From the Blue Ridge Mountains to vital coastal wetlands, South Carolina’s abundant natural resources are part of its allure for those who want to live and do business here. Sustain SC was created to bring together decision-makers across different sectors to be sure the state’s natural heritage is preserved for all to enjoy, while also enabling responsible growth.
“Sustain SC’s mission is to connect the sustainability goals of business in South Carolina with local solutions for the benefit of the state’s economy, environment and people,” said Kristen Austin Gunter, senior vice president of conservation.
Sustain SC helped protect a portion of Waites Island through its Land and Water Action Platform.“We serve at the intersection of commerce and conservation by bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders across different sectors who share the same values,” Gunter said. “Our secret sauce is bringing industry, utilities, nonprofits, academia and government agencies together to rally around challenges we face in a rapidly growing South Carolina.”
Over 100 entities comprise the membership of the nonprofit, which will celebrate its five-year anniversary in March 2026. Gunter said Sustain SC was formed with the understanding that as South Carolina’s population grows — it is projected to double over the next 50 years — protecting land and water resources is crucial.
Sustain SC’s strategic plan, the Roadmap to Sustain South Carolina, identifies seven accelerators to boost sustainable improvements in the following key areas: Strategic partnerships; resilience and conservation; sustainable workforce; innovation and sustainable growth; the circular economy; affordable, reliable and sustainable energy; and metrics and reporting.
The organization’s impact is felt in its Land and Water Action Platform. Launched in 2023, the initiative was instrumental in protecting a portion of Waites Island — one of South Carolina’s last pristine barrier islands — by providing $1 million in funding for the effort donated by Google and an anonymous Sustain SC member.
“The Land and Water Action Platform was relaunched in April 2025 as a fund where individuals and businesses can invest in land and water conservation across South Carolina to safeguard our natural resources and landscapes while strengthening local economies and communities,” Gunter said.
The fund prioritizes costs that are often not covered by other grant programs: up-front fees like appraisals, surveys, and environmental assessments and operations, and stewardship endowments to cover long-term monitoring costs.
An Upstate Forever land project in Spartanburg County supported by Sustain SC’s LWAP.To date, the platform has raised $325,000. Designed to be nimble, it has already completed two rounds of grant cycles, allocating $252,907 to 12 projects across 11 counties, protecting 13,305 acres of land.
Committed to educating the public and decision-makers, Sustain SC holds monthly webinars on trending topics that anyone can join and will begin offering legislative briefings for members in 2026.
“Sustainability is the cornerstone of ensuring the future for our economy and the environment,” Gunter said. “We’re providing important research and data so key stakeholders can make informed decisions based on the most relevant and up-to-date information.”
To learn more, join Sustain SC, or donate to the Land and Water Action Platform, visit sustainsouthcarolina.org.
Visit cfgreenville.org to learn more about the Community Foundation of Greenville.
