2026-08-18T13:01:36-07:00 2025-12-31 202571677 CORLISS & SOLOMON PLLC 242 CHARLOTTE ST SUITE 1 ASHEVILLE NC 28801 990 2025-01-01 560634513 Highlands Biological Foundation Inc HIGH 8285262221 PO Box 580 Highlands NC 28741 Tom Holmes President 8285262221 2026-08-18 true Todd Oldenburg P02281691 8282360206 2026-08-18 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Tom Holmes 2465 Cashiers Rd Highlands NC 28741 922529 false X https://highlandsbiological.org/foundation/ X 1930 NC To actively promote and support biological research and education in the Southern Appalachians. 29 29 9 40 0 0 1088257 675463 25091 34478 149900 127578 23429 -13039 1286677 824480 121832 112997 0 198886 300590 0 83991 228255 245346 548973 658933 737704 165547 4186217 4660488 7582 5795 4178635 4654693 To actively promote and support biological research and education in the Southern Appalachians. false false 340918 112997 55565 HBF hosts year-round environmental education programming at the Highlands Nature Center (part of the Highlands Biological Station) and throughout the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. In 2025, the Nature Center welcomed over 14,000 visitors - this represents over 14,000 opportunities to teach individuals how crucial the natural ecosystems of the Plateau are, especially for biodiversity, and inspire them to be good stewards of the natural world. The Nature Center attracts local and visiting families who seek nature-related programming and outdoor adventures. Many participate in HBFs highly anticipated nature camps and free, daily educational programs in the summer. HBFs Zahner Conservation Lectures bring in local and visiting adults seeking to learn from scientists, writers, artists, and more. Along with these Nature Center programs, HBF also travels throughout the community to provide Nature on the Go! outreach programs to hundreds of individuals across the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau each year, all thanks to partnerships with local organizations. Additionally, HBF provides crucial funding for scientists and undergraduate/graduate students - residing at the Highlands Biological Station - to conduct research in the region - and ongoing operational support of the Station and Botanical Gardens. 340918 true true false false false false false false false true true false false false false true true false false false false false false false true false false true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 8 0 9 true false false false false false true true false false false false false false X 29 29 true false false false false true false true true false false true true true true true true true true false NC X X Jamie Creola 8285262221 2465 Cashiers Road Highlands NC 28741 Jamie Creola Executive Director 40.00 X 93900 0 18736 Tom Holmes President 3.00 X X 0 0 0 David Martin Vice-President 2.00 X X 0 0 0 Robert Strickland Treasurer 2.00 X X 0 0 0 Lindy Harrison Secretary 2.00 X X 0 0 0 John Mitchner Past President 1.00 X 0 0 0 Lisa Armstrong Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Linda Barlow Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jimmy Bewley Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Bill Bush Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Lisa Dailey Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Ruthie Edwards Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 John Helmer Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Lori Heys Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 James Langford Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Frank Langford Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Leslie Manning Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jim Milby Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Amy Patterson Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Karen Patterson Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Alex Smith Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Catharine Seay Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Carol Stewart Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jennie Stowers Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jonnie Swann Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Charles Tarver Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Keller Torrey Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Gayle Watkins Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Kent Wittman Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Martha Stibbs Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Frances Oakley Board Member (through 6/25/25) 1.00 X 0 0 0 Vernon Skiles Board Member (through 6/25/25) 1.00 X 0 0 0 Melanie Mauldin Board Member (through 6/25/25) 1.00 X 0 0 0 Cathy Jones Board Member (through 6/25/25) 1.00 X 0 0 0 Drew Lanham Board Member (through 6/25/25) 1.00 X 0 0 0 93900 0 18736 false false false 188036 487427 11743 675463 Nature Center Programs 611710 34478 0 0 34478 65224 0 65224 3000 3000 3000 3000 62354 62354 62354 0 0 62354 32690 188036 66816 -34126 0 -34126 49320 31233 18087 18087 824480 55565 0 93452 102947 102947 10050 10050 112636 65466 18022 29148 149458 86868 23913 38677 1087 632 174 281 17298 10054 2768 4476 20111 11664 3218 5229 33621 0 33621 0 26003 0 26003 0 20165 5013 15152 0 495 119 178 198 13922 276 13646 0 11497 85 6745 4667 51496 0 51496 0 2589 1100 1191 298 20267 0 20267 0 7974 0 7729 245 Nature Center Support 26712 26712 0 0 Program Events/Lectures 18975 18975 0 0 ERTC Write Off 6790 0 6790 0 Dues and Subscriptions 2775 827 1176 772 2065 130 1935 0 658933 340918 234024 83991 110758 111219 23765 92000 2884 2944 11226 11226 500 500 1258813 85487 992731 1173326 3044353 3269273 4186217 4660488 7582 5795 7582 5795 X 2775303 3126549 1403332 1528144 4178635 4654693 4186217 4660488 165547 310511 X false true X true false X 0 442858 429666 486640 1088257 675463 3122884 0 0 442858 429666 486640 1088257 675463 3122884 734460 2388424 29587 54694 71554 79054 68224 303113 0 0 3425997 557775 0.69710 0.73820 X 0 0 0 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 272670 16619 48503 36111 301681 242788 1810 36966 8894 272670 235613 7175 242788 290657 -55044 235613 266297 24360 290657 0.34800 0.65200 true false 0 624781 624781 625823 84315 541508 8209 1172 7037 1173326 X 1207037 310511 98049 408560 798477 26003 26003 824480 730979 98049 98049 632930 26003 26003 658933 Pt X, Line 2 The Foundation is exempt from federal income taxes under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the Code, however, income from certain activities not related to the organizations tax-exempt purpose may be subject to taxation as unrelated business income. The organization had no income from unrelated business activities in 2025 and was, therefore, not required to file Federal Form 990-T (Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return). The organization believes that it has appropriate support for all tax positions taken, and as such, does not have any uncertain tax positions that are material to the financial statements. Pt V, Line 4 The purpose of the endowment is to generate investment income to supplement operating funds. Pt XI, Line 2d Fundraising Expenses $66,816; Cost of Goods Sold $31,233. Pt XII, Line 2d Fundraising Expenses $66,816; Cost of Goods Sold $31,233. Summer Soiree 173976 149161 24815 16002 34882 5069 Highlands on the Half Shell 46750 38875 7875 5656 4178 1029 220726 188036 32690 21658 39060 6098 66816 -34126 true WCU Highlands Biological Station 265 N 6th Street Highlands NC 28741 566001440 Governmental Entity 75647 Support to Station UNC Chapel Hill-Inst for the Environment 104 Airport Drive Chapel Hill NC 27599 566001393 Governmental Entity 11500 Educational Programming Macon County Schools 1202 Old Murphy Rd Franklin NC 28734 566001069 Governmental Entity 9850 Educational Programming 3 Research Grants 5 10050 Pt VI, Line 2 Two board members are sisters. Pt VI, Line 7a The organization has members whose rights consist of being able to vote for members of the governing body. Members do not have control over day-to-day governance decisions. However, if there would be significant changes to the organization, such as a merger or dissolution, members may vote on such issues. Pt VI, Line 11b The 990 is prepared by independent accountants, reviewed by management and presented to the Board for review and comment. Pt VI, Line 12c Annually, conflict of interest statements are required to be signed by each Board member. The statements affirm that the policy has been read & either that no conflict of interest exists or discloses any such conflict. Pt VI, Line 15a The compensation for the Executive Director is reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees. Pt VI, Line 15b Compensation is compared to other local non-profits for each position. The Executive Committee and Finance Committee review. Pt VI, Line 18 Forms 1023 and 990 are available upon request. The Form 990s are also available on the organizations website. Pt VI, Line 19 Governing documents, conflict of interest policy and audited financial statements are available upon request.