Fundraising Highlights – 4Q 2024
Marketing Reach
In 2024, the Conservancy set a goal to increase our marketing reach to continue to add value for our sponsors, corporate partners and donors. At year end 2024, the Conservancy is pleased to report:
- 25,700 social media followers (38% increase from January 2024)
- 10,000 monthly website users (64% increase)
- 12,000 email subscribers (26% increase)
- Top Instagram post, 2024: Party for the Parks Raffle Reel
- 293,400 views
- 1,500 likes
- 168 shares
Party for the Parks: Palm Royale
- Party for the Parks recorded its most profitable year yet in 2024 with $280,000 raised to support the Conservancy.
- Revenue increased across every category including sponsorships, ticket sales, auction and raffle.
- An astounding 55 local businesses stepped forward to sponsor Party for the Parks and support our mission this year, resulting in a 14% increase in sponsor dollars from 2023.
- Like all organizations, we continue to contend with increased event costs, making event partners and other in-kind support critical to the success of our event. This year, we are grateful to have partnered with 28 local restaurants, bar and event partners.
None of Party for the Park’s success would be possible without the support of our amazing committee who worked tirelessly to ensure an incredible event to support our work in the parks. Thank you to co-chairs Kathryn Becker & Rebecca Ramsay for your leadership and commitment to supporting our mission as well as the rest of our 2024 Party for the Parks committee: Ashley Greenwell, Jeff Kuykendall, Michelle Edwards, Liz Cole, Kensey Rabun, Nicole Barnes, Ellie Gray, Lavinia Klietmann, Katie Stevenson, Mimi Van Wyck, Masheed Rockwell and Naomie Olindo.
End of Year Campaign – Help Your Parks Bloom
In 2023, we planted the seeds for a better Charleston. In 2024, we asked you to help us make Charleston’s park bloom…and you answered our call.
- End of Year campaign revenue doubled over 2023.
- Average donation amount more than doubled.
- 60% of donors have donated to the Conservancy in the past, up from 56% in 2023.
- 40% of donors were first time donors to the Conservancy, showing the impact of our increased reach.
| Patