NC State WR KC Concepcion gives back to community through new foundation
KC Concepcion emerged as a college football superstar last fall. His national profile rose as he racked up more than 1,000 total yards, won the ACC’s Rookie of Year Award and took home freshman All-American honors.
As he became more and more famous, the Wolfpack receiver came up with a plan to use his platform to give back. The NC State sophomore launched the “KC Concepcion Foundation” this summer— a nonprofit organization that will organize a variety of charitable events.
From gathering school supplies before the fall to toy drives during the holiday season, the Wolfpack star has plans to give back to the Charlotte and Raleigh communities. Concepcion is contributing his own NIL money to start this foundation, his mother Arriel Concepcion told TheWolfpacker.com.
“It’s been in the talks ever since the season I had last year,” KC Concepcion said.
Over the weekend, the KC Concepcion Foundation worked with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, providing lunches to ESCAPE campers— a free program for children in the Charlotte area.
“We brought pizzas,” KC Concepcion said. “We just want to help as much as possible in both communities— Raleigh, Charlotte and later on to everywhere across the country.”
The foundation will sponsor tickets 25 AAU basketball athletes and coaches to NC State’s game against Tennessee in September. They will also host a tailgate event for those attending the event and their parents.
Giving back has always been a part of Concepcion’s character. He grew up happy to assist those in need, helping out children, the homeless population and anyone else in any way he could as a kid. Arriel Concepcion explained that kindness towards the youth comes naturally to KC. He grew up as the oldest sibling.
“His brothers look up to him, and he kind of tries to show them the way, give them advice and be there for them when they need it,” Arriel Concepcion said.
On the field, the receiver shouldered the bulk of the load for NC State’s offense last fall, catching 71 passes for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns. He led the team in receiving and finished second on the squad with 320 rushing yards. Kids all over the country look up to the ACC Rookie of the Year..
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Concepcion made a tremendous impact on NC State’s 2024 season as a freshman. Now, he’s trying to make his mark in the community. His mother, former high school coach Chris Hawk, aunt Paula Miller, mentor Tony Cuthberston and trainer Gary Green will all form a board to help run the organization.
“We are in our beginning stages,” Arriel Concepcion said. “We are getting started. We plan to stick around for the long haul and just be an inspiration to kids, [while] also just giving back and helping families that are in need. KC comes from a household where we just have a big heart, and we try to give to those that we can.”
Later this year, Concepcion will help host a “trunk or treat” for kids in the area around Halloween. He will participate in this event because it’s scheduled for NC State’s bye week, and the receiver plans on attending any others that he can make it to around the Pack’s football schedule.
“Ever since I was young, I just always had the tendency to give back to the community,” Concepcion said.
The foundation will organize a back to school drive soon and, around Christmas time, Concepcion said they plan on buying a bunch of food and toys before donating them to shelters. The Wolfpack star wants to make a difference that extends well beyond his football career.
“Honestly, I just want to build something that I can pass on to my kids, and I can pass off to my family,” Concepcion said. “I want to make this a nationwide thing so that we can just help everywhere and we can help out communities in every city.”
