagement with science through hands-on learning. Named in honor of esteemed local educator Benjamin C. Saunders, Sr., the program stands as both a tribute to his legacy and a bold investment in the county’s future. In addition to working directly with cohorts of students, the program strengthens the broader community through mobile outreach programs, camps, and special events that bring high-quality science engagement to local schools and families.
Morehead and the Saunders Science Scholars program served as the catalyst for the start of Gates County Community Partnership, by providing mentorship and igniting GCCP’s mission to expand perspectives, strengthen educational pathways, and open doors for Gates County’s youth.
A Record of Real Results
Since its founding, Gates County Community Partnership has been key in bringing significant grant funding and programming to Gates County Schools. Among its most notable achievements is playing essential roles in securing two transformational grants: the U.S. Department of Education’s GEAR UP grant and the Obici Healthcare Foundation’s Healthy Behaviors grant.
The GEAR UP program has supported students at Central Middle School and Gates County High School, providing academic enrichment opportunities, college advising, college tours, coaching, and professional development, including the Carnegie Learning Math Program. The Healthy Behaviors grant funded the Athletic Training Facility at Gates County High School, a major investment in student wellness and infrastructure. In a related event, GCCP funded a state-of-the-art VertiMax machine for the training facility through a grant from the organization.
In addition to facilitating major school grants, GCCP has secured funding through its own grant acquisition efforts. Support has come from organizations such as the NC GSK Foundation, Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Burt’s Bees Greater Good Foundation, Sustainable Forestry Land Retention Youth Program, Obici Healthcare Foundation, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, and Blue Cross Blue Shield NC. These resources have powered initiatives focused on college readiness, youth development, community enhancement, and summer camps.
From Laptops to Scholarships – GCCP Keeps It Local and Free
Gates County Community Partnership’s impact is visible across the county. The organization has donated more than 190 new laptops to local students and provided internet access to 15 students, ensuring youth are not left behind in an increasingly digital world.
Their efforts have also strengthened community life beyond the classroom. A successful fundraising drive revitalized youth baseball and softball leagues at the Gates County Community Center, reinforcing the role of sports in mentorship, teamwork, and healthy development. The organization collaborated with the local school system and the county to provide broadband internet access and two large screen televisions. And recently, Gates County Community Partnership chose the center to locate a “chat bench,” which provides a simple yet profound platform for community members to connect, communicate, and support one another.
Perhaps most importantly, GCCP has awarded 31 college scholarships to local graduates, while also frequently providing financial support for students to participate in enrichment activities offered by other organizations.
Through its “Activate Futures” mentoring initiative, GCCP continues to guide students in building leadership skills and preparing for life beyond graduation. The nonprofit also supports college tours and field trips, expanding horizons and making higher education feel attainable for Gates County’s youth.
A Night That Helps Move the County Forward
The upcoming Charity Gala is designed not only to celebrate Gates County Community Partnership’s work, but to raise support for continued programming and expanded opportunities for Gates County’s citizens.
GCCP operates on a firm belief that its services should be offered without cost, ensuring all residents can benefit from its programs regardless of income or other barriers. Its board of directors, made up of individuals with deep roots in Gates County, brings local understanding, professional expertise, and a strong volunteer spirit to the organization’s mission.
The gala’s theme, “Opening Doors, Expanding Horizons,” reflects Gates County Community Partnership’s guiding philosophy: expanding perspectives through education builds empathy, unity, and long-term progress. For those looking for an evening that blends celebration with purpose, and for anyone who believes Gates County’s future is worth investing in, Gates County Community Partnership’s Charity Gala promises a night to remember!
Event Details
Gates County Community Partnership Charity Gala
K. E. White Center, Elizabeth City State University
Saturday, April 4
5:00 p.m.
Dress Code: Black Tie
Tickets: $50
GCCP2026.eventbrite.com