Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
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Total |
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Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
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(a) 2017 | (b) 2018 | (c) 2019 | (d) 2020 | (e) 2021 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 1,174,725 | 1,613,938 | 2,210,089 | 2,345,750 | 3,846,769 | 11,191,271 |
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | 1,174,725 | 1,613,938 | 2,210,089 | 2,345,750 | 3,846,769 | 11,191,271 |
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f) .. | 1,221,699 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 9,969,572 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
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(a) 2017 | (b) 2018 | (c) 2019 | (d) 2020 | (e) 2021 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 1,174,725 | 1,613,938 | 2,210,089 | 2,345,750 | 3,846,769 | 11,191,271 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 629 | 1,001 | 1,132 | 2,163 | 2,224 | 7,149 |
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | ||||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 11,198,420 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2017 | (b) 2018 | (c) 2019 | (d) 2020 | (e) 2021 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513 ..... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5 | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2017 | (b) 2018 | (c) 2019 | (d) 2020 | (e) 2021 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included on line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
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| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 0.015 of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by 0.035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | 1 | |
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2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2021 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2021 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2021 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2021 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
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2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2021 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI). See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2021: | ||||
| a From 2016....... | ||||
| b From 2017....... | ||||
| c From 2018....... | ||||
| d From 2019....... | ||||
| e From 2020....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2021 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2016 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2021 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2021 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2021, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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6
Remaining underdistributions for 2021. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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7 Excess distributions carryover to 2022. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2017..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2018..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION | TO PROTECT HEIRS' PROPERTY AND PROMOTE THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF LAND TO PROVIDE INCREASED ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO HISTORICALLY UNDER-SERVED AND LOW- WEALTH FAMILIES THROUGH LEGAL AND FORESTRY EDUCATION AND SERVICES. HEIRS' PROPERTY (HP) IS LAND THAT IS OWNED IN COMMON BY MULTIPLE FAMILY MEMBERS. IN THE LOWCOUNTRY OF SC, MUCH OF THIS LAND IS OWNED BY AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES, WHO PASSED DOWN THEIR LAND WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A WILL, SO IT BECAME HEIRS' PROPERTY. THIS IS AN