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PO BOX 1380
Pawleys Isl SC 29585-1380
Pawleys Isl SC | IRS ruling year: 1996 | EIN: 57-1031430
TO PROTECT THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA BY PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES AND ADVICE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS AND BY IMPROVING TH ... (More)
TO PROTECT THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA BY PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES AND ADVICE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS AND BY IMPROVING THE STATE'S SYSTEM OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION. (Less)
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This charity's score is 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 85% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 5% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for South Carolina Environmental Law Project Inc. is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
South Carolina Environmental Law Project Inc. has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2020, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
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Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 12/12 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 12/12 - 25/25 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Has Audit/Review - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Has Audit/Review - 20/20 pts
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website - Listed - 3/3 ptsWebsite - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 2.47% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 2.47% - 15/15 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 70.97% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 70.97% - 25/25 pts
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Public interest litigation activities (BMF activity code: 460)
Combating or preventing pollution (air, water, etc) (BMF activity code: 351)
Described in section 170(b)1)(a)(vi) of the Code (BMF activity code: 994)
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (South Carolina Environmental Law Project Inc.) or EIN (571031430) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
South Carolina Environmental Law Project Inc. reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
It significantly depressed the special event revenue. Also, in 2020 a few major donors significantly reduced or entirely withdrew their support, to focus more on health-related issues as well as food & shelter, but overall we had a good year and, thanks to the federal PPP loan, we managed to meet our budget.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
While much of the way we all work has changed due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, the demand for our work has not. As a legal service provider, SCELP is considered an essential service and our many active cases have largely maintained the course through the pandemic. However, most public hearings moved online. Both our outreach to and advocacy fro frontline and vulnerable communities and their capacity to engage with local government and state agencies was significantly diminished.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
The major impact from the pandemic for us was the social distancing requirements and navigating mandatory in-person work requirements. Early on, we put almost the entire staff on a remote work schedule, but thanks to our limited size and additional flexibility offered by two offices on the coast, we managed to go back to almost normal by June 2020. We have since kept some staff on a rotating in-person/at-home schedule to minimize the office "congestion." On the other hand, Board meetings and interactions have been exclusively online for over a year and resumed in person only in May 2021.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
Zoom meetings are here to stay, as well as a flexible work policy we recently adopted learning from the increased remote work done since the outbreak.
Not Currently Scored
South Carolina Environmental Law Project Inc. cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
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South Carolina Environmental Law Project Inc. reported its largest program on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
EACH PROGRAM AREA INCLUDES LEGAL ADVICE AND CONSULTATION, LEGAL ADVOCACY TO IMPROVE PROJECTS AND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS WITHOUT THE NEED FOR LITIGATION, AND FORMAL LEGAL CHALLENGES AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIO ... (More)
EACH PROGRAM AREA INCLUDES LEGAL ADVICE AND CONSULTATION, LEGAL ADVOCACY TO IMPROVE PROJECTS AND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS WITHOUT THE NEED FOR LITIGATION, AND FORMAL LEGAL CHALLENGES AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS. SERVICE AREA DESCRIPTIONS: COASTAL MANAGEMENT - OUR WORLD'S LANDSCAPE IS EVOLVING ESPECIALLY OUR COASTS. OUR TEAM SEEKS TO IMPROVE AND PROTECT OUR VITAL COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS, WHILE ADVOCATING FOR DECISIONS THAT ACCOUNT FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE RISING SEA LEVEL. WATER AND WETLANDS - WATER IS ONE OF OUR MOST VITAL AND PRECIOUS RESOURCES. OUR TEAM SEEKS TO PREVENT POLLUTION AND THE DIMINISHING OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S FRESHWATER RESOURCES AND ENSURE OUR STATE'S WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY REMAIN INTACT. WILDLIFE AND HABITAT CONSERVATION - WE BELIEVE IN ADVOCATING FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES. THAT'S WHY OUR TEAM SEEKS TO LIMIT OR MITIGATE MAN-MADE IMPACTS ON SOUTH CAROLINA'S WILDLIFE AND THEIR HABITATS. LANDFILLS, NUCLEAR AND TOXIC WASTE - THERE IS AN OVER-ABUNDANCE OF SOLID WASTE LANDFILLS IN SOUTH CAROLINA. WE SEEK TO STRENGTHEN THE REGULATORY PROCESS FOR PERMITTING THESE FACILITIES AND TO IMPROVE HAZARDOUS AND RADIOACTIVE NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT. (Less)
South Carolina Environmental Law Project Inc. has earned a 100% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
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Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 ptsConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 pts
100% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
Who are the people you serve with your mission? Describe briefly.
