Highland Lakes

What the Goodwill Fund is
When life takes an unexpected turn through death, illness, or another personal catastrophic event, financial hardship, serious financial jeopardy can follow close on its heels. When such events befall a member family in Highland Lakes, that family can anonymously turn to the Goodwill Fund to appeal for assistance with the payment of their dues and assessments for one year.

Why the Goodwill Fund is so important
Payment of annual Club dues is the responsibility of every family that resides in Highland Lakes. Club dues are set each year by the Voting Board, which bases the fee schedule on the Club’s anticipated operating expenses to maintain our lakes, roads, beaches, activities, provide other amenities that are offered to its membership throughout the year, and fund special projects and reserve accounts that are maintained so that the Club can responsibly respond to unexpected emergencies as needed.

Initiated in 2005, the Goodwill Fund holds money in reserve that is raised through membership donations and benefit events organized throughout the year to help qualified member families who are unable to pay their dues. Each year, families that apply and are deemed to meet the guidelines for assistance through this fund are helped thanks to the generosity of so many of their neighbors. Though donations to the Goodwill Fund are not tax deductible, all members who are in a position to contribute are encouraged to do so when they remit their own Club dues.

Goodwill Fund eligibility requirements and application guidelines
Financial hardship alone does not qualify a member to be considered for assistance. Regrettably there are many families who have suffered job losses and/or layoffs that place serious financial burdens on the family. While the situation is difficult, an “economic” event alone does not make one eligible for a Goodwill Fund award.

If, however, you are a member in good standing and have lost a significant amount of your family income due to the death or serious illness of a family member and you are unable to pay your annual Club dues, contact the Club office in writing, c/o the Goodwill Fund. Your request will be confidentially considered by a designated member of the Goodwill Fund and presented anonymously to other committee members. Goodwill Fund committee members evaluate every request with respect to the established criteria and forward their recommendation to the Voting Board who make the final decision in a meeting that is closed to the public. Once a decision is made, the committee coordinator notifies the applicant.