UNSTABLE AND RISKY WAY TO OWN LAND BECAUSE IT IS EASILY LOST. THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE HP ISSUES IS THROUGH A LEGAL PROCESS, WHICH MANY HP FAMILIES CANNOT AFFORD. THE CENTER HELPS PREVENT THE LOSS OF HEIRS' PROPERTY BY PROVIDING LEGAL EDUCATION AND DIRECT SERVICES AND PROMOTES THE WEALTH-BUILDING ASSET OF LAND OWNERSHIP THROUGH SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY EDUCATION AND SERVICES. FORESTRY IS A 21 BILLION INDUSTRY IN SC. RAMPANT DEVELOPMENT ACUTELY THREATENS HEIRS' PROPERTY (HP) ACROSS SC. TAXES AND LAND VALUES CONTINUE TO INCREASE. HP FAMILIES ARE MORE LIKELY, AND ABLE, TO KEEP THEIR FAMILY LAND AND PASS IT DOWN TO THE NEXT GENERATION IF IT IS PROTECTED AND ECONOMICALLY PRODUCTIVE. THE SUCCESSFUL IMPACT OF THE CENTER'S WORK IN 2021 IS NOT ONLY MEASURED IN NUMBERS (QUANTITATIVELY) BUT QUALITATIVELY, AS WELL. QUALITATIVE IMPACT IS MEASURED IN CHANGES IN ATTITUDE, BEHAVIOR AND ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE FAMILIES WITH WHOM WE WORK. OUR TARGET AUDIENCE IS PREDOMINANTLY RURAL, OFTEN LOW WEALTH, HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED AFRICAN AMERICAN LANDOWNERS WHO HAVE BEEN TRADITIONALLY LEFT OUT OF THE EDUCATION AND PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED THEM AS LANDOWNERS. IN SOME CASES, IT RESULTED IN THEM LOSING THEIR LAND. WHEN ONE OF OUR CLIENTS WAS ASKED WHY HIS FATHER DID NOT KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE FAMILY LAND - "MY FATHER WAS NOT WELCOME WHERE THEY MIGHT HAVE FOUND OUT." WHEN THESE LANDOWNERS COME INTO THE CENTER, THEY SHARE SOME CHARACTERISTICS. THEY ARE DISTRUSTFUL, AFRAID OF LOSING THEIR LAND, SKEPTICAL OF ANYONE OFFERING HELP, STRUGGLING WITH OWNERSHIP OF LAND WITH WHICH THEY CAN DO VERY LITTLE TO BENEFIT THEIR FAMILY, NOT INCLINED TO CHANGE THE STATUS QUO, CONFUSED ABOUT HEIRS' PROPERTY AND RELUCTANT TO ACT. WITH ACCESS TO EDUCATION, TOOLS, PROGRAMS AND EXPERTS PROVIDED BY THE CENTER, THESE FAMILIES INCREASE THEIR CONFIDENCE, PRIDE AND SENSE OF SELF- DETERMINATION AND BELIEF IN THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT PROTECTING THEIR LAND AND REALIZING THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF LANDOWNERSHIP. THEY ARE ALSO PROUD TO BE HONORING THEIR ANCESTORS' LEGACY BY TRANSFORMING THEIR LAND INTO A WEALTH-BUILDING ASSET FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. EMPOWERMENT HAS BEEN OVERUSED BUT, IN THIS INSTANCE, IT IS 100% ACCURATE, AND IT IS CHANGING THE FACE OF PERSISTENT POVERTY ACROSS OUR 18-COUNTY SERVICE AREA - ONE FAMILY AT A TIME. |
| FORM 990, PART III | FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A - FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT THE CENTER IS CONTINUING TO OVERCOME THE LIMITATIONS BROUGHT ON BY COVID- 19, WHICH HAS ALTERED HOW THE CENTER INTERACTS WITH ITS HP OWNERS, AS REFLECTED IN THE NUMBERS ABOVE. ALTHOUGH THE CENTER BEGAN CONDUCTING LEGAL INTAKES VIA PHONE, IT BEGAN TO RECEIVE MORE REQUESTS TO PROVIDE ADVICE AND COUNSEL TO PEOPLE WHOSE LAND IS IN SC, BUT THEY LIVE IN ANOTHER STATE (I.E., ABSENTEE LANDOWNERS). AS THE CENTER'S NOTORIETY GREW AND VIRTUAL OUTREACH BECAME THE NORM, MORE OUT OF STATE INTAKES WHO DO NOT QUALIFY AS CLIENTS WERE CONDUCTED. ALMOST ONE OUT OF FIVE INTAKES WERE CONDUCTED WITH ABSENTEE LANDOWNERS-A 53% INCREASE FROM 2020. ALTHOUGH THE PANDEMIC WAS ONGOING, THE CENTER'S STAFF WAS ABLE TO CONDUCT WILLS CLINICS DUE TO THE STAFF'S INNOVATIVE CREATION OF "DRIVE THRU" WILLS CLINICS WHERE LANDOWNERS RECEIVED A QUESTIONNAIRE BY MAIL TO PREPARE THEM TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER A STAFF ATTORNEY'S ESTATE QUESTIONS OVER THE PHONE. THE RESPONSES TO THESE QUESTIONS WERE USED TO CREATE THEIR WILLS, WHICH WERE REVIEWED AND EXECUTED WHILE THE LANDOWNERS REMAINED IN THEIR CARS IN A PARKING LOT. HEIRS' PROPERTY STORY A THANK YOU NOTE 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING ON A SATURDAY MORNING IN FEBRUARY