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Nonprofiteer
← LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$5,889,535
Total expenses
$2,989,101
Contributions and grants received
$5,008,713
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$71,841
Investment income
$636,675
Other revenue
$172,306
Total assets, end of year
$39,253,320
Total liabilities, end of year
$12,645,197
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$26,608,123
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$2,021,908
Management and general expenses
$347,124
Fundraising expenses
$620,069
Program service expenses (Part III)
$2,021,908

Program services were 67.6% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $1,040,000

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $3,968,713

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $12,678

  • 2a · Program service revenue: TRANSFER FEES

    total $64,332 · related or exempt $64,332

  • 2b · Program service revenue: MERCHANDISE SALES

    total $7,509 · related or exempt $7,509

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $526,218 · excluded $526,218

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $14,098,905

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $13,988,448

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $110,457

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $110,457 · related or exempt $110,457

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $352,443

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $185,081

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $167,362 · excluded $167,362

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS INCOME

    total $4,944 · related or exempt $4,944

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $4,944

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $153,322 · program services $103,777 · management and general $19,718 · fundraising $29,827

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $1,358,789 · program services $919,706 · management and general $174,743 · fundraising $264,340

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $50,584 · program services $31,722 · management and general $8,794 · fundraising $10,068

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $165,606 · program services $124,496 · management and general $12,475 · fundraising $28,635

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $112,745 · program services $76,261 · management and general $14,402 · fundraising $22,082

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $25,619 · program services $25,469 · management and general $150

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $18,001 · program services $6,067 · management and general $5,967 · fundraising $5,967

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $48,448 · management and general $48,448

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $96,349 · program services $36,562 · management and general $979 · fundraising $58,808

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $44,882 · program services $10,940 · management and general $30 · fundraising $33,912

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $42,239 · program services $33,137 · management and general $1,685 · fundraising $7,417

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $66,479 · program services $27,983 · management and general $2,839 · fundraising $35,657

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $145,799 · program services $97,691 · management and general $16,092 · fundraising $32,016

  • 17 · Travel

    total $25,902 · program services $20,353 · management and general $1,386 · fundraising $4,163

  • 20 · Interest

    total $193,269 · program services $188,062 · management and general $5,200 · fundraising $7

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $2,895 · program services $2,062 · management and general $352 · fundraising $481

  • 24a · Other expenses: PARTNERSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS

    total $258,197 · program services $257,700 · fundraising $497

  • 24b · Other expenses: BANK & PAYROLL CHARGES

    total $47,121 · program services $2,649 · management and general $24,892 · fundraising $19,580

  • 24c · Other expenses: BAD DEBT

    total $43,877 · fundraising $43,877

  • 24d · Other expenses: TAXES & INSURANCE

    total $40,009 · program services $33,305 · management and general $2,600 · fundraising $4,104

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $48,969 · program services $23,966 · management and general $6,372 · fundraising $18,631

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,593,496 · end of year $1,777,436

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $1,489,758 · end of year $1,917,889

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $155,203 · end of year $4,000

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $89,470 · end of year $91,801

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $19,321,925

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $58,018

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $15,709,486 · end of year $19,263,907

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $12,995,372 · end of year $13,742,168

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $4,442 · end of year $3,142

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $799,955 · end of year $2,452,977

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $108,232 · end of year $513,621

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $2,220,000 · end of year $5,150,193

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $7,379,204 · end of year $6,981,383

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $13,678,190 · end of year $12,901,283

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $9,451,556 · end of year $13,706,840

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

TO PROTECT LAND AND WATER FOREVER, NURTURE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND PLACE, AND CONNECT CONSERVATION TO COMMUNITY.

