The Highlands Community Fund is pleased to announce ten grants totaling $37,200 in grants to local nonprofit organizations supporting programs benefitting the Highlands community and residents. The Mildred Miller Fort Charitable Fund also supports grantmaking in Highlands.
“The Highlands Community Fund is here to support nonprofits by providing local dollars for local programs,” said Advisory Board Chair Jim Landon. “Especially now, when the COVID-19 pandemic is changing demands on organizations, these permanent charitable resources devoted to supporting Highlands nonprofits are crucial. These awards are possible because people who care about this community built a fund over time and are continuing to build it to help in challenging situations. These grants support important community organizations as they continue the work we all depend on them to do.”
The 2020 grants are:
Advance Highlands Education Committee was awarded $1,500 to address technology needs at Highlands School.
Blue Ridge Mountains Health Project was awarded $5,000 to provide emergency dental care to Highlands-area residents.
Community Care Clinic of Highlands-Cashiers was awarded $4,000 for staffing and technology needs related to the use of electronic health records.
Counseling and Psychotherapy Center of Highlands was awarded $5,000 to supplement fees for individuals, families and couples who cannot afford to pay.
Highlands Community Child Development Center was awarded $1,200 to purchase cleaning supplies and personal protection equipment to meet COVID-related rules and regulations issued by NC DHHS.
Highlands Emergency Council was awarded $5,000 for its fuel fund that assists low-income community members with heating needs.
International Friendship Center was awarded $5,000 for its food pantry that serves the immigrant population, as well as local indigent families and individuals, many of whom are disabled, unemployed, underemployed, or retired.
Literacy Council of Highlands was awarded $5,000 to support two free afterschool programs.
Pisgah Legal Services was awarded $4,000 for free civil legal assistance and advocacy for low-income people who live and work in and around Highlands.
REACH of Macon County was awarded $1,500 to provide outreach related to elder abuse and human trafficking.
The Highlands Community Fund, a CFWNC affiliate fund, is a permanently endowed fund designed to meet local needs. Tax-deductible gifts are added to the principal, which is preserved and invested. The returns are used to make grants to support nonprofits in Highlands. Since 1996, the Highlands Community Fund, in partnership with CFWNC, has awarded grants totaling more than $966,000. Organizations interested in applying to the Highlands Community Fund should review the guidelines and application instructions.
The local volunteer Advisory Board works to raise awareness of the Highlands Community Fund and to build assets for the future. These board members are: Lisa Armstrong, Anne Bailey, Gayle Cummings, Melissa Delany, Gerry Doubleday, Ann Klamon, Jim Landon (Chair), George Manning, Jeff Nixon, Diane Riddle, Jim Stokes, Cindy Trevathan and Jeff Weller.
To make a tax-deductible contribution to the Fund, donate online or by mail to Highlands Community Fund, P.O. Box 1150, Highlands, NC 28741-1150. Checks should be made payable to CFWNC, noting Highlands Community Fund in the memo line. Contributions of any size are welcome and will enable the Fund to support more programs with local dollars.
For additional information about the Highlands Community Fund, contact Advisory Board Chair Jim Landon at 404-434-0932.