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
mountain fog
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 $2.4 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

Purchase Tickets To Our Summer Party

Tickets are $100 per person, $40 is tax deductible.

Purchase Tickets

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
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.