  • LAND PROTECTION: DURING FY24, LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST PARTICIPATED IN THIRTEEN CONSERVATION TRANSACTIONS. THIS INCLUDED TWELVE NEW CONSERVATION EASEMENTS PROTECTING 8,151 ACRES, ONE FEE-SIMPLE PURCHASE OF 4 ACRES, AND A DEED RESTRICTION ON A 1-ACRE PROPERTY PURCHASED AND TRANSFERRED TO THE TOWN OF MCCLELLANVILLE, SC. AMONG LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST'S FY24 PROJECTS, TWO STAND OUT FOR SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTING TO SOUTH CAROLINA PARTNERSHIP EFFORTS TO CREATE A PROTECTED LANDS CORRIDOR BETWEEN THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ACE BASIN LANDSCAPE AND THE SOUTH LOWCOUNTRY LANDSCAPE ALONG THE SAVANNAH RIVER. LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST CLOSED A 2,169-ACRE CONSERVATION EASEMENT IN JASPER COUNTY, SC, THAT WILL ENABLE A MITIGATION SITE TO CONDUCT LARGE-SCALE ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION, INCLUDING THE PRESERVATION, RESTORATION, AND ENHANCEMENT OF APPROXIMATELY 1,800 ACRES OF FRESHWATER WETLANDS AND OVER 14,600 LINEAR FEET OF STREAMS. THAT PROJECT IS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE FROM A FULLY DONATED FY24 CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON 2,851 ACRES AT TURKEY HILL PLANTATION, PROTECTING DIVERSE NATURAL HABITATS THAT INCLUDE LONGLEAF PINE, PINE SAVANNAHS, AND WETLANDS. ANOTHER MITIGATION SITE CONSERVATION EASEMENT LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST PROTECTED IN FY24 IS LOCATED IN CHARLESTON COUNTY. THAT PROJECT WILL ENABLE THE PRESERVATION, RESTORATION, AND ENHANCEMENT OF 733 ACRES OF FRESHWATER WETLANDS, CREATING AN ECOLOGICAL UPLIFT BENEFITING THE SURROUNDING NATURAL LANDS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ONE OF CHARLESTON'S HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN SETTLEMENT COMMUNITIES AND SEVERAL OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST'S COMMUNITY LANDS PROGRAM ACQUIRED 4 ACRES IN FY24 THAT WOULD BECOME BEEFIELD COMMUNITY PARK. THE LAND TRUST CONTINUES TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO OBTAIN GRANTS AND CONNECT WITH EXPERTS TO CREATE A PARK THAT PRESERVES COMMUNITY-CENTERED GREEN SPACE AND HONORS A RICH PAST AND PRESENT, WHICH INCLUDES CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION ERA HISTORICAL MILESTONES AS WELL AS VIBRANT GULLAH GEECHEE CULTURE. OTHER FY24 LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST COMMUNITY LANDS PROJECTS INCLUDED THE TRANSFER WITH DEED RESTRICTIONS OF THE 1-ACRE DEER HEAD OAK PROPERTY TO THE TOWN OF MCCLELLANVILLE TO SERVE FOREVER AS A CENTRAL PUBLIC SPACE FOR THIS SCENIC FISHING VILLAGE, AND THE COMPLETION OF A 7-ACRE CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON THE SEA ISLANDS SMALL FARMERS COOPERATIVE PROPERTY. THIS NEW PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE COUNTY PARK WILL PROVIDE FISHING, CRABBING AND PADDLING ACCESS TO LOCAL WATERWAYS WHILE INTERPRETING THE CLOSE CONNECTION OF THE SITE TO SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL EVENTS RELATED TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN JOURNEY TOWARD FREEDOM AND ECONOMIC SELF-DETERMINATION. OTHER FY24 CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROJECTS WERE LOCATED ON WADMALAW ISLAND (266 ACRES IN TWO PROJECTS, BRINGING THE PERCENTAGE OF THAT RURAL SEA ISLAND PROTECTED TO APPROXIMATELY 30%), THE SOUTH LOWCOUNTRY (319 ACRES IN THREE PROJECTS), THE SANTEE RIVER BASIN (1 PROJECT ON 109 ACRES, ADDING TO 1,700 ACRES OF ADJACENT PROTECTED LAND), AND THE ACE BASIN (1 PROJECT ON 1,696 ACRES, PROTECTING HABITAT FOR A SIGNIFICANT COLONY OF FEDERALLY ENDANGERED RED COCKADED WOODPECKERS LOCATED ON THE SITE).

    Expenses $925,166 · Revenue $64,332

  • STEWARDSHIP: IN FY24, LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST MONITORED 100% OF ITS OVER 540 PROTECTED PROPERTIES, INCLUDING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, DEED RESTRICTIONS, AND FEE- SIMPLE PROPERTIES. LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST STAFF UTILIZES VARIOUS MONITORING METHODS, INCLUDING ON-THE-GROUND, DRONE, SATELITE, 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.

    Expenses $1,096,742

  • OUTREACH: THE LAND TRUST, AS PART OF ITS SOUL OF THE LOWCOUNTRY PROGRAM, HOSTED A SERIES OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS IN FY24 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 INCLUDED EVENTS SUCH AS YOGA AT THE ANGEL OAK, A TOUR OF A WORKING TREE FARM PROTECTED BY AN EASEMENT, A KAYAK CLEAN-UP ALONG THE BANKS OF THE LAND TRUST'S FIRST PROTECTED PROPERTY, AND AN OYSTER REEF BUILD. THE LAND TRUST ALSO CONVENED OVER 50 LOCAL CONSERVATION PARTNERS TO HOST ITS SECOND ANNUAL LOWCOUNTRY EARTH WEEK, WHICH BROUGHT AWARENESS TO THE VARIOUS CONSERVATION INITIATIVES IN THE REGION.

    Revenue $7,509

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Ashley Demosthenes

    PRESIDENT, C

    Total calculated
    $153,322
    From this org
    $153,322
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $153,322
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    not reported
    Nontaxable benefits
    not reported
    Filer's total
    $153,322

  • Bob Baldwin

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • W Mac Baughman

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • J Travis Benintendo

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Walter Blessing Jr

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Paul Butler

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Wes Carter

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Justin Craig

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Bobby Creech

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Amanda Davis

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Paula Feldman

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Robbie Hollings

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Tom Hutto

    PAST CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Susan Johnson

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Sheldon Kramer

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Lindsay Nevin

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Telfair Parker

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Robert Daniel Perry

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Marissa Sams

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Beth Settle

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

None.

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • WADMACON LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $356,600

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • BACONS BRIDGE LLC

    LAND · SC

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • ASHEM LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $341,800

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • ANGEL OAK LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $343,000

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • QUEMBY BARONY LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $6,727,000

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • FRENCH QUARTER CREEK

    HOLDS LAND · SC

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • HYDE PARK - EAST BRANCH LLC

    INACTIVE · SC

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • MEYER LAKE LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $3,400,000

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • SIMMONS CREEK - JOHNS ISLAND LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $2,900,000

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • DISHER PRESERVE LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $300,000

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • MOULTRIE I LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $50,000

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • MOULTRIE II LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $50,000

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • RIVERTOWNE WETLAND LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $50,000

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • SHEM CREEK HEADWATERS LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $200,000

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • BEEFIELD COMMUNITY LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $800,000

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • BARRY TRACT LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $2,200,000

    Directly controlled by LLT

  • WILLOW OAK-JOHNS ISLAND LLC

    HOLDS LAND · SC · assets $925,000

    Directly controlled by LLT

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
14 November 2024
IRS schema version
2023v5.0
Source object
202403209349303975

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