Conservancy of the Sea Islands
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Kiawah Conservancy provides the vision, leadership and resources necessary to preserve and enhance Kiawah Island's unique balance of nature and development. We are an independent, research driven non-political, not-for-profit organization.
- Income
- $2.4 million
- Spending
- $2.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 25.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 543
- Highest pay
- $153,858, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 25.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 45% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2526 of 28 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 December 31, 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)
- $1.3 million spent. The Organization currently maintains 85 properties and conservation easements totaling over 3,876 acres in the Sea Islands region covering Johns Island, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island, South Carolina. The organization maintains these owned properties and conservation easements for the expressed purpose of keeping land in their natural, undeveloped state for perpetuity. The organization has stewardship responsibility for all conservation properties including the maintenance of established nature trails, native plant demonstration gardens, and demonstration rain gardens outfitted with educational signage.(See Schedule O)The Organization has been accredited by the land trust accreditation commission since February 16, 2017, with its accreditation renewed in 2023. This important distinction independently confirms that the organization continually operates according to the highest standards in land conservation and nonprofit management. In particular, it assures that the organization fulfills its responsibility to conserve its land and easements in perpetuity.The Organization's habitat improvement plan aims to consistently support Sea Island property owners in creating and maintaining optimal habitat that sustains the regions current and future wildlife. The Organization, working in concert with other entities on Johns, Kiawah, and Seabrook Islands, offers resources, landscaping guidance, access to qualified professionals, and assessment tools to help property owners implement this plan.
- $236,869 spent. The Organization supports and conducts numerous research studies to deepen understanding of the natural environment on Johns Island, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island, South Carolina, while advancing its broader mission.Bird Banding The Kiawah Island Banding Station (KIBS) is supported by the Kiawah Conservancy and operated by the Town of Kiawah Island. Annual banding and monitoring efforts include:(See Schedule O)Fall Migration MonitoringFall migration monitoring began in 2009 at the west end of Kiawah Island. In 2015, an additional station was created at the East End of Kiawah Island on Little Bear Island, a property held under conservation easement by the Kiawah Conservancy. Mist nets are operated by the Town Wildlife Biologist and seasonal. The nets are operated daily from mid-August through November. They are opened 30 minutes before sunrise and closed approximately six hours later.Groundwater Table StudyThis long-term study was initiated in 2019 to monitor groundwater conditions on Kiawah Island. A series of 24 groundwater monitoring wells were installed and will continue to be monitored and utilized overtime, with data being compared alongside other non-invasive subsurface monitoring devices to create a map of the groundwater table and develop annual water budgets for the Sea Islands region. The study is being conducted by the Kiawah Conservancy in collaboration with the Town of Kiawah Island, the College of Charleston, and the Kiawah Island Community Association. Marsh Vulnerability StudyThe project initiated efforts to monitor the tidal marsh wetlands surrounding Kiawah Island by mapping historical changes of the vegetated shorelines, built structures, and various plant communities within the marsh. Coordinated by the Kiawah Conservancy in partnership with the Town of Kiawah Island and the College of Charleston, the initiative has established a foundation for ongoing study. The Kiawah Conservancy continues this work by expanding upon the original dataset, providing updated information at no cost to municipal governments and regional partners to support informed marsh management and planning. Resilience ProjectThis project explores the use of nature-based solutions to enhance resilience for both human and wildlife communities on Kiawah Island. Through stakeholder engagement, it identifies viable practices and addresses barriers to implementation in support of long-term coastal resilience. The initiative received federal support through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation via the Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund 2019. A key outcome of the project is the Nature-Based Solutions Manual for Kiawah Island, which highlights strategies such as stormwater mitigation and marsh restoration. Ongoing monitoring and research continue to inform future resilience efforts, including the implementation of restoration and enhancement projects within the watershed that deliver broad public benefits.Ecological Health InitiativeThe Ecological Health Initiative focuses on identifying key indicators across each habitat on Kiawah Island for targeted research and monitoring, with the goal of building a comprehensive understanding of overall ecosystem health. The framework developed through this effort guides the Kiawah Conservancy's research, monitoring, and restoration efforts. The Conservancy produces an annual report and community presentation that assess ecological health and track changes over time through year-to-year comparisons. Findings from this work inform regional planning efforts to address environmental and natural resource challenges, including the development of local marsh management and watershed-based plans.
- $61,470 spent. The Organization develops, publishes, and distributes educational materials, maintains an active social media presence, and manages its website to advance understanding of the importance of preserving the natural environments of Johns, Kiawah, and Seabrook Islands. These outreach efforts engage a broad audienceincluding property owners, visitors, businesses, associations, governments, partner organizations, and other conservation organizationsto promote informed stewardship across the region.(See Schedule O)ROOTS, the Kiawah Conservancy's annual magazine, is distributed to all supporters and highlights key initiatives, upcoming educational opportunities, and ongoing conservation and preservation efforts that support the Organization's mission. In addition, the Kiawah Conservancy produces a wide range of brochures, booklets, and other publications to further support and communicate its work.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1998.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.