FAQs

The Highland Area Community Foundation is a not-for-profit, tax exempt, publicly supported institution organized and operated for the long term benefit of the greater Highland area. Its primary function is to accept donated and bequeathed funds, invest those funds and distribute the interest as grants to charitable organizations, projects, and needs in the Highland community. It also provides philanthropic leadership by taking the initiative to sponsor or coordinate important charitable endeavors that will improve the quality of life for residents of the community.

It is governed by a board of 15 area residents chosen to be representative of the public interest, for their knowledge of community needs, and for their independence from any government or other not-for-profit influence. Up to two additional board members may be appointed by the Executive Committee per the Bylaws.

Funds are contributed or bequeathed to the Foundation by individuals, corporations, organizations, and families. These gifts and bequests help to make up the permanent endowment of the Foundation.

Grants are made for charitable purposes in the areas of health and human services, arts and culture, education, religion, civic affairs, recreation, community development, environment, conservation, and others.

The Highland Area Community Foundation is classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, it is provisionally classified as a publicly supported organization (public charity) under Section 509(a)(1).

Donors can make donations, memorials, or honorariums to any existing fund, give to the Fund for Public Giving, become a Sustaining Member, give to the Administrative/Operations Fund, give to the Recreation Center Operations Fund, or create a fund tailored to meet their specific needs and interests. Donors may also become “Future Builders” by advising the Foundation in writing of their decision to make a planned gift – either through a will or as beneficiary of an insurance policy – to the Foundation upon their demise. Future Builder gifts can be designated for a specific purpose or for the Foundation’s Fund for Public Giving.

The Fund for Public Giving is an unrestricted component fund of the Foundation's permanent endowment fund. Gifts of any size may be given to this fund. Interest from the Fund for Public Giving is used to make a variety of grants addressing community needs.

Unrestricted, Field of Interest, Designated, Donor Advised, Pass Through, and Future Builders funds may be created, depending on the donor’s charitable interests. The minimum contribution to create a permanent fund is $10,000, and it may be given over a period of ten years. Created funds become part of the Foundation’s permanent endowment and may be named or remain anonymous.

The Foundation may accept gifts of cash, stocks and securities, real estate, and miscellaneous items of value.

In addition to direct gifts, other methods include life insurance, wills, gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable lead trusts.

In general, the boundaries of the Highland Community School District #5, plus Marine Township, St. Jacob Township, Village of St. Rose, and St. Rose Township represent the area served by the Foundation.

The Highland Area Community Foundation functions differently from all other not-for-profit agencies in the area. It is inclusive in addressing all the charitable needs of the area. The Foundation holds gifts in perpetuity and disperses the income – preserving the capital and building an endowment to benefit the Foundation’s service area for generations to come.