Conservancy of the Sea Islands

What it reported doing in 2025

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.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 66.3%; rating input score 66
• Program expense ratio: 79%; rating input score 79
• Fundraising efficiency: $11.12 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 40; 40th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 92.9%; rating input score 93; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 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: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 16.5%; rating input score 68; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.69; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 79; 79th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 13.3%; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 12.5% per year; rating input score 100; 69th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 11.2% per year; rating input score 100; 70th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 9% per year; rating input score 100; 54th percentile among comparable filings