Lowcountry Land Trust Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROTECT LAND AND WATER FOREVER, NURTURE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND PLACE, AND CONNECT CONSERVATION TO COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $12.6 million
- Spending
- $11.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 1.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 71%
- Employees
- 24
- Volunteers
- 128
- Highest pay
- $161,223, president, c
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 114% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $9.8 million spent. LAND PROTECTION: DURING FY25, LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST PARTICIPATED IN FIFTEEN CONSERVATION TRANSACTIONS. THIS INCLUDES TEN NEW CONSERVATION EASEMENTS PROTECTING 1,295 ACRES, FOUR FEE-SIMPLE PURCHASES PROTECTING 146 ACRES, AND ONE DEED RESTRICTION ON A .7-ACRE PROPERTY. FY25 LAND PROTECTION PROJECTS EXPANDED ACROSS COASTAL SOUTH CAROLINA, FROM THE ACE BASIN TO THE SANTEE BASIN. ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF WALTERBORO, A 561- ACRE TRACT WAS PLACED UNDER A CONSERVATION EASEMENT, DEMONSTRATING THE COMMITMENT OF PRIVATE LANDOWNERS, NONPROFITS, AND STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO PRESERVING CULTURAL HISTORY AND NATURAL RESOURCES. THE PROJECT HELPED CREATE A CONTIGUOUS PROTECTED LANDSCAPE IN COLLETON COUNTY, CONTRIBUTING TO THE QUICKLY GROWING AREA'S ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ALIGNING WITH LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST'S RECENTLY IDENTIFIED HIGH-RESILIENCE ZONE NEAR COTTAGEVILLE. IN ADDITION TO ACQUIRING 94 ACRES OF VITAL FARMLAND ON JOHNS ISLAND THAT WILL SOON BECOME PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE VIA WALKING TRAILS, FIELD TRIPS, FARM STANDS, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ABOUT SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES AND LAND STEWARDSHIP, LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST BOUGHT, PROTECTED, AND TRANSFERRED THREE PROPERTIES FOR COMMUNITY USE AND BENEFIT. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARLESTON COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION, A 35-ACRE TRACT IN RAVENEL WILL SERVE AS AN OFFICIAL ADDITION TO CAW CAW INTERPRETIVE CENTER. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BARRIER ISLANDS LITTLE LEAGUE, A 40-ACRE LANDMARK PROJECT ON JOHNS ISLAND ENSURES THAT A VITAL GREEN SPACE WILL REMAIN UNDEVELOPED, PROVIDING BOTH ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PHILLIPS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION AND ITS RESIDENTS, A .7 ACRE SITE WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE GREEN SPACE, WITH THE PRESERVED RUTLEDGE TOMB AT ITS CENTERPIECE, PROVIDING A VITAL LINK TO THE AREA'S PLANTATION HISTORY AND HONORING THE SETTLEMENT COMMUNITY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LAND. LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST ALSO HELPED THE RED TOP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION CONSERVE, INTERPRET, AND CELEBRATE A CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY, AS PART OF ITS COMMUNITY LANDS PROGRAM. OTHER FY25 CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROJECTS INCLUDE PERMANENTLY PROTECTING 1.77 MILES OF DIRECT RIVER FRONTAGE ALONG FEE FARM CREEK, ADDING TO THE NEARLY 14,340 ACRES OF PROTECTED LAND ALONG THE ASHEPOO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES PROTECTED BY LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST; SAFEGUARDING 20 ACRES OF HISTORY AND HABITAT IN THE ASHLEY RIVER HISTORIC DISTRICT; CONSERVING AN ENTIRE UNDISTURBED BARRIER ISLAND OF 28 ACRES OF UPLAND HABITAT SURROUNDED BY 393 ACRES OF SALT MARSH ALONG THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY; AND EXPANDING THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT OF AN ECOLOGICALLY RICH AND HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SANTEE RIVER AT THE GATEWAY TO CHARLESTON COUNTY ALONG BOTH SIDES OF U.S. HIGHWAY 17. LAND PROTECTION: DURING FY25, LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST PARTICIPATED IN FIFTEEN CONSERVATION TRANSACTIONS. THIS INCLUDES TEN NEW CONSERVATION EASEMENTS PROTECTING 1,295 ACRES, FOUR FEE-SIMPLE PURCHASES PROTECTING 146 ACRES, AND ONE DEED RESTRICTION ON A .7-ACRE PROPERTY. FY25 LAND PROTECTION PROJECTS EXPANDED ACROSS COASTAL SOUTH CAROLINA, FROM THE ACE BASIN TO THE SANTEE BASIN. ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF WALTERBORO, A 561- ACRE TRACT WAS PLACED UNDER A CONSERVATION EASEMENT, DEMONSTRATING THE COMMITMENT OF PRIVATE LANDOWNERS, NONPROFITS, AND STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO PRESERVING CULTURAL HISTORY AND NATURAL RESOURCES. THE PROJECT HELPED CREATE A CONTIGUOUS PROTECTED LANDSCAPE IN COLLETON COUNTY, CONTRIBUTING TO THE QUICKLY GROWING AREA'S ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND ALIGNING WITH LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST'S RECENTLY IDENTIFIED HIGH-RESILIENCE ZONE NEAR COTTAGEVILLE. IN ADDITION TO ACQUIRING 94 ACRES OF VITAL FARMLAND ON JOHNS ISLAND THAT WILL SOON BECOME PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE VIA WALKING TRAILS, FIELD TRIPS, FARM STANDS, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ABOUT SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES AND LAND STEWARDSHIP, LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST BOUGHT, PROTECTED, AND TRANSFERRED THREE PROPERTIES FOR COMMUNITY USE AND BENEFIT. