Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Highlands, NC EIN: 56-1165833

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Highlands, North Carolina. It supports projects and programs intended to improve health and well-being in Western North Carolina, with particular emphasis on Highlands, Cashiers, and six neighboring counties.

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc at a glance

In short: Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc gave $1.6M across 45 grants in 2025 (avg $36K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2025)
$1,636,631
+30.2% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
45
+40.6% vs 2024
Average grant
$36,370
-7.4% vs 2024
Median grant
$15,000
Total assets
$35,351,575
+17.6% vs 2024
Primary geography
North Carolina (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated November 2026.

How to apply to Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc

Contact

Mailing address: PO Box 742, Highlands, NC 28714
Phone: (828) 482-6510

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Blue Ridge Community Health Services Inc: $487KBlue Ridge Community HealthServices Inc$487KAdults Working and Advocating for Kids Empowerment (Awake) Inc: $262KAdults Working and Advocatingfor Kids Empowerment (Awake)…$262KCashiers Valley Preschool Inc: $135KCashiers Valley Preschool Inc$135KCounty of Jackson: $50KCounty of Jackson$50KSTAGE4HOPE: $50KSTAGE4HOPE$50KCommunity Care Clinic of Franklin Inc: $45KCommunity Care Clinic ofFranklin Inc$45KChild Medical Collaborative Inc: $40KChild Medical CollaborativeInc$40KVecinos Inc: $40KVecinos Inc$40KWestern Carolina Medical Society Foundation Inc: $39KWestern Carolina MedicalSociety Foundation Inc$39KCommunity Care Clinic of Highlands-Cashiers Inc: $35KCommunity Care Clinic ofHighlands-Cashiers Inc$35K

The largest 2025 recipient was Blue Ridge Community Health Services Inc ($487K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.

Grant Size Distribution

115 grants across all recorded years

89<$50K17$50–100K3$100–250K2$250–500K4$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 89 grants of 115 (77%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Foundation’s stated emphasis is on Macon, Jackson, Swain, Graham, Clay, and Cherokee counties, as well as Highlands, Cashiers, and surrounding communities. All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in North Carolina.

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 45 itemized grants.

Cities

FranklinCashiersHighlandsSylvaBryson CityCashiers NCCullowheeAshevilleHayesvilleHendersonvilleAndrewsFranklin NCHighlands NCRobbinsvilleAsheville NCCherokeeWebsterAlpharettaBrasstownBryson City NC

How Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc gives

  • 45% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 24% from 2022 to 2025. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M27 grants2020 8 grants2021 16 grants2022 14 grants2023 32 grants2024 45 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $954K (2021) to $1.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 45 grants totaling $1.6M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Blue Ridge Community Health Services Inc Hendersonville, NCBRH - HC$487,060
Adults Working and Advocating for Kids Empowerment (Awake) Inc Sylva, NCA Place to Heal$261,873
Cashiers Valley Preschool Inc Cashiers, NCCapital projects - parking lot paving, main entrance enclosure, big room reno continuation, scholarship fund$135,000
County of Jackson Sylva, NCCashiers Community Care Suite$50,000
STAGE4HOPE Alpharetta, GAExpanding cancer access & support in western nc: a highlands-based initiative$50,000
Community Care Clinic of Franklin Inc Franklin, NCExpansion for Primary and Behavioral Health Care$45,000
Child Medical Collaborative Inc Sylva, NCStrengthening access to child abuse medical services in western North Carolina$40,000
Vecinos Inc Franklin, NCRecruitment and Support of New Patients$40,000
Western Carolina Medical Society Foundation Inc Asheville, NCExpanding colorectal cancer screening access in western North Carolina: a community-based initiative for underserved populations$38,640
Community Care Clinic of Highlands-Cashiers Inc Highlands, NCAccess to Primary Care Medical Care$35,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2025$35,351,575$5,774,453$2,457,077$1,636,63145$2,802,173
2024$30,049,741$2,312,067$1,906,024$1,256,79632$1,306,537
2023$28,347,395$3,765,330$2,257,284$1,332,69514$2,313,443
2022$25,403,536$1,718,857$1,919,287$1,317,35516$119,663
2021$30,282,926$7,476,550$1,871,630$954,1408$1,152,747
2020$22,752,654$6,102,687$2,063,198$1,347,50427$391,277

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Foundation’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of all people in Western North Carolina, particularly in Macon, Jackson, Swain, Graham, Clay, and Cherokee counties. Its stated focus areas include health, access to healthcare, and behavioral and mental health.

