Rally Your Community. Support Your Charity. Make an Impact.

The 2026 Highlands Charity Challenge brings together seven local nonprofit organizations and the communities that support them for a celebration of giving, connection and impact.

Highlands is committing $15,000 in awards, with every participating organization guaranteed to receive at least $500.

Now it's your turn to make an impact.

Choose Your Charity & Show Your Support

Select the participating organization you'd like to support and make a donation of any amount. Your donation supports the charity you select, and each individual donor counts as one People's Choice vote — regardless of donation amount.

Whether you give $10 or $1,000, your support matters.

$15,000 in Challenge Awards

In addition to the funds raised directly by each organization, participating charities will compete for three Highlands Charity Challenge awards:

PEOPLE'S CHOICE — 50%
Awarded to the charity that rallies the greatest number of individual donors. Each donor counts as one vote, regardless of donation amount.

BIGGEST TURNOUT — 25%
Awarded to the charity that brings the greatest number of supporters out to Highlands on October 11, 2026 the final day of the Charity Challenge. Supporters are encourage to meet at 1:30 p.m. ET just outside the Fan Zone next to vendor village for a group photo for judges.

SOCIAL IMPACT — 25%
Awarded to the charity that generates the greatest social participation during the Challenge. To participate, supporters must post on social media and tag @highlandshudsonvalley with your charity’s designated Charity Challenge hashtag (#HCCAngelsofLight, #HCCPonyUp, etc.). Each qualifying feed post or reel counts as one point toward your organization’s Social Impact total. Stories, likes, comments and shares are not included in the final count.

And no one walks away empty-handed: every participating charity is guaranteed at least $500 from the Highlands Charity Challenge Award Pool.

Your Charity. Your Community. Your Impact.

Choose the organization that matters to you and make your gift today.

SUPPORT YOUR CHARITY

MEET THE PARTICIPATING CHARITIES

Angels of Light

Supporting Hudson Valley children and families facing life-threatening illnesses and other life-altering circumstances through financial, practical and emotional assistance when they need it most.

Social Impact Hashtag: #HCCAngelsofLight

Millbrook Early Childhood Education Center (MECEC)

Providing high-quality early childhood education to children in Millbrook and surrounding communities, with a commitment to making preschool accessible to local families regardless of financial means.

Social Impact Hashtag: #HCCMECEC

Pony Up Rescue Collective

Improving lives through hands-on horse rescue, Pony Up rescues and rehabilitates horses and ponies at risk of slaughter while creating meaningful opportunities for people to build skills, connections and community through hands-on equine experiences.

Social Impact Hashtag: #HCCPonyUp

Vibrant Emotional Health

Helping people achieve mental and emotional well-being through crisis support, community programs, advocacy, education and innovative mental health services.

Social Impact Hashtag: #HCCVibrant

The Good Dog Foundation

Harnessing the powerful bond between people and dogs to promote healing and learning by training, certifying and deploying therapy dog teams in hospitals, schools, senior communities and other settings.

Social Impact Hashtag: #HCCGoodDog

The Piston Foundation

Fueling the next generation of automotive craftspeople by providing scholarships, training opportunities and career pathways for young people pursuing skilled-trade careers in collector car restoration and service.

Social Impact Hashtag: #HCCPistonFoundation

Amenia Fire Department

Supporting local first responders and the men and women who serve their communities through emergency response and public safety.

Social Impact Hashtag: #HCCAmeniaFD

Lucky Orphans

Providing lifelong sanctuary for rescued horses while creating meaningful opportunities for people to heal, learn and connect through ground-based equine experiences, education and community programs.

Social Impact Hashtag: #HCCLuckyOrphans

2026 Highlands Charity Challenge

Local Charities. $15,000 in Awards. One Community.