Upstate Forever

Organization Overview

Upstate Forever is located in Greenville, SC. The organization was established in 1998. According to its NTEE Classification (C01) the organization is classified as: Alliances & Advocacy, under the broad grouping of Environment and related organizations. As of 12/2023, Upstate Forever employed 30 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Upstate Forever is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.

For the year ending 12/2023, Upstate Forever generated $4.6m in total revenue. This represents relatively stable growth, over the past 9 years the organization has increased revenue by an average of 1.2% each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $3.2m during the year ending 12/2023. While expenses have increased by 4.4% per year over the past 9 years. They've been increasing with an increasing level of total revenue. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.

Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing

TAX YEAR

2023

Describe the Organization's Mission:

Part 3 - Line 1

UPSTATE FOREVER IS A CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION TO PROTECT CRITICAL LANDS, WATERS, AND THE UNIQUE CHARACTER OF THE UPSTATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Describe the Organization's Program Activity:

Part 3 - Line 4a

UPSTATE FOREVER ADVOCATES FOR PROJECTS THAT IMPACT THE UPSTATE COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE SALUDA GRADE TRAIL PROJECT, ADMINISTRATION OF THE UPSTATE LAND CONSERVATION FUND (ULCF), THE ENERGY AND STATE POLICY PROGRAM THAT MAINTAINS A LEGISLATIVE FOCUS OF KEEPING UPSTATE CITIZENS AWARE OF ISSUES THAT AFFECT DAILY LIFE AND THE HEALTH OF THE UPSTATE COMMUNITY.


IN 2023 LAND PLANNING AND POLICY STAFF ENGAGED WITH LOCAL ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS AND GOVERNMENT STAFF ON ISSUES RELATED TO SMARTER LAND DEVELOPMENT, WITH A PRIMARY FOCUS ON ADVANCING POLICIES THAT IMPLEMENT CITY AND COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLANS. THEY PARTNERED ON EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS WITH TRANSIT AND HOUSING ADVOCATES AND FACILITATED A CITIZENS PLANNING ACADEMY TO EDUCATE RESIDENTS ON LOCAL LAND USE POLICIES AND AVENUES TO INFLUENCE DECISION-MAKING. SOCIAL MEDIA AND DEDICATED EMAIL LISTS WERE USED TO ENGAGE AND ACTIVATE RESIDENTS. THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED THE ADOPTION OF A NEW CITY OF GREENVILLE DEVELOPMENT CODE, A UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE IN THE CITY OF GREER, A NEW ZONING ORDINANCE IN THE CITY OF WOODRUFF, AND AN IMPROVED TREE AND LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE IN THE CITY OF ANDERSON. CITIZENS WERE MOBILIZED TO INFLUENCE THE CITY OF GREENVILLE'S PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT CODE AND TO ADVANCE STRENGTHENED REQUIREMENTS FOR RIPARIAN BUFFERS IN GREENVILLE COUNTY. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PARTICIPATED IN OTHER LOCAL PLANNING AND POLICY EFFORTS IN THE CITY OF SPARTANBURG AND SPARTANBURG COUNTY.


THE UPSTATE FOREVER LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM IS ACCREDITED BY THE LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION COMMISSION AND HAS PROTECTED 30,956 ACRES THORUGH 163 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS IN THE UPSTATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 23% OF THE EASEMENTS PROVIDE PUBLIC ACCESS AND 29% ARE WORKING FARMS. IN 2023, UPSTATE FOREVER HELPED TO PRESERVE 13 PROJECTS TOTALING ABOUT 737 ACRES AND INITIATED A LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO HELP RESTORE HABITAT ON CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROPERTIES.


