South Carolina Coastal Conservation League Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

The following are the League's Conservation Programs: Communities, Transportation, Land UseThe objective of this program is to advocate for land conservation and quality of life in South Carolina coastal communities by advocating for sustainable urban growth patterns, efficient and clean transportation systems, and permanent land protection where appropriate. The Conservation League provides technical and professional assistance to local residents to help preserve their land and communities, advocates for good land use policies, and provides community organizing expertise.(Continued on Schedule O)Examples of priority projects include: Advocating for public transportation and mobility solutions like the Lowcountry Rapid Transit project; Advocating against highways, such as 1-526, I-73, and Highway 22 Extension, that contribute to suburban sprawl and disproportionately impact low-wealth communities; Advancing local and state resilience policies that minimize development in low-lying areas and prioritize the use of natural green infrastructure for coastal protection; Advancing conservation funding in counties and at the state level; Ensuring that wetland fill is avoided, and when necessary, adequately mitigated through land protection and restoration; andWorking through local land use planning to establish strong urban growth and urban service boundaries (especially in Jasper, Berkeley, Charleston, Beaufort, and Horry Counties).Land, Water, WildlifeThe objective of this program is to advocate for natural resource conservation to further our mission of protecting clean and abundant water, natural habitats, and the health of people and wildlife. The Conservation League accomplishes this goal by ensuring public policies are adequate and properly implemented to protect water quality and quantity, wildlife habitat, and valuable landscapes, as well as communicating to a broad audience about how to get involved in decisions affecting these coastal assets.Examples of priority projects include: Fighting inappropriately sited mines that threaten coastal resources and disproportionately impact communities; Protecting beaches such as Captain Sam's Spit and Bay Point Island from irresponsible development; Preventing plastic pellet pollution ("nurdles") and passing local and state laws to hold polluters responsible.Opposing Clean Water Rule rollbacks; Protecting our shoreline and marine habitats - such as oyster beds and saltmarsh; Restoring and protecting wildlife habitat in places such as Crab Bank and Deveaux Bank and advocating for strengthening enforcement and regulations; andAdvocating for resilient coastlines and prioritized land conservation that will help with marsh migration and carbon sequestration.EnergyThe objective of this program is to advocate for clean energy as components of a healthy ecosystem and quality of life, through policy reform, public awareness campaigns, and educational outreach. The Conservation League promotes energy efficiency, energy conservation, retirement of fossil-fueled energy equipment, and renewable energy as the cheapest and most effective solutions to the climate, health, and social crises associated with our current energy system.Examples of priority projects include: Challenging new gas pipelines through pristine areas such as the ACE Basin; Working to ensure that data centers do not exploit the state's energy and water resources to benefit job creation primarily focused in other states.Creating and implementing regulatory processes that ensure fair consideration of clean energy in the planning and operation of the electricity and natural gas supply, transmission, and distribution systems; Establishing regulatory and financial mechanisms to promote implementation of energy efficient technologies; Reducing carbon emissions from dirty fuel sources, like coal and other fossil fuels, through advocacy and state policy reform; Reducing single occupancy cars on the road and electrifying transportation; Prom

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 89.8%; rating input score 90
• Program expense ratio: 66.2%; rating input score 66
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.25 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.3%; rating input score 93; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 40.2%; rating input score 89; 89th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.85; rating input score 79; 79th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.03; rating input score 77; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 9.9%; rating input score 30; 30th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5.9% per year; rating input score 100; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 7.3% per year; rating input score 100; 56th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7.2% per year; rating input score 100; 46th percentile among comparable filings