Little Swiss Fund announces grant awards to Highland County nonprofits
The 2025 Little Swiss Fund grant awards will distribute a total of $589,197 to 18 nonprofit organizations serving Highland County.
The fund began in 2018 with a $10 million gift from an anonymous donor. Monies from the permanently endowed fund are annually invested and distributed to eligible 501 (c)(3) organizations through a competitive grant process managed by The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham.
Organizations must be physically located in Highland County, Va., and the project or program to be funded must serve the Highland County area. Religious organizations are welcome to apply. Nonprofit organizations must have annual revenues in excess of $25,000 to be eligible.
All grants will be awarded in November/December 2025.
The next Little Swiss Grant cycle begins in the summer of 2026.
Click here to view the 2025 Community Grant awards for organizations in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
| Organization | Project | Award Amount |
| Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance | James River Headwaters Protection: Cowpasture River monitoring and expansion of programming to the Jackson River watershed | $15,000 |
| Allegheny Mountain Institute | Education and community engagement around ecology and healthy foods | $15,000 |
| Blue Grass Resource Center | Highland Inn Renovation Project | $70,000 |
| Bolar Volunteer Fire Department | General operating expenses | $20,000 |
| Bolar Volunteer Rescue Squad | Operating costs |
$16,000
|
| Dare To Dream Therapeutic Horsemanship Center | Facility and horse care expenses | $15,000 |
| Elegius Mini Equine Sanctuary | Operating costs (veterinary care, farrier, feed, etc.) | $10,000 |
| Highland Children’s House | Payroll expenses | $80,000
|
| Highland County Arts Council | Operations expenses; salaries for two new part-time positions in programming/events and marketing/operations | $15,000 |
| Highland County Fair Association | Operating costs (programming, entertainment, and marketing related to 75th anniversary event) | $50,000 |
| Highland County Humane Society, Inc. | General operating costs | $45,000 |
| Highland County Volunteer Fire Department | New building at Blue Grass firehouse | $15,000 |
| Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad | Support for Quick Response Vehicle unit and training expenses | $50,000 |
| Highland Historical Society | Mansion House structural repairs | $20,000 |
| Highland Medical Center | Purchase of flu and COVID-19 vaccines and related supplies | $40,000 |
| McDowell Volunteer Fire Department | New tanker truck and new equipment | $50,000 |
| The Highland Center | Operating costs | $50,000 |
| Little Swiss Educational Fund | new scholarship for Highland High School students and alumni | $13,157 |
Organizations must be tax-exempt public charities under IRS Section 501(c)3 or other nonprofit status. Organizations must be physically located in Highland County, Va., and the project or program to be funded must serve the Highland County area. Religious organizations are welcome to apply. Nonprofit organizations must have annual revenues in excess of $25,000 to be eligible. Local clubs (civic and otherwise), and recreational facilities are NOT eligible to apply.
