Sustain SC is pleased to announce the second round of 2026 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 $138,969 to six nonprofit organizations to support 12 projects spanning nine counties, helping to protect 4,162 acres of land and water across the state.
Grants were awarded to the following organizations this round: Aiken Land Conservancy, American Battlefield Trust, Nation Ford Land Trust, Pee Dee Land Trust, SC Farm Bureau Land Trust and Upper Savannah Land Trust.
Land And Water Action Platform is a grant-making platform to enable organizations who conserve land to protect critical lands, preserve scenic vistas, maintain healthy watersheds and ensure access to green spaces for future generations. In total, since spring 2025, LAWAP has awarded $439,144 across 29 projects in 20 counties, assisting with the protection of 18,944 acres of land and water. This milestone demonstrates the impact we can make when South Carolina’s business and conservation communities work together.
Funding will help cover real estate expenses that are often difficult to fund yet critical to moving conservation land deals forward. The Grants Review Committee completed its review process October and funds will be disbursed in late November.
“In just two years, the Land and Water Action Platform has helped protect nearly 19,000 acres of land and water across South Carolina,” said Leslie Skardon, CEO of Sustain SC. “These grants reflect what can happen at the intersection of commerce and conservation. We couldn’t facilitate the long-term resilience in our state without our corporate partners.”
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. This round of LAWAP grants were made possible by AFL, Atlantic Packaging, Google, Norfolk Southern and Primo Brands.
The Land and Water Action Platform was re-launched in April 2025, followed by the announcement of the Grants Review Committee in June of 2025. Sustain SC extends its gratitude to the Committee members who continue to advance the protection of South Carolina’s natural resources.
As we look ahead to 2027, 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/land-water-action-platform
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.