IN 2023, THE CLEAN WATER PROGRAM COLLABORATED WITH DRINKING WATER UTILITIES IN PICKENS AND ANDERSON COUNTIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA TO DEVELOP A SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PLAN IN THE TWELVEMILE CREEK WATERSHED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CLEMSON UNIVERSITY'S CENTER FOR WATERSHED EXCELLENCE TO DEVISE POLLUTION REDUCTION STRATEGIES IN THESE AREAS. THE ORGANIZATION WORKED WITH PARTNERS TO INSTALL A VARIETY OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO REDUCE WATER POLLUTION AND PERMANENTLY PROTECT LAND IN THE TYGER RIVER WATERSHED IN GREENVILLE AND SPARTANBURG COUNTIES AND IN THE THREE AND TWENTY CREEK WATERSHED IN ANDERSON AND PICKENS COUNTIES. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE WATER PLAN AND SERVED ON THE BROAD, SALUDA, AND UPPER SAVANNAH RIVER BASIN COUNCILS TO DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE WATER RESOURCE ALLOCATION PLAN FOR RIVER BASINS IN UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE TYGER RIVER FOUNDATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RECREATIONAL MASTER PLAN FOR THE TYGER RIVER RECREATION COORIDOR IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO SERVED ON THE BOARDS OF THE LAKE KEOWEE SOURCE WATER PROTECTION TEAM, THE LAKE HARTWELL PARTNERS FOR CLEAN WATER AND PARTNERED WITH THE REEDY RIVER WATER QUALITY GROUP TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE REEDY RIVER WATERSHED THROUGH LOCAL ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, AND PROJECT ENGAGEMENT.


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Board, Officers & Key Employees

Name (title)Compensation
Andrea Cooper
Executive Di
$128,401
Aldon Knight
Development
$124,545
Joy Dickerson
Financial Di
$91,513
John Keith
Chair
$0
Allen Jacoby
Vice Chair
$0
Tom Kester
Treasurer
$0

Financial Statements

Statement of Revenue
Federated campaigns$0
Membership dues$189,656
Fundraising events$0
Related organizations$0
Government grants $241,586
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above$3,929,499
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f $451,874
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar$4,360,741
Total Program Service Revenue$17,000
Investment income $205,350
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Net Rental Income $0
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales $0
Net Income from Fundraising Events $0
Net Income from Gaming Activities $0
Net Income from Sales of Inventory $0
Miscellaneous Revenue$0
Total Revenue $4,583,091

Grants Awarded

Over the last fiscal year, Upstate Forever has awarded $88,000 in support to 4 organizations.

Grant RecipientAmount

HLC PROPERTIES

PURPOSE: EASEMENT ASSISTANCE

$25,000

THE HAPPY BERRY LLC

PURPOSE: EASEMENT ASSISTANCE

$23,000

NATURALAND TRUST

PURPOSE: EASEMENT ASSISTANCE

$30,000

UPPER SAVANNAH LAND TRUST

PURPOSE: EASEMENT ASSISTANCE

$10,000
View Grant Profile

Peer Organizations

Organization NameAssets
North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association
Raleigh, NC
$2,485,158
Upstate Forever
Greenville, SC
$4,583,091
Conservation Trust For North Carolina
Raleigh, NC
$3,276,363
Palmetto Pride The Governors Council On Beautification & Litter
Columbia, SC
$2,084,900
Dogwood Alliance Inc
Asheville, NC
$2,749,505
Mountaintrue
Asheville, NC
$2,463,921
Nc Warn Incorporated
Durham, NC
$2,456,614
Evhybridnoire Inc
Smyrna, GA
$2,543,475
North Carolina Conservation Network
Raleigh, NC
$3,410,180
East Coast Greenway Alliance Inc
Durham, NC
$2,353,789
South Carolina Environmental Law Project Inc
Pawleys Island, SC
$3,659,496
Georgia Conservancy Inc
Atlanta, GA
$2,325,614
Friends Of Congaree Swamp
Columbia, SC
$1,037,212
Sound Rivers Inc
Washington, NC
$1,092,339
Environmental Federation Of North Carolina Inc
Durham, NC
$743,592
North Carolina Climate Justice Collective
Durham, NC
$832,886
Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League Inc
Boone, NC
$960,166
Cape Fear River Watch
Wilmington, NC
$829,258
Oxygen Short Inc
Atlanta, GA
-$289,258
Institute For Georgia Environmental Leadership Inc
Atlanta, GA
$435,133
Upstate Greenways And Trails Alliance
Greenville, SC
$5,354,412
Climate Changemakers
Raleigh, NC
$419,263
Clean Water For North Carolina Inc
Mocksville, NC
$301,437
River Alliance
Columbia, SC
$292,094
Keep Albany Dougherty Beautiful
Albany, GA
$257,668

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