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.
Form
990
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.
Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
---|---|---|---|
Andrea Cooper Executive Di | Officer | 40 | $128,401 |
Aldon Knight Development | 40 | $124,545 | |
Joy Dickerson Financial Di | Officer | 40 | $91,513 |
John Keith Chair | OfficerTrustee | 0.5 | $0 |
Allen Jacoby Vice Chair | OfficerTrustee | 0.5 | $0 |
Tom Kester Treasurer | OfficerTrustee | 0.5 | $0 |
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 |
Statement of Expenses | |
---|---|
Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $101,250 |
Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $92,000 |
Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $240,064 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $126,094 |
Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
Other salaries and wages | $1,481,713 |
Pension plan accruals and contributions | $41,007 |
Other employee benefits | $61,077 |
Payroll taxes | $128,180 |
Fees for services: Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Legal | $0 |
Fees for services: Accounting | $19,700 |
Fees for services: Lobbying | $56,361 |
Fees for services: Fundraising | $165,000 |
Fees for services: Investment Management | $24,589 |
Fees for services: Other | $323,408 |
Advertising and promotion | $0 |
Office expenses | $52,308 |
Information technology | $111,669 |
Royalties | $0 |
Occupancy | $33,028 |
Travel | $36,054 |
Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $41,060 |
Interest | $0 |
Payments to affiliates | $0 |
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $21,736 |
Insurance | $44,439 |
All other expenses | $80,031 |
Total functional expenses | $3,162,353 |
Balance Sheet | |
---|---|
Cash—non-interest-bearing | $500,873 |
Savings and temporary cash investments | $1,161,053 |
Pledges and grants receivable | $1,540,442 |
Accounts receivable, net | $0 |
Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $1,562 |
Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $555,903 |
Investments—publicly traded securities | $5,664,390 |
Investments—other securities | $17,974 |
Investments—program-related | $0 |
Intangible assets | $0 |
Other assets | $16,803 |
Total assets | $9,459,000 |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $81,807 |
Grants payable | $0 |
Deferred revenue | $0 |
Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Other liabilities | $0 |
Total liabilities | $81,807 |
Net assets without donor restrictions | $4,874,505 |
Net assets with donor restrictions | $4,502,688 |
Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $9,459,000 |
Over the last fiscal year, Upstate Forever has awarded $88,000 in support to 4 organizations.
Grant Recipient | Amount |
---|---|
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 |