Apply for South Carolina Lowcountry Land Conservation Grants

We offer a suite of philanthropic resources to support the stewardship of natural and working lands, with an increased focus on climate resilience, inclusion, and advocacy. ​

Grants

How We Work

Relationships are at the core of our grantmaking process. Each grant starts with a conversation with a program officer so we can get to know you and your work.

Grant Eligibility

Organizations that apply for grants must meet the following eligibility requirements. See How to Apply to begin the process.

Requirements

  • You must be a 501(c)(3) public charity (or be fiscally sponsored by one) or unit of government.
  • You must be in compliance with the Secretary of State where the organization is headquartered.
  • You must have completed at least one full fiscal year of operations before applying.
  • You must have a nexus to land conservation in the following counties: Horry, Georgetown, Berkeley, Dorchester, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper, Williamsburg, Marion, and Beaufort.

Not Eligible

  • Individuals
  • Environmental education programs and religious activities.
  • Projects or activities that involve political campaigns, electoral politics, or lobbying on pending legislation
  • Stand-alone conferences, publications, films, events, websites, or videos
  • Endowments, capital campaigns, or debt reduction.
  • Projects for developed parklands, community or school gardens, rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavements, trails, and bike paths
  • Other programs that are not primarily focused on one or more of the four goals of the strategy

Lowcountry Land Conservation Grant Deadline

Please contact us at least six weeks before the deadline to begin the application process.

Next grant deadline: Friday, March 26, 2027

Lowcountry Land Conservation Strategy

Land Conservation through a Climate Resilience Lens

The impacts of climate change in the region, including sea level rise, warmer temperatures, and extreme weather, make a focus on resilient climate corridors is a priority. This is imperative to both coastal lands and inland areas where habitats will migrate as impacts continue.

We support land conservation organizations that demonstrate strategic protection with a resilience lens as part of their program work, including mapping and research that identifies resilience priorities; organizations working in vulnerable communities to address climate impacts using land conservation strategies; and advocacy organizations working at the federal, state, and local levels to increase public awareness and funding for mitigation and adaptation in the Lowcountry.

Advocacy to Augment Conservation Efforts

Some land conservation outcomes happen with easements or fee-simple transactions. Some with teams of volunteer stewards. Some occur at the policy level.

There are opportunities to advocate for the application of current and the development of future public programs at the state and local level to support conservation-focused regional planning, working lands, habitat connectivity, floodwater storage, and other resilience-related efforts.

We provide resources to help augment the land conservation field’s efforts to weave a cohesive narrative around the benefits of land conservation and influence public policy on land use and resilience, including general operating and project support to land conservation advocacy efforts.

Land Conservation That Is Inclusive of All People

Land conservation is most successful when both humans and nature are in balance, which requires the support and engagement of all communities throughout the Lowcountry.

We want to increase the relevance and reach of land conservation work by supporting inclusive efforts that provide both biodiversity and human quality of life benefits for the diverse communities across the region. Examples include direct support of or meaningful engagement with community-based organizations to ensure that land conservation and resilience efforts serve the needs of historically disinvested communities.

Grant Award Ranges

Typical grants range from $10,000–$100,000 in the Lowcountry Land Conservation portfolio.

How to Apply

Returning Grantees

  1. Log into the Grantee Portal to complete your application. All proposal applications will be available in the portal six weeks before the deadline.
  2. You will receive an email from Giving Data when applications are available, as well as periodic reminder emails.
  3. Information about process, reports, and other frequently asked questions can be found on our Current Grantee Resources page.
  4. If you have additional questions about the forms or process, email grants@gddf.org.

New Applicants

  1. Confirm your eligibility. 
  2. New applicants must speak with Jason Crowley before beginning the application process. Reach out to him at jason@gddf.org. 
VIEW A SAMPLE APPLICATION

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