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARLESTON COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION, A 35-ACRE TRACT IN RAVENEL WILL SERVE AS AN OFFICIAL ADDITION TO CAW CAW INTERPRETIVE CENTER. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BARRIER ISLANDS LITTLE LEAGUE, A 40-ACRE LANDMARK PROJECT ON JOHNS ISLAND ENSURES THAT A VITAL GREEN SPACE WILL REMAIN UNDEVELOPED, PROVIDING BOTH ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PHILLIPS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION AND ITS RESIDENTS, A .7 ACRE SITE WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE GREEN SPACE, WITH THE PRESERVED RUTLEDGE TOMB AT ITS CENTERPIECE, PROVIDING A VITAL LINK TO THE AREA'S PLANTATION HISTORY AND HONORING THE SETTLEMENT COMMUNITY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LAND. LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST ALSO HELPED THE RED TOP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION CONSERVE, INTERPRET, AND CELEBRATE A CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY, AS PART OF ITS COMMUNITY LANDS PROGRAM. OTHER FY25 CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROJECTS INCLUDE PERMANENTLY PROTECTING 1.77 MILES OF DIRECT RIVER FRONTAGE ALONG FEE FARM CREEK, ADDING TO THE NEARLY 14,340 ACRES OF PROTECTED LAND ALONG THE ASHEPOO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES PROTECTED BY LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST; SAFEGUARDING 20 ACRES OF HISTORY AND HABITAT IN THE ASHLEY RIVER HISTORIC DISTRICT; CONSERVING AN ENTIRE UNDISTURBED BARRIER ISLAND OF 28 ACRES OF UPLAND HABITAT SURROUNDED BY 393 ACRES OF SALT MARSH ALONG THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY; AND EXPANDING THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT OF AN ECOLOGICALLY RICH AND HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SANTEE RIVER AT THE GATEWAY TO CHARLESTON COUNTY ALONG BOTH SIDES OF U.S. HIGHWAY 17.
- $525,246 spent. LAND STEWARDSHIP: IN FY25, LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST MONITORED 100% OF ITS OVER 550 PROTECTED PROPERTIES, INCLUDING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, DEED RESTRICTIONS, AND FEE SIMPLE PROJECTS. LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST STAFF UTILIZES VARIOUS MONITORING METHODS, INCLUDING ON-THE-GROUND, DRONE, SATELLITE, AND AERIAL MONITORING, TO MEET ITS STEWARDSHIP OBLIGATIONS. LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST STAFF CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE WITH LANDOWNERS AND PROPERTY MANAGERS DURING MONITORING VISITS AS WELL AS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO MAINTAIN STRONG WORKING RELATIONSHIPS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH RELEVANT EDUCATIONAL, LAND MANAGEMENT, AND CONSERVATION EASEMENT RESOURCES.
- COMMUNITY OUTREACH: LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST, AS PART OF ITS SOUL OF THE LOWCOUNTRY PROGRAM, HOSTED A SERIES OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS IN FY25 THAT ENCOURAGED ALL AGES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENTHUSIASTS TO ENGAGE IN CONSERVATION. FREE OPPORTUNITIES TO IMMERSE ONESELF IN NATURE AND LEARN ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP INCLUDED EVENTS SUCH AS CLEANUPS AND YOGA AT THE FUTURE ANGEL OAK PRESERVE, WILDLIFE SAMPLINGS AND OYSTER REEF BUILDS WITH THE SCDNR, NATURE WALKS AND BIRDING OUTINGS ON PROTECTED AND STEWARDED SITES, AND A KAYAK CLEANUP ALONG THE BANKS OF THE LAND TRUST'S FIRST-EVER PROTECTED PROPERTY. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONVENED OVER 50 LOCAL CONSERVATION PARTNERS TO HOST ITS THIRD-ANNUAL LOWCOUNTRY EARTH MONTH, RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE VARIOUS CONSERVATION INITIATIVES/METHODS IN THE REGION. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST, AS PART OF ITS SOUL OF THE LOWCOUNTRY PROGRAM, HOSTED A SERIES OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS IN FY25 THAT ENCOURAGED ALL AGES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENTHUSIASTS TO ENGAGE IN CONSERVATION. FREE OPPORTUNITIES TO IMMERSE ONESELF IN NATURE AND LEARN ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP INCLUDED EVENTS SUCH AS CLEANUPS AND YOGA AT THE FUTURE ANGEL OAK PRESERVE, WILDLIFE SAMPLINGS AND OYSTER REEF BUILDS WITH THE SCDNR, NATURE WALKS AND BIRDING OUTINGS ON PROTECTED AND STEWARDED SITES, AND A KAYAK CLEANUP ALONG THE BANKS OF THE LAND TRUST'S FIRST-EVER PROTECTED PROPERTY. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONVENED OVER 50 LOCAL CONSERVATION PARTNERS TO HOST ITS THIRD-ANNUAL LOWCOUNTRY EARTH MONTH, RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE VARIOUS CONSERVATION INITIATIVES/METHODS IN THE REGION.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
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