Sustain SC is pleased to introduce the members of the newly formed Grants Review Committee for its Land and Water Action Platform (LAWAP), a re-launched conservation funding initiative first unveiled at their Conservation Summit in April.
LAWAP’s mission is to connect corporate investment with tangible conservation outcomes across South Carolina by creating a private-sector fund to accelerate conservation land deals. Sustain SC aims to raise $500,000 for LAWAP this year and has already reached the halfway mark thanks to early investments from corporate partners including Atlantic Packaging, Primo Brands, Norfolk Southern, Google and AFL.
LAWAP Grants Review Committee Members:
· Wes Carter, President, Atlantic Packaging
· Trip Chavis, President & CEO, Milliken Advisors
· Robert Etheridge, President, Mixon Seed Service
· Mike Napolitan, Natural Resources Manager, Primo Brands
· Dale Threatt‑Taylor, Executive Director, The Nature Conservancy
· Maria Whitehead, Senior Vice President of Land, Open Space Institute
· Norris Thigpen, Director of Agribusiness Development, SC Dept. of Agriculture (Ex-Officio)
· Jennifer Howard, Executive Director, SC Land Trust Network (Ex-Officio)
· Raleigh West, Executive Director, SC Conservation Bank (Ex-Officio)
The Committee will ensure transparency, equity and alignment with LAWAP’s strategic goals as it reviews and awards grants to nonprofit organizations focused on land and water conservation across South Carolina.
Applying for LAWAP grants:
· Round 1 Deadline: June 30, 2025 – Awards will be announced in early August. Applications received after June 30 will be considered in the second round.
· Round 2 Deadline: September 30, 2025 – Awards to be finalized by late October.
Nonprofit organizations based in South Carolina focused on land conservation are encouraged to apply. Applicants can learn more and submit their applications at Sustain SC’s Land and Water Action Platform webpage here.
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.