AT THE SECOND MT. BEULAH BAPTIST CHURCH IN ST. MATHEWS, SOUTH CAROLINA. COMMUNITY MEMBERS WERE INVITED TO A FREE HEIRS' PROPERTY SEMINAR. THEY INTENTLY LISTENED AND ASKED QUESTIONS TO OUTREACH LIAISON DORLISA ADAMS, FORESTER DAVID BOURGEOIS, AND ATTORNEY AASHINI SHRIVASTAV, LEARNING ABOUT BOTH LEGAL AND FORESTRY RESOURCES THE CENTER COULD PROVIDE AND HOW THAT COULD HELP CREATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH. IN PARTICULAR, ONE PERSON, A YOUNG LADY IN THE AUDIENCE, LEARNED SOMETHING VALUABLE THAT HELPED HER, AND HER FAMILY UNLOCK AND RESOLVE AN ISSUE OVER TWO DECADES OLD. WE WANTED TO SHARE HER THANK YOU NOTE TO THE CENTER BELOW. "GOOD MORNING I HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL. YOU CAME TO ST. MATTHEWS A FEW WEEKS AGO TO SECOND MT. BEULAH BAPTIST CHURCH AND DID A SEMINAR. I WAS THE YOUNG LADY THAT ASKED ABOUT WHY THE PROPERTY WOULD BE IN HEIRS PROPERTY IF THE WILL STATED WHO IT WAS TO GO TO. WELL, I FOUND OUT IT WAS AN ERROR ON THE PROBATE COURT. THEY DID NOT FILE THE PAPERWORK CORRECTLY. THEY HAD IT AS ALL THREE CHILDREN INSTEAD OF THE ONE CHILD IT WAS WILLED TO AND THE WILL CLEARLY STATED IT. THE WILL WAS ALSO ATTACHED. THEREFORE, A REVISED DEVISE/DESCENT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE MATTER. IT TOOK 20 YEARS AND MORE THAN 5 ATTEMPTS OF INQUIRY TO GET IT CORRECTED, FINALLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. HAVE A GREAT WEEK" CASSANDRA, LANDOWNER FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B - SECOND ACCOMPLISHMENT -50 LANDOWNERS BECAME INTERESTED IN STARTING FORESTRY ENTERPRISES. -15 HULOS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 302,219K IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (USDA/NRCS) ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM (EQIP) AND OTHER PROGRAMS TO IMPLEMENT THEIR FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANS. THE FORESTRY INTAKES FOR 2021 REMAINED STABLE; HOWEVER, THE PROVISION OF ONE-ON-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INCREASED MORE THAN 200% THAN THAT PROJECTED. THE CENTER CONTINUED TO FACE THE CHALLENGE OF GETTING PRIVATE FOREST CONSULTANTS AND CONTRACTORS TO WORK WITH OUR SMALL ACREAGE LOS BECAUSE THERE IS LITTLE FINANCIAL INCENTIVE. TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY AND PRICING OF CHEMICAL SITE PREPARATION TREATMENTS FOR OUR LOS, WE BUNDLED 11 LOS TOGETHER WITH ONE CHEMICAL SALESPERSON/FORESTER WHO OUTSOURCES THE WORK TO OTHER CHEMICAL CONTRACTORS. DESPITE REPEATED ASSURANCES THAT THE WORK WOULD GET DONE, THE CHEMICAL SALESPERSON DID NOT GET ANY SITES TREATED. THIS RESULTED IN MANY LOS NOT GETTING THEIR TRACTS REPLANTED AS SCHEDULED. WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME LOS SITES PREPARED FOR PLANTING ON TIME, BUT THE PLANTING CONDITIONS WERE LESS THAN OPTIMUM. THIS SITUATION IS REPRESENTATIVE OF WHAT HAPPENS TO SMALL ACREAGES LOS WHO ARE NOT A PRIORITY FOR CONTRACTORS EVEN WHEN BUNDLED TO INCREASE THE ECONOMIES OF SCALE. FORESTRY STORY LANDOWNER ENGAGEMENT CENTER FORESTER DAVID BOURGEOIS MET LANDOWNER RONALD RICHARDS ON HIS PROPERTY EARLIER THIS YEAR. A PHOTO WAS TAKEN OF MR. RICHARDS STANDING PROUDLY NEXT TO HIS TREES AFTER JUST TWO GROWING SEASONS. MANY OF THE TWO- YEAR-OLD TREES ARE NOW TALLER THAN MR. RICHARDS MR. RICHARDS WILL BE INSTALLING A POLLINATOR PLOT NEXT SPRING WITH FUNDS FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROJECT. HE WANTED TO TAKE SOIL SAMPLES AND SEND THEM TO CLEMSON EXTENSION TO SEE IF HIS SITE IS DEFICIENT IN ANY PARTICULAR NUTRIENTS. THE PROCESS INVOLVES COLLECTING ABOUT TEN SMALL CORES AND MIXING THEM IN A BUCKET. YOU THEN DRY THE SOIL AND FILL A SPECIALLY LABELED BOX PROVIDED BY CLEMSON EXTENSION FOR THIS PURPOSE. THEY WILL THEN PERFORM A VERY COST- EFFECTIVE SOIL ANALYSIS. SIMPLY TELL THEM WHAT YOU WISH TO GROW, AND THEY WILL RECOMMEND ANY NUTRIENTS TO ADD FOR THAT PARTICULAR CROP. THE CENTER APPRECIATES OUR HARD-WORKING LANDOWNERS. ALL OF OUR TALENTED FORESTERS ENJOY WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C - THIRD ACCOMPLISHMENT AS MORE PEOPLE MOVE TO CHARLESTON COUNTY, THE NEED FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT THREATENS EXISTING CULTURAL RESOURCES. DESPITE THE CHALLENGES AND RECENT DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGING LAND USES WITHIN CHARLESTON COUNTY'S HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES, OWNERSHIP AND CONNECTIONS TO THE LAND REMAIN A VITAL COMPONENT OF THEIR GULLAH IDENTITY. THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE GULLAH CULTURAL TRADITIONS IN THE LOWCOUNTRY WERE EXTENDED FAMILY ASSOCIATIONS, RELIGION AND STRONG CONNECTIONS TO THE LAND. CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES SERVED AS CENTRAL LAND WITHIN THESE COMMUNITIES. HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADVOCATES STATED THAT CEMETERIES AND AFRICAN AMERICAN BUILDING AND SITES ARE THE MOST THREATENED TYPES OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES IN THE STATE. DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF RECENT DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGING LAND USES WITHIN CHARLESTON COUNTY'S HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES, OWNERSHIP AND CONNECTIONS TO THE LAND REMAIN A VITAL COMPONENT OF THEIR GULLAH IDENTITY. HENCE, THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROPOSED PROJECT IS TO PRESERVE GULLAH HISTORY IN CHARLESTON COUNTY BY (1) DOCUMENTING HOW GENTRIFICATION/DEVELOPMENT HAS ERADICATED THE HISTORY AND CULTURE IN THESE COMMUNITIES AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT FURTHER EROSION AND (2) INFORMING THE PUBLIC OF THE UNIQUE CHARACTER AND CULTURE IN THESE GULLAH COMMUNITIES, SPECIFICALLY BUILDING/STRUCTURES, CEMETERIES AND COMMUNAL LANDOWNERSHIP (I.E., HEIRS' PROPERTY). IN 2020, THE FOLLOWING WAS ACHIEVED ACTIVITIES WERE CONDUCTED: (1)A REPORT WAS DEVELOPED WHICH STATED HOW GENTRIFICATION IMPACTS HISTORIC SITES AND THE CULTURE IN GULLAH COMMUNITIES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THESE CHALLENGES. (2)A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT HOW COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS CAN BE UTILIZED TO PREVENT GENTRIFICATION IN COMMUNITIES WAS CREATED. (3)AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND GENTRIFICATION WORKSHOP WAS HELD. (4)SEVERAL LAND USE AND PLANNING WORKSHOPS WERE CONDUCTED. (5)MINI-GRANTS RANGING FROM 3,000 - 15,000 WERE MADE TO 12 SETTLEMENT COMMUNITIES TO IMPLEMENT SUCH PROJECTS AS: INSTALLING COMMUNITY HISTORIC SIGNAGE, CLEANING AND RESTORING AFRICAN AMERICAN CEMETERIES; COLLECTING AND CATALOGING ORAL HISTORIES AND CONDUCTING REPAIRS TO HISTORIC COMMUNITY BUILDINGS. FOR MORE ON THE GGHP, PLEASE VISIT THE VIDEOS AT: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/CHANNEL/UCG2DEMHTECIRWMQZKWEFARQ |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D | MOBILE BASIN HEIRS' PROPERTY SUPPORT INITIATIVE NEW MISSISSIPPI INITIATIVE WILL COMBAT LEADING CAUSE OF INVOLUNTARY LAND LOSS AMONG BLACK FAMILIES THE CENTER FOR HEIRS' PROPERTY PRESERVATION AND THE MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE, WITH SUPPORT FROM WORLD WILDLIFE FUND AND KIMBERLY-CLARK, WILL PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES, ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES TO HELP HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED MISSISSIPPIANS KEEP GENERATIONAL LAND AND CONSERVE WORKING FORESTS. JACKSON, MISS.,OCT. 14, 2021 -THE CENTER FOR HEIRS PROPERTY PRESERVATION ANDTHE MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE TODAY ANNOUNCED THEMOBILE BASINHEIRSPROPERTYSUPPORTINITIATIVE, ATWO- YEARPROGRAMDESIGNEDTO HELP HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED FAMILIESIN MISSISSIPPIPROTECT AND KEEP THEIRFORESTLAND;BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH;ANDPROMOTEPRODUCTIVE, SUSTAINABLYMANAGED FORESTS.WITH SUPPORT FROM WORLD WILDLIFE FUND (WWF) AND KIMBERLY-CLARK, THE NEWINITIATIVE WILL PROVIDE A COMBINATION OF LEGAL SERVICES,INFORMATION,ANDASSISTANCEACCESSINGFINANCIAL RESOURCESTO HELP MISSISSIPPIANS RESOLVE LAND TITLE ISSUESTHATDISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT BLACK FAMILIESANDOFTEN LEAD TOLOSSOFLAND,WEALTH,AND FORESTRESOURCES. HEIRS PROPERTY IS LAND PASSED DOWN INFORMALLY FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, OFTEN BECAUSE LANDOWNERS DIED WITHOUT A WILL. IN THE ABSENCE OFA WILL, THE LAND IS CONSIDEREDJOINTLY OWNEDBY ALL HEIRS, SPLIT BETWEEN MULTIPLE PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY LIVE ON THE LAND, PAY THE TAXES, OR HAVEEVERSET FOOT ON IT. THISFRACTUREDLANDLEAVES OWNERSVULNERABLETO DEVELOPERS AND TIMBER HARVESTERS, TAX SALES, AND FORCED PARTITION SALES.OWNERS ARE FACED WITH THE DECISION TO EITHERGIVE UP THEIRLANDORGO THROUGH THECOMPLEX ANDCOSTLY LEGALPROCESSOFRESOLVINGTITLEISSUES.IN MISSISSIPPI, THIS ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO AN INCREASING RATE OF FOREST LOSS, COMPROMISINGTHE REGIONS IMPORTANT FRESHWATER HABITATS ANDDRINKING WATER SUPPLY. FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUAL LANDOWNERS WITH TITLE ISSUES CLOUDED BY UNDETERMINED HEIRS OR ABSENT HEIRS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF LAND HELD FOR GENERATIONS THROUGH TAX SALES, COURT-ORDERED PARTITION SALES, OR EVEN A TAKING OF THE LAND BY ADVERSE POSSESSION, SAIDMISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE PRESIDENT AND CEOVANGELAM. WADE. THESE HARMFUL EFFECTSWHICH HAVE PERSISTED FOR DECADESHAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY ACUTE FOR FAMILIES OF COLOR AND LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN MISSISSIPPI. IT IS CURRENTLY ESTIMATED THAT HEIRS PROPERTY ACCOUNTS FOR 1.6 MILLION ACRES VALUED AT 6.6 BILLION ACROSS THESOUTHERNBLACK BELT. THE NEW INITIATIVE IS BASED ON A SUCCESSFUL MODEL DEVELOPED BY THE CENTER FOR HEIRS PROPERTY PRESERVATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA. THIS MODEL HAS HELPED SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILIES RESOLVE MORE THAN 275 TITLES, BUILDING FAMILY AND COMMUNITY WEALTH AND ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION IN MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES. WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ENTRUST OUR HEIRS PROPERTY RESOLUTION KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE TO A WELL-ESTABLISHED PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FIRM TO ADDRESS THE COMPLEX PROBLEM OF LAND LOSS BY INCREASING ACCESS TO THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES THESE LANDOWNERS NEED TO RESOLVE TITLE ISSUES AND DEVELOP WORKING LANDSCAPES, SAID JENNIE L. STEPHENS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE CENTER FOR HEIRS PROPERTY PRESERVATION. THIS PARTNERSHIP WILL HELP BUILD AND SUSTAIN ALANDOWNER MOVEMENT THAT HAS THE POWER TO UNLEASH THE CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF LAND IN MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES TOWARD FAMILY WEALTH CREATION AND TO ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION. THEINITIATIVE WILL ALSOPROVIDELANDOWNERS WITHFORESTRY EDUCATIONAND ACCESS TO ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR FOREST CONSERVATIONAND RESPONSIBLE FOREST MANAGEMENT. THIS SUPPORT CAN HELP FAMILIES MAKE INCOME FROM THEIR LANDSWHILE PROTECTINGWILDLIFE HABITATANDWATER SOURCES. THERE IS NO SUSTAINABLE FUTURE WITHOUT ADDRESSING RACIAL AND SOCIAL INJUSTICE, SAID KERRY CESAREO, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR FORESTS AT WWF. ONLY BY PREVENTING THE EXPLOITATION OF FAMILIES AND THEIR LAND CAN WE PREVENT FOREST FRAGMENTATION AND LOSS IN THIS COUNTRY AND MITIGATE THE WORST EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.FORESTS ARE A SOURCE OF HEALTH AND WEALTH, BUT THE BURDENS AND BENEFITS OF CARING FOR FORESTS HAVE NOT BEEN SHARED FAIRLY. WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ADDRESS INJUSTICE AND SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO HAVE HELPED ALL OF US BY CARING FOR FORESTLANDS FOR GENERATIONS AND WHO ARE THEMSELVES MORE LIKELY TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF NATURE LOSS AND CLIMATE IMPACTS. THE INITIATIVE WILL BE PILOTED OVER TWO YEARS WITH PROPERTY OWNERS ACROSS THE MOBILE BAY WATERSHED. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO MISSISSIPPIS UNDERSERVED LANDOWNERS, THE PROGRAMS GOALS INCLUDE RAISING BROADER AWARENESS ABOUT THE BENEFITS TO BOTH PEOPLE AND NATURE THAT CAN COME FROMREMOVING BARRIERS FORHISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIESTOSECURE LAND RIGHTS IN THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATESAND BEYOND. SOUTHERN U.S. FORESTS THAT KIMBERLY-CLARK RELIES ON TO MAKE OUR ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS ARE BEING LOST TOUNSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTAT AN INCREASING RATE, AND HEIRS PROPERTY IS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO THAT TREND, SAID LISAMORDEN,VICEPRESIDENTOFSAFETY,SUSTAINABILITY &OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AT KIMBERLY-CLARK. HELPING HEIRS PROPERTY OWNERS SECURE CLEAR TITLE TO THEIRANCESTRALLAND ENABLES THEM TO PROTECT, CARE FOR, AND BENEFIT FROM THAT LAND, AND WE ARE HONORED TO SUPPORT THE CENTER FOR HEIRS PROPERTY PRESERVATION, THE MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE,AND WWF IN ADVANCING THIS IMPORTANT WORK. MORDENADDED:WE KNOWTHE ISSUE OF INSECURE LAND TENURE AND ITS LINKS TO FOREST LOSS AND DEGRADATION IS NOT UNIQUE TO THE U.S. SOUTHEAST. AS THE WORLD CONTINUES TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE AND BIODIVERSITY CRISES, WE MUST ALSO LOOK TO SUPPORT THE LAND RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS AND OTHER MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES WHO STEWARD MANY OF THE WORLDS MOST CARBON-AND BIODIVERSITY- RICH FORESTS. TO THAT END, THISINITIATIVESUPPORTS OUR AMBITION TO IMPROVE THE LIVES AND WELL-BEING OF 1 BILLION PEOPLE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AROUND THE GLOBE BY 2030, WITH THE SMALLEST ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINTAND IS PART OF HOW WE DELIVER OUR PURPOSE OF BETTER CARE FOR A BETTER WORLD. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B | THE FORM 990 IS PROVIDED FOR REVIEW TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR A COMMENT PERIOD. AT THE END OF THIS PERIOD, QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS ARE ADDRESSED AND THE FORM 990 IS OFFICIALLY APPROVED FOR ISSUANCE. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C | ON AN ANNUAL BASIS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISCUSS THE NEED FOR DISCLOSURE OF ANY POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. BOARD MEMBERS MUST ALSO COMPLETE AN ANNUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORM TO DISCLOSE ANY INTEREST THEY HAVE IN A TRANSACTION OR MATTER THAT IS BEFORE THE ORGANIZATION WHERE SAID INTEREST COULD BE REASONABLY VIEWED BY OTHERS AS AFFECTING THE OBJECTIVITY OR INDEPENDENCE OF THE DECISION MAKER. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A | THE CENTER'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SALARY IS NEGOTIATED BASED UPON THE BUDGET. COMPARABILITY DATA IS USED TO DETERMINE COMPENSATION FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FROM DATA ON OTHER LEGAL NONPROFITS OF SIMILAR SIZE. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B | COMPARABILITY DATA IS USED TO DETERMINE COMPENSATION FOR ATTORNEYS HIRED FROM DATA ON OTHER LEGAL NONPROFITS OF SIMILAR SIZE. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 | THE CENTER ALLOWS PUBIC INSPECTION OF ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO MAKES A REQUEST. FORM 990 IS AVAILABLE ON OUTSIDE WEBSITE AT GUIDESTAR.ORG. |
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