Affiliate Funds
Black Mountain - Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund Cashiers Community Fund The Fund for Haywood County Highlands Community Fund The McDowell Endowment The Fund for Mitchell County Rutherford County Endowment Transylvania Endowment The Yancey Fund
Women for Women
Browse Affiliates Funds
Black Mountain - Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund Cashiers Community Fund The Fund for Haywood County Highlands Community Fund The McDowell Endowment The Fund for Mitchell County Rutherford County Endowment Transylvania Endowment The Yancey Fund
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Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Creating a lasting resource

The Highlands Community Fund seeks to inspire philanthropy and strengthen charitable organizations serving the Highlands community. This endowment fund was established in 1996 by caring individuals who recognized the importance of a permanent charitable resources to support changing needs and opportunities.

Contributions made to the Highlands Community Fund are pooled and invested by The Community Foundation. Proceeds from the investments are used to make grants while the original gifts remain intact, continuing to grow for the benefit of future generations. You can make a difference in Highlands by making a tax-deductible gift of cash, securities or other assets.

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Kids in front of Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau Highlands
About

The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau was awarded $10,000 to provide intensive, individualized reading support to students with significant learning challenges. Photo courtesy of Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau
Celebrate 30 Years With Us

Summer Party

The Summer Party is a sophisticated gathering of community members to benefit the Highlands Community Fund, an affiliate fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC).

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026

Time: 5:00 - 7:00pm

Location: Hudson House at the Highlands Country Club

Address: 981 Dillard Road, Highlands, NC 28741

This summer's event is to celebrate 30 years of the Highlands Community Fund. We will have photos and highlights from our three decades of philanthropy serving Highlands.

Funds raised by the Highlands Community Fund since the event began in 2015 have been added to an endowment fund that has grown to over $3 million to-date. The investment income from this endowment is used annually to provide grant support for nonprofits that serve the Highlands community.  Last year’s Rise and Shine event raised nearly $70,000 thanks to the generosity of our community. Last fall, the Fund was able to award 14 grants totaling $105,605.

If you have any questions, please contact chair Colleen Kerrigan at (615) 400-5498

Summer Party

RSVP and Tickets

Let us know you plan to attend our event!

Tickets are required for entry and can be purchased at the link below or by mailing a check to:

CFWNC
4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Suite 300
Asheville, NC 28803
Memo: HCF Special Fund

For wire or securities transfer information, please contact:
Laura Herndon
herndon@cfwnc.org
828-367-9900

Tickets are $100

*Note: The charitable deduction for your gift is limited to the amount paid over the fair market value of goods and/or services provided. The estimated value of goods and services for each person who attends the event is $60.00. Please check with your financial or legal advisor to determine deductibility for your individual circumstances.

**Note: The IRS requires that no goods or services can be received from donations from donor advised funds or charitable foundations. If your donation is from a donor advised fund or foundation, tickets to the event must be purchased separately.

Buy Tickets Online

RSVP

Enter the full name(s) of the person(s) attending
Enter the email you would like your confirmation sent to
Optional
Please indicate how many will be in your party
Any additional information you would like to provide
Thank you for your generosity

Summer Party Sponsors

Sponsorship Levels

$10,000 - Archangels (10 tickets)

$5,000 - Angels (6 tickets)

$2,500 - Stewards (4 tickets)

$1,200 - Patrons (2 tickets)

Angels

Jane Webb

 

Stewards

Tom and Phyllis Davis

Ann Klamon

Malvern Hills Properties LLC

Catherine and George Manning 

Heath Massey and John Mitchener

Diane and James Riddle

Patrons

Laura and Greg Alby

Lisa and Brad Armstrong

Lynn Devault and Glo Ghegan

Bill and Lisa Douglas

Tom and Anna Guffey

Florence Holmes

Colleen Kerrigan

Mary and Harry Kinard

David and Libby Lanier

M. David Moore and Darren Whatley 

Geoffrey and Jane Nixon

Will and Missy Reynolds

Charley and Susan Tarver

The Bruce and Emilie Reid Family Foundation Inc.

Thank you attendees and sponsors!

Rise and Shine 2025

Our summer brunch was a great success and raised over $67,000 to support grantmaking in Highlands. Thank you to the Jackson County Junior Appalachian Musicians Program for such a wonderful performance.

 

Photos courtesy of Susan B. Photography.

How you can get involved

  • Join our mailing list to stay informed about our work.
  • Nonprofit organizations and public institutions may apply to the Highlands Community Fund for support. Review the guidelines and application information for Highlands Community Fund Grants for more details.
  • Join people like you who love the Highlands region and want the best for our communities.

Want to know more?

Contact Melissa Edgington
Development Associate
828-367-9917

Email Melissa