Round 2 LAWAP - Insights - 1
Sustain SC announced the first round of 2026 grants awarded through its Land and Water Action Platform (LAWAP) to advance conservation projects across South Carolina in partnership with the state’s business community. In this round, LAWAP awarded $72,175 across six projects spanning Aiken, Colleton, Greenville, Hampton, Jasper and Lancaster counties. Funding will support land value costs and cover real estate expenses that are often difficult to fund but critical to advancing conservation deals. In total, the awards will help protect nearly 2,000 acres of land and water across the state.
The Grants Review Committee completed the review process on March 31. Award recipients were notified the week of April 6, and funds will be distributed during Earth Day week.
“Announcing this third round of funding on Earth Day is especially meaningful,” said Leslie Skardon, CEO of Sustain SC. “As we enter the updated platform’s second year, we are proud to continue connecting corporate investment with the conservation needs of South Carolina. This work reflects the impact we can make when the public and private sectors work together to protect the natural resources that support our economy, environment and people.”
Since relaunching the Land and Water Action Platform in April 2025, Sustain SC has raised $400,000 and completed three rounds of grant awards. Last year, $253,000 was awarded across 12 projects in 11 counties, protecting more than 13,000 acres of land and water. Sustain SC also thanked its grants committee members for their leadership and service and recognized LAWAP funders AFL Global, Atlantic Packaging, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Google, Norfolk Southern and Primo Brands for their investments.
Applications are now open for the second round of 2026 LAWAP funding. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2026, with awards expected to be finalized by early September. Nonprofit organizations focused on South Carolina land and water conservation are encouraged to apply. More details and the application portal are available on Sustain SC’s Land and Water Action Platform webpage.
Through initiatives like the Land and Water Action Platform, Sustain SC aims to show that economic growth and environmental stewardship can work together to support a resilient future for South Carolina.