Its grants include support for healthcare access and services, mental health, child welfare, emergency medical services, and health technology. Among its grantees, Blue Ridge Community Health Services says it provides healthcare regardless of patients’ ability to pay; Child Medical Collaborative says it promotes healing for abused children through specialized medical evaluations; and Western Carolina Medical Society Foundation says it works to address healthcare access, health disparities, wellness, and prevention. Other grantees describe work in youth development, food security, and emergency assistance.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 32 grants totaling $1,256,796. Grant amounts ranged from $7,390 to $533,707, with a median of $15,000. In 2023, it reported 14 grants totaling $1,332,695; in 2022, it reported 16 grants totaling $1,317,355. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 45 grants totaling $1.6 million.

Notable 2024 grants included $533,707 to Blue Ridge Community Health Services, $105,000 to Counseling and Psychotherapy Center of Highlands for behavioral and mental health support related to Hurricane Helene, and $70,000 to Vecinos Farmworker Health Program for Helene relief and care-plan implementation. Other grants included $45,000 to Macon County EMS for medical technology upgrades and community care; $40,000 each to Child Medical Collaborative and Community Care Clinic of Franklin; and $38,000 to Western Carolina Medical Society Foundation for colorectal cancer screening access.

The Foundation’s general grant program is described as currently open. The available program information does not specify an application process, required materials, restrictions, or a deadline.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Barbara Corcoran, MD, as Chair; Patricia Morse as Vice-Chair; and George Manning as Secretary/Treasurer. Directors listed are Brandy Letson, David Moore, Ed Heys, Jerry Hayes, Richard Ellin, MD, Rick Trevathan, and Sean Cronin.

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc is led by Charlotte Muir, Executive Director on every filing since 2024; 2 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Charlotte Muir

    Executive Director

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $109K (2024) → $38K (2025)

  • Myrle Grate

    Executive Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $87K (2025)

  • Barbara Corcoran MD

    Chair

    Vice Chair & Director → Chair, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Richard Ellin MD

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Stephanie Edwards

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jerry Hayes

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Moore

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sean Cronin

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brandy Letson

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ed Heys

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rick Trevathan

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Patricia Morse

    Vice Chair

    Director → Vice Chair & Director, 2022

    Vice Chair & Director → Vice Chair, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • George Manning

    Secretary & Treasurer

    Director → Secretary, 2023

    Secretary → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (12)
  • Former: Robin Tindall (2020–2024) — Executive Director & CEO
  • Former: Jerry Moore (2020–2023) — Treasurer
  • Former: Barrett Hawks (2020–2022) — Secretary & Director
  • Former: Chris Byrd (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Harriet Karro (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Walter Clark (2020–2022) — Retired Chair
  • Former: Ghislaine Austin Belcak (2022) — Director
  • Former: Linda Quick (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: April Tallant (2021) — Director
  • Former: Paul Nowacki (2021) — Director
  • Former: Paul Robshaw (2020) — Director
  • Former: Paul Young (2020) — Treasurer & Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Myrle Grate — Executive Director (Incoming): $87KMyrle GrateExecutive Director (Incoming)$87KCharlotte Muir — Executive Director (Outgoing): $38KCharlotte MuirExecutive Director (Outgoing)$38K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $87K, to Myrle Grate (Executive Director (Incoming)). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc

How much does Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc give each year?

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc gave $1.6M across 45 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 32 grants.

What is Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $36,370, across 45 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Where does Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc give grants?

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Franklin, NC (8 grants), Highlands, NC (7 grants), Sylva, NC (5 grants) and Cashiers, NC (5 grants).

Does Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 45 grants with a stated purpose on Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.

Who are Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Blue Ridge Community Health Services Inc ($487,060), Adults Working and Advocating for Kids Empowerment (Awake) Inc ($261,873) and Cashiers Valley Preschool Inc ($135,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc?

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc reported $35.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.8M.

What does Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc fund?

The Foundation’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of all people in Western North Carolina, particularly in Macon, Jackson, Swain, Graham, Clay, and Cherokee counties. Its stated focus areas include health, access to healthcare, and behavioral and mental health. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc?

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc's EIN?

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1165833. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(7)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 31, 2026)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 29, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 1, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 15, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 10, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/highlands-cashiers-health-foundation-inc-morg_5dfbeae42e54423f827503bf083dd1c0

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_561165833_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/highlands-cashiers-health-foundation-inc-morg_5dfbeae42e54423f827503bf083dd1c0},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-11-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

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