Land and Water Action Platform
Empowering sustainable land conservation projects.
Protecting South Carolina’s natural heritage is vital to preserving the state’s rich biodiversity, clean water sources and resilient ecosystems.
From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Lowcountry marshes, South Carolina is home to an array of abundant, diverse natural resources. This is one of the reasons so many people want to do business here and call our state home.
South Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the nation and is projected to double in population during the next 50 years. This is why Sustain SC and our corporate members are acting now to provide a new source of funding, the Land and Water Action Platform, to be the the primary corporate funding source for land conservation in South Carolina.
Carolina Wren, South Carolina's state bird.
Investing in land and water conservation across South Carolina safeguards the environment while strengthening local economies and communities.
Sustain SC’s Land and Water Action Platform enables nonprofit organizations who conserve land and public agencies who manage land to:
✔ Protect critical lands
✔ Preserve scenic vistas
✔ Maintain healthy watersheds
✔ Ensure access to green spaces for future generations.
By overcoming financial barriers to land protection, these investments help preserve the natural beauty and ecological integrity of South Carolina for years to come.
2025 Grant Application Cycle
Round 1 Quarterly Applications close June 30, 2025.
Applicants will be notified about awards the week of August 8, 2025.
Round 2 Quarterly Applications close on September 30, 2025.
Applicants will be notified about awards the week of October 20, 2025.
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Not-for-profit organizations with a mission focused on land conservation.
State or federally recognized Tribes and Indigenous-led not-for-profit organizations.
Public agencies:
While public agencies are not eligible to apply for project costs, Sustain SC welcomes proposals that include partnerships with public sector entities.
Public agencies are eligible to apply for funding for land management/stewardship start-up costs for fee lands.
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To be eligible for a LAWAP grant, projects must meet the following requirements:
Service Area: Project must be located within South Carolina.
Focus Areas: Projects must rank as medium to high on the SC Conservation Bank’s Conservation Priority Map, updated in 2024. If the project is not aligned with the Conservation Priority Map, the applicant may provide how the project aligns with other core values noted below.
Project Feasibility. The overall feasibility of each prospective conservation project will be considered, and potential challenges identified and assessed.
Threats. A description of the threat level of the property will be provided.
Conservation Value Impact:
Native forest ecosystems with preference provided for Longleaf Pine forests, Southern Blue Ridge forests and Bottomland hardwoods
Streams and associated wetlands
Diverse ecosystems with preference given to projects that include Federal, State and/or Local priority plant and animal species habitat
Farmland
Viewsheds
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Applications and other documentation will be submitted through an online portal on Sustain SC’s website.
Map(s) of property uploaded with the following required information:
County, tax map number
SC Conservation Bank priority ranking
Conservation Values Map highlighting conservation values listed above
Budget outlining costs for project expenses and other funding sources.
Once funds have been dispersed, quarterly written check-ins will occur about project progress until the land project is completed. The Grants Review Committee will have the discretion to review the project feasibility status and request funds to be reimbursed if the project is unlikely to be completed in a realistic timeframe.
Sustain SC will provide a reporting template for awarded projects for grantee to complete and submit to Sustain SC for long-term tracking purposes.
Questions about the grant applications?
Please contact the VP of Conservation, Kristen Austin Gunter at Kristen@Sustainsouthcarolina.org
Thank you to our generous donors:
BECOME AN INVESTOR
By becoming a LAWAP contributor, you play a direct role in protecting South Carolina’s most treasured natural landscapes for future generations. Your support helps remove financial barriers to critical conservation projects that preserve wildlife habitats, clean water and public green spaces across the state.