Especially when representing other advocates, our clients are our partners in pursuing environmental protection and justice. We have worked with virtually all conservation players in the state, small and large, as well as with several community groups, local governments and individual concerned citizens. Yet, it is difficult to exactly pinpoint our beneficiaries because we aim to take cases and engage on issues that will have far-reaching and long-term impacts for all who live, work and play in our state. We are a public interest law firm and, as such, we believe that the entire population of South Carolina benefits either directly or indirectly as a result of improved protection and conservation of healthy natural systems.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Community meetings or town halls, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
Our staff, Our board, Our funders
How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship with them or shifted power - over decisions, resources, rules or in other ways - to them?
The power dynamics in the Client-Attorney relationship is somewhat unique, and particularly so in public interest lawyering. Historically, the size/funding of the each party has been the dominant factor (the bigger org, has the more power), but more intentional engagement with clients, especially but not exclusively with frontline and vulnerable communities, is creating some realignment. We are not at times more in charge, even with bigger groups, but we are certainly particularly careful and respectful of individuals and communities with long history of discrimination and oppression.
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time, It is difficult to identify actionable feedback
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
Internal client management protocols upgrades.
Equity Practices - No Data Available - UnscoredEquity Practices - No Data Available - Unscored
This organization has not provided information regarding the Equity Practices it is presently implementing. As such, the organization has not earned a score on this metric. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
South Carolina Environmental Law Project Inc. has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableMission - 10/10 ptsMission - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
We use our legal expertise to protect land, water and communities across South Carolina.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Our land, water and communities are protected and South Carolina laws and policies prioritize natural systems that sustain life. In the face of the worsening climate crisis and escalating loss of wildlife, habitat, and healthy ecosystems, SCELP will carry on its mission by pursuing across the state the three programmatic goals listed below.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals - 20/20 ptsGoals - 20/20 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Protect life-sustaining natural systems.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Goal Two: Protect water from current and future threats.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: Advance environmental justice.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Mindful of Gus Speth’s warning (“we are winning many battles, but we are losing the planet”,) in 2021 we undertook the most extensive strategic planning to date and recognized that SCELP needs to go beyond a legal framework that sanction environmental destruction, instead of prioritizing life-sustaining natural systems. We retained professional consultant to guide a 4+ month planning process (rather than merely facilitating our triennial strategic board retreat), working closely with both staff and board leadership as well as conducting an extensive stakeholder engagement to lay our a new vision and core priorities for the next several years.
Mobilizing for Mission - 15/15 ptsMobilizing for Mission - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
We have strategic and longterm partnerships with many of our major clients, especially among the local and national environmental organizations we represent. Our attorneys often speak at conferences or workshop, often developing specialistic continuing education initiatives for other legal professionals. We are active members of both local and statewide formally organized coalitions advancing environmental protection and justice in our state. We have significantly increased our communications capacity in the last several years, including the hiring of part and full time staff.
Adaptability Story - 30/30 ptsAdaptability Story - 30/30 pts
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Having fared the pandemic disruption reasonably well on both programmatic and support functions and activities, we seized the opportunity created by the Covid "slowdown" to anticipate our strategic review and to lay the groundwork of the next few decades of work and impact. Our founder’s ever-growing legacy is testament to how important is to have a destination in mind, no matter how unpopular or challenging when undertaken (practicing public interest environmental law was plenty radical in Georgetown, SC in the ‘80s). Jimmy Chandler was already a successful litigator when he decided to take on the “Project”. Amy Armstrong took on as Executive Director upon Jimmy’s untimely passing in 2010 and has since steadily grown size and impact of our operations. Looking ahead, the new strategic plan is reviving the crusading and trailblazing spirit which is in the DNA of our organization, painting a more strategic/intentional approach to our goals, a re-focused, clearcut and unapologetic Project that will keep making a difference well beyond SCELP's 4th decade of service.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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