Sustain SC awards second round of grants through Land and Water Action Platform
December 4, 2025
Sustain SC has announced the second round of grants awarded through its Land and Water Action Platform (LAWAP), advancing conservation projects across South Carolina in partnership with the state’s business community. In this round, LAWAP awarded $159,707 across eight projects spanning seven counties. Recipient organizations include Aiken Land Conservancy, Edisto Open Land Trust, Hitchcock Woods Foundation, Katawba Valley Land Trust and Upstate Forever.
Funding will help cover real estate expenses that are often difficult to fund yet critical to moving conservation land deals forward. In total, these awards will help protect 2,628 acres of land and water across South Carolina. The Grants Review Committee completed its review process on October 16. Award recipients were notified on October 21, and funds were disbursed during the week of November 17. “The development of the Land and Water Action Platform is channeling corporate investment into high-impact projects that will protect critical landscapes while supporting long-term economic resilience for our state,” said Trip Chavis, President and CEO of Milliken Advisors, Sustain SC Board Member and LAWAP Grants Review Committee Chair.
In 2025, Sustain SC raised $325,000 toward the Platform and has awarded $252,900 across 12 projects spanning 11 counties and seven recipient organizations. In total, these funds have helped protect 13,305 acres of land and water in SC. “In just one year, the Land and Water Action Platform has helped protect more than 13,000 acres of land and water across South Carolina,” said Leslie Skardon, CEO of Sustain SC. “These grants reflect what can happen when companies invest in conservation. We’re proud of the impact LAWAP has made in its first year — and of the foundation it’s laying for long-term resilience in our state.”
The Land and Water Action Platform was re-launched in April 2025, followed by the announcement of the Grants Review Committee in June. Sustain SC extends its gratitude to the Committee members for their leadership and service throughout this process.
Through initiatives like the Land and Water Action Platform, Sustain SC continues to demonstrate that economic growth and environmental stewardship can work together to ensure a resilient future for South Carolina’s economy, environment and people.
As we look ahead to 2026, Sustain SC invites companies and partners to consider a gift to the Land and Water Action Platform as part of their year-end giving. An investment in LAWAP is a lasting gift to South Carolina — helping protect the lands and waters that sustain our communities as our state continues to grow. To learn more about supporting LAWAP, visit www.sustainsouthcarolina.org/
About Sustain SC
Sustain SC is an economic development-driven organization that connects the sustainability goals of businesses in South Carolina with local solutions for the benefit of our economy, environment and people.
