As of July 2026
Total of contributions and pledges toward our goal of $3+ million
is $2,943,784
Look at the Milestone you achieved!
Thank you for making a difference!
Roots & Wings
A Capital Campaign to Nurture & Expand
Join this Capital Campaign
The Mountain thrives by embracing Unitarian Universalist values through its inspirational programs, environmental care, and justice commitments. To insure the future of this legacy it is time to make a generational investment in The Mountain. The capital campaign team estimates the need to raise $3+ million to meet our project goals.
The results of this capital campaign will support the needs of people, programs, and infrastructure by maintaining what already exists and building upon it.
Please join us in this exciting opportunity to maintain The Mountain’s roots and spread its wings by making a meaningful financial pledge to the Roots & Wings capital campaign!
The Capital Campaign Goals
The Roots & Wings capital campaign supports projects that will serve current and future needs of people, programs, and infrastructure.
Serving People
The Mountain welcomes people of all ages and abilities. To increase the quality and accessibility of our guest housing, structural repairs, electrical upgrades, ventilation improvements, and other improvements are needed.
And with a concern for economic justice due to the high cost of living in the Highlands area, we must provide affordable staff housing to attract and retain qualified professionals.
Enhancing Programs
We’ll honor our historic roots by maintaining aging buildings that have supported time-honored programs for children and youth, religious professionals, congregational retreats, and many non-profits aligned with our Unitarian Universalist values, such as WomenSpirit and Gay Spirit Vision.
We’ll spread our wings by creating new and improved spaces to meet a variety of new and existing program needs—complete with reliable internet and audio-visual presentation technologies.
Supporting Infrastructure
To continue meeting the needs of people and programs, we must invest in significant infrastructural upgrades. In recent years, the state of North Carolina has raised its environmental impact codes.
The lake dam and septic systems need urgent structural repairs or upgrades to meet state codes. And several building roofs, flooring, and other structural repairs are needed, such as for the Kitchen, Dining Hall, Tower, and Office.
A Mountain of Giving
What level of gift can you commit to that is personally meaningful and will help The Mountain reach its goal? This chart shows a sample number of gifts needed in each financial range to fulfill our goal of $3+ million.
Frequently Asked Questions
The capital campaign is a unique event to raise major funds for a generational investment enabling program expansion and improved guest and staff experiences.
The annual campaign supports only 25% of day-to-day operations; registration fees cover 75% of program expenses.
Special projects, like MountainCamp scholarships, Craft Barn renovation, or the greenhouse are supported by donations and grants outside of the annual campaign gifts.
The Endowment Fund is to ensure long-term fiscal viability of The Mountain, with an annual gift to The Mountain representing a small percentage of the fund.
The capital campaign goal is $3.2+ million. We remain a viable institution by building upon our successes, which is vital in order to expand programming and enhance staff and guest experience.
Annual fund donations are critical to support day-to-day operations. The capital campaign investments are restricted for specific projects. We will joyfully accept contributions to both!
December 30, 2026 is the official end of the Capital Campaign, it will be most helpful to receive all contributions by then in order to complete planned projects.
To discuss specific arrangements, please contact Paula Kee, Capital Campaign Manager at capital.campaign@themountainrlc.org or Beverly Cree, Director of Mountain Advancement, development@themountainrlc.org.
We continue accepting pledges, to The Mountain’s Capital Campaign, with fulfillment by December 30, 2026.
Your payment to The Mountain, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, can be in cash, stock transfer, or required minimum distributions (RMD) from a retirement account. Contact us about other options.
Honorary Steering Committee
Laurel Amabile, Bruce Kirkman, Erin Thompson, Larry Wheeler
Contact Us
Paula Kee, Capital Campaign Manager – capital.campaign@themountainrlc.org
KC Boyce, Capital Campaign Committee Chair – kc@boycecompany.com
Email: Development@themountainrlc.org
Mail: The Mountain Capital Campaign, Box 1299, Highlands, NC 28741-1299
