LIFT Grants

The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation offers the 2026 LIFT Grants to support initiatives that improve the health and well-being of residents in Highlands, Cashiers, and surrounding communities in North Carolina. As a community-focused philanthropic organization, the Foundation leverages its grantmaking to partner with nonprofit and governmental organizations delivering transformative and sustainable solutions to critical health challenges. Funding from the Foundation typically ranges between $10,000 and $50,000 per project, with awards tailored to the scope, impact, and mission alignment of each initiative. The 2026 LIFT Grants emphasize three strategic priorities: Access to Primary Care, Access to Behavioral Health, and the Well-being of Infants, Children, and Adolescents. Eligible projects may include those expanding access to primary health services, increasing the availability of behavioral health and substance use support, or addressing childhood trauma, abuse prevention, or early childhood development. Organizations with innovative approaches are especially encouraged to apply, including those that bring fresh perspectives or propose collaborative models with shared community goals. Grants are available to public charities recognized under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1, 2, or 3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as to private government units undertaking public-purpose projects. Tribal organizations are also eligible. Applicants must focus their efforts within specific geographic areas: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, Swain Counties, and the Qualla Boundary. Projects falling outside these areas or those with political or lobbying purposes are not eligible for funding. Additionally, the Foundation does not accept multi-year funding proposals. The 2026 application cycle follows a two-step process. The Pre-Application period runs from March 24 to April 24, during which organizations must submit an initial proposal through the Foundation’s Applicant and Grantee Portal. Proposals are reviewed by the Programs & Grants Committee. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a Full Grant Application between June 1 and June 30. Final funding decisions are made by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, with notifications delivered in September. Applications are managed through the Foundation’s centralized Applicant and Grantee Portal, a system launched in 2025 to streamline access and submission for current and prospective grantees. Returning applicants already familiar with the portal may continue using it to manage applications and requirements. Organizations with active grants from before 2025 must use the Legacy Grantee Portal for reporting. Applicants with technical questions are encouraged to contact the Foundation at [email protected]. All applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ET on their respective deadlines. The Foundation emphasizes clarity and alignment with its strategic priorities in all proposals and encourages applicants to engage in collaborative efforts to enhance regional health outcomes.