Mountain Findings is a community thrift store in Highlands that recently distributed $369,000 to 31 local non-profit organizations serving the needs of the Plateau.
Earlier this year, another $50,000 of the store’s earnings went for scholarships for graduating seniors at Highlands High School. Taken together, these contributions represent 90 percent of the store’s 2024 earnings.
With no payroll or mortgage, Mountain Findings’ 65 volunteers turned their sweat equity into grants that
strengthen the Highlands-Cashiers, NC community, especially for the economically distressed or disadvantaged, including animals.
“We receive hundreds of lightly used items each week,” said Mtn. Findings Board President Jill Helmer. “Our volunteers sort, clean, and price the items quickly and efficiently. Those items with high appeal are posted to the Mountain Findings Facebook page each Wednesday, showing shoppers what’s available and building excitement for Thursday’s opening.”
To learn more about Mountain Findings, click HERE.
Mountain Findings assists organizations in the following areas:
Human welfare
Youth Enrichment
Conservation and the Environment
Animal welfare
Cultural Enrichment
Civic engagement
Public Safety
The 2024 grant recipients include:
Appalachian Animal Rescue Center
Appalachian Wildlife Refuge
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of WNC
Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic
Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau
Carpe Diem Farms
Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society
Community Care Clinic of Highlands-Cashiers
Counseling Center of Highlands
Glenville Cashiers Rescue Squad
Highlands Emergency Council
International Friendship Center
Highlands Historical Society
PAC Educational Theatre
Highlands Plateau Greenway
Highlands School Athletic Booster Club
Highlands School Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Highlands School Parent-Teacher Organization
Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival
Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust
Highlands Cashiers Players
Literacy and Learning Center
Magnolia Mission
Mainspring Conservation Trust
PAWSITIVE Shelter Volunteers of Macon County
Peggy Crosby Community Service Center
REACH of Macon County
Sky Valley-Scaly Mountain Volunteer Fire & Rescue
The Gordon Center for Children
Town of Highlands Recreation Department
Wreaths Across America, Highlands