Lynches River Conservation Grant

Lynches River Conservation Grant is sponsored by Central Carolina Community Foundation. This grant supports land acquisition and conservation projects aimed at enhancing water quality and ecological integrity in the Lynches River watershed of South Carolina.

The Lynches River Conservation Board will fund land acquisition/conservation projects in the South Carolina region of the Lynches River watershed. Supported projects will be those that improve the water quality and ecological integrity of the Lynches River watershed.

The Lynches River Conservation Board consists of an elected official and representatives from Conservation Voters of South Carolina, South Carolina Coastal Conservation League, Winyah Rivers Foundation, South Carolina Wildlife Federation, National Wildlife Federation and Haile Corporation. Grants are available to 501(c)3 or government entities.

If the applicant is a land trust, preference is given to those accredited by Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The Lynches River Conservation Fund Service Area covers the Lynches River watershed from the SC/NC border to the Lynches River confluence with the Pee Dee River.

This grant is intended to fund up to the full amount of land acquisition costs for projects in the priority service area (outlined in blue on the below map) and up to 50% for projects in the expanded service area (outlined in black on the map). NOTE: The Lynches River Conservation Board urges organizations to seek conservation worthy projects inside the **Priority Service Area** identified in the Lynches River Service Area Map.

There is an extensive network of riparian zones associated with the Upper Lynches River and its many tributaries. Recognizing the threats of development and land conversion creeping into this area from the north, every acre protected that has riparian adjacency will have a water quality benefit to the primary watershed.

Applicants are also urged to pursue and prioritize connectivity to existing or planned state and federal land that can add to public use. Finally, organizations are also encouraged to submit proposals for projects that build on connectivity to private lands already under conservation easement or restrictive covenants.

### Application and Grant Process Central Carolina Community Foundation and the Lynches River Conservation Fund Board will accept applications on a rolling basis. * All organizations applying for a grant are directed to work with/through Open Space Institute _(Note: OSI can apply for funding as well)_ * _OSI Grant Specialist Justin Park jpark@osiny.

org will be your point of contact_ * OSI and other applicants will proactively identify grant opportunities. * OSI will work with applicants to craft and submit a grant proposal. * OSI manages due diligence on behalf of applicants (both prior to application submission to determine if property can be secured and prior to closing).

* Grants are reviewed by the LRCF Board two times per year (additional reviews can be scheduled if needed) * All applicants must be available via phone/email to provide a timely (within two business days) response to any questions posed by the LRCF Board. * Finalists are notified and receive conditional award letter.

* OSI works with finalists to conduct final due diligence (e.g., appraisal, survey, ESA, title commitment) for the property * Applicants submit completed final due diligence documents to CCCF for staff review. If there are no significant changes or concerns, the grant is approved for the purchase price of the specified property or its conservation easement.

* If there are concerns or significant changes to the original grant proposal, the LRCF Board will conduct a second review of the proposal and determine final grant approval * Grant contract, including language detailing the purpose of the Lynches River Conservation Fund, will be signed by the grantee and funds will be disbursed via ACH prior to closing.

* Grantee provides 12-month progress/final report * OSI can request up to 5% of the LRCF request to compensate for their staff time and operational costs to identify and secure the properties and coordinate grant submission. These costs should be included in the grant application budget. Note: if the project is not funded, these expenses will not be reimbursed.

* Applicants can include their organization’s due diligence expenses not covered by OSI (i.e., survey, legal expenses) in the project budget. Note: if the project is not funded, these expenses will not be reimbursed. _Disclosure: OSI will be reimbursed quarterly for due diligence costs incurred when identifying and securing properties.

This includes both projects that are funded and those that are not. OSI will invoice the LRCF at CCCF for these costs. _ ### Application Requirements All applications must be submitted via the Community Foundation’s grant portal.

You will be able to save changes to your application. It is recommended that you review the application in full beforehand in order to assemble the necessary information. Below is a list of the documents you will need to upload.

##### _Note: If you are submitting proposals for tracts that are non-contiguous, please contact the Foundation for further instructions on completing the application.

_ You will be asked to provide the following information in your application: * * Project Narrative – DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE * Target Property Contact Information – DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE * Signed Affidavit- DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE * Property location on a county map * Property location on a watershed map * The estimated value of land (include substantiation). The final grant will be based on an appraisal for conservation from a certified appraiser.

* Land Acquisition project budget (including due diligence, acquisition cost, and any other costs) – DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE * Images of proposed land acquisition to include geomapping and digital pictures * The annual organization operating budget * Board of Directors list including position and occupation.

Please disclose any potential conflicts of interest this land acquisition would pose for any Board members * Optional uploads of aerial photographs or other pictures that illustrate the land value Note: The following documents are not required with the application. However, the Lynches River Conservation Board may ask for these documents if additional information is needed.

* Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) tax exemption letter OR fiscal sponsorship agreement * Timber cruise or stand report * Charitable registration letter from the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Public Charities Section or a current letter stating that our organization is exempt from registration * Vision, values and mission statement * Audited Financial Statements (Form 990) #### **If missed the information session, check it out here.

** #### Please contact Justin Park (jpark@osiny. org) prior to beginning the application process. For questions about the grant portal or grant review process, please contact Trimease Carter (Trimease@yourfoundation.

org or 803-254-5601 ext. 315). ### Central Carolina Community Foundation Selected for National Trust for Civic Life Initiative Supporting Rural Communities ### Sumter Community Foundation Awards Grants to Combat Food Insecurity, Welcomes New Board Leadership