Sustain SC

What Sustain SC does

Sustain South Carolina (operating as Sustain SC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2021 and headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina. It operates at the intersection of commerce and conservation, convening a statewide coalition of corporations, conservation nonprofits, universities, and state agencies to advance sustainability outcomes that benefit the state's economy, environment, and communities. Sustain SC defines itself as nonpartisan, commerce-driven, and conservation-minded, and delivers a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a single product.

Its core programs include the Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI), a six-month fellowship developed in partnership with Furman University's Shi Institute that has graduated four cohorts and produced 23 alumni to date; the Land and Water Action Platform (LAWAP), a corporate-funded conservation grant mechanism that re-launched in April 2025 and awarded $252,900 across 12 projects in 2025, protecting 13,305 acres; the South Carolina Sustainability Scorecard, a statewide data initiative launched in 2025; the Annual Sustainability Symposium (4th edition in 2025 with 200+ attendees; 5th scheduled for October 2026); B2B Matchmaker Events co-hosted with the SC Department of Commerce; Business-to-Student Networking (B2SN) Events at multiple SC universities; Regional Supply Chain Workshops; Cross-Sector Energy Forums; and educator-training programs such as Building Sustainability Champions. Notable enterprise supporters include Boeing, BMW Manufacturing, Trane Technologies, Milliken, Scout Motors, Dominion Energy, Norfolk Southern, Atlantic Packaging, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Google, AFL, and Primo Brands.

Sustain SC's revenue model is a tiered membership subscription (Premium $20,000+, Corporate $10,000, Associate $5,000, Nonprofit $1,500), supplemented by corporate sponsorships, event ticket revenue, grants, and donations routed through the LAWAP corporate conservation fund. The go-to-market is membership-driven, with programmatic distribution through direct enterprise outreach, university partnerships, and events; distribution is domestic (Southeast U.S., focused exclusively on South Carolina). The organization is governed by a board chaired by Danny Kassis (Dominion Energy), led by CEO Leslie Skardon (appointed February 2024), and operates with a small core team supplemented by program staff across conservation, partnerships, marketing, and events functions.

Name

Sustain SC

Legal name

Sustain South Carolina

Website

https://sustainsouthcarolina.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sustain SC is a South Carolina nonprofit that convenes corporations, conservation groups, universities, and state agencies through tiered membership ($1,500-$20,000+) and programs including the SLI fellowship, the LAWAP corporate conservation fund, the Annual Symposium, and the statewide Sustainability Scorecard.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Sustainability Advisory and Convening Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)

Keywords

• Sustainability advisory services
• Conservation funding platform
• Corporate membership programs
• Leadership development fellowships
• Nonprofit convening services

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Sustain SC generates revenue primarily through tiered membership fees from corporate, associate, and nonprofit members. Membership tiers include Premium ($20,000+), Corporate ($10,000), Associate Member ($5,000), and Nonprofit ($1,500).

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sustain SC is a South Carolina statewide nonprofit that connects the sustainability goals of business with local conservation solutions through a portfolio of programming. Its core offerings include the Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI) fellowship, the Land and Water Action Platform (LAWAP) conservation funding program, the South Carolina Sustainability Scorecard, B2B Matchmaker events, the Annual Sustainability Symposium, Regional Supply Chain Workshops, and a tiered Membership Program that funds and provides access to these initiatives.

Product overview

Sustain SC operates as a nonprofit organization at the intersection of commerce and conservation, offering a platform of interconnected programs and initiatives rather than a single unified product. The core offerings include the Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI), a six-month fellowship program in partnership with Furman University; the Land and Water Action Platform (LAWAP), a conservation funding initiative connecting corporate investment with land protection outcomes; and the South Carolina Sustainability Scorecard, a statewide data collection initiative. Supporting programs include B2B Matchmaker Events and B2SN (Business to Student Networking) Events for workforce and supplier connections; Building Sustainability Champions educator training; the Annual Sustainability Symposium flagship conference; Regional Supply Chain Workshops; and Cross-Sector Energy Forums. The organization also offers a tiered Membership Program (Premium, Corporate, Associate, Nonprofit) providing access to these programs and accelerator engagements. The portfolio works together to advance sustainability across South Carolina's economy, environment, and communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI) A six-month professional leadership development program developed in partnership with Furman University's Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities, designed to cultivate skills and insights needed to lead sustainability efforts through cross-boundary dialogue, field sessions, and experiential learning. Fellows graduate as certified Sustainability Leadership Fellows and join an active alumni network.
• Land and Water Action Platform (LAWAP) A conservation funding initiative that connects corporate investment with tangible conservation outcomes across South Carolina by creating a private-sector fund to accelerate conservation land deals. The platform awards grants to nonprofit organizations focused on land and water conservation, covering real estate expenses critical to moving conservation deals forward.
• South Carolina Sustainability Scorecard A strategic initiative designed to collect and present statewide sustainability data across four key categories: Energy, Circularity, Water, and Conservation. Provides actionable insights for business leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders to make informed decisions that align economic development with environmental responsibility.
• B2B Matchmaker Events Business-to-Business networking events co-hosted with the South Carolina Department of Commerce that connect sustainability-focused suppliers with buyers seeking to meet emissions reduction goals. Events feature 15-minute one-on-one sessions between vetted suppliers and OEMs/Tier 1 companies.
• Business to Student Networking (B2SN) Events Interactive networking sessions designed to connect students with professionals from Sustain SC's sustainability network, offering structured networking and real-life insights into careers in energy, engineering, and environmental sustainability. Partnered with South Carolina colleges including Coastal Carolina University, College of Charleston, Darla Moore School of Business, Furman University, and South Carolina State University.
• Building Sustainability Champions An immersive educator training program funded by the Bosch Community Foundation, designed to help high school science teachers bring sustainability into the classroom. Features a sea turtle human impact curriculum developed with the South Carolina Aquarium, including hands-on activities like plant tours, harbor expeditions, and oyster reef restoration projects.
• Annual Sustainability Symposium Sustain SC's flagship annual conference bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and conservation experts for panels, discussions, and hands-on learning at the intersection of commerce and conservation. Features keynote speakers, featured panels, networking opportunities, and pre-symposium activities including B2B Matchmaker and farm tours.
• Regional Supply Chain Workshops A three-part workshop series helping small-to-medium-sized suppliers understand sustainability reporting, strengthen supply chain risk and resilience strategies, and build valuable in-state business connections. Workshops cover educating suppliers on responding to sustainability questionnaires, engaging value chain partners on compliance, and connecting SC businesses with in-state suppliers.
• Membership Program Tiered membership program with four levels (Premium at $20,000+, Corporate at $10,000, Associate at $5,000, Nonprofit at $1,500) offering benefits including event access, accelerator engagement, SLI participation, supply chain programs, and marketing amplification.
• Cross-Sector Energy Forums Quarterly roundtable sessions engaging energy stakeholders, industry representatives, agribusiness, legislators, conservation NGOs, and economic developers to address energy challenges facing South Carolina and discuss solutions for a resilient energy future.
• Biodiversity Workshop Series Educational workshops exploring the connection between biodiversity, economic resilience, workforce well-being, and sustainable business practices. Features expert panels, case studies, and breakout discussions on how South Carolina businesses can act on biodiversity connections.
• Stronger Together: 2 Schools, 1 Future A youth leadership development program launched as a capstone project through The Riley Institute's Diversity Leadership Initiative that builds leadership skills, fosters inclusivity, and instills civic responsibility in students by bringing together schools from different backgrounds for structured team-building experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13,305 acres of land and water protected through LAWAP grants in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and minor.

• The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Developed in partnership with The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University, the Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI) is an innovative leadership development program using cross-boundary dialogue, field sessions, and experiential learning to enhance skills and equip fellows to enact positive change. The program runs January through June annually with sixth session planned for 2026.
• South Carolina Department of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustain SC works alongside the SC Department of Commerce to identify opportunities that elevate R&D, accelerate sustainable manufacturing, and strengthen infrastructure. They co-host B2B events and supplier matchmaking events to connect sustainability-minded suppliers with corporations.
• South Carolina Office of ResiliencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustain SC collaborates with the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) to focus on land and water protection through nature-based solutions. The partnership works with businesses and conservation organizations to reduce risk and protect natural and cultural heritage.
• Darla Moore School of BusinesskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business to promote sustainability and workforce development. They partner on B2SN events and conducted a study of 54 largest employers in SC on sustainability goals.
• South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCMEP collaborated with ALL4 and Sustain SC to develop the Sustainability Resource Guide (SRG), a practical framework for South Carolina manufacturers to navigate sustainability requirements, compliance, and competitive positioning.
• Coca-Cola ConsolidatedkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerSustain SC member and circular economy partner. Coca-Cola Consolidated partnered with Atlantic Packaging on a closed-loop recycling pilot program for stretch film, demonstrating how strategic partnerships drive circularity goals.
• Atlantic PackagingkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerSustain SC member and LAWAP investor. Atlantic Packaging partnered with Coca-Cola Consolidated on stretch film recycling and supports Sustain SC events and programs.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner on conservation polling and LAWAP governance. The Nature Conservancy's SC Executive Director serves as Sustain SC Board Chair. They co-commission statewide GOP voter polls on conservation support.
• Central EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Sustain SC's Annual Sustainability Symposium in Columbia, SC.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SustainSouthCarolina
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sustainsc
• Instagraminstagram.com/sustain_sc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sustainsc
• Xx.com/_sustain_sc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sustain SC