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Highlands Chamber of Commerce Inc

EIN 56-0713509 · Highlands, NC

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

What it says it does

We strive to enhance and promote economic vitality and quality of life in the Highlands community.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

Annual Experience Guide: 25,000 copies are distributed throughout the Southeastern United States in Welcome Centers, Airports, and businesses. Local distribution is through the Highlands Welcome Center, and local businesses. Copies of the Guide are also mailed nationwide upon request.
Marketing for Chamber Members and other Highlands area businesses include advertisement opportunities through our annual Experience Guide, Facebook with 16,000+ followers, Instagram with nearly 23,000 followers, weekly Community Newsletters with a 54% open rate, monthly Visitor Newsletters with 3,700 recipients and a 63% open rate, and through our Welcome Center with nearly 5,000 annual visitors as well as our website with 4 million impressions.
Experiential Events include a variety of free events throughout the year for residents, visitors and businesses. Events included are High Style featuring the arts from fashion to culinary and everything in between, nearly 50 outdoor concerts, July 4th concert and fireworks, Highlands Heritage Jamboree celebrating local history, Halloween on Main, Light Up the Park and Main to open the holiday season, Highlands Christmas Parade and Santa in the Park as well as Leadership Highlands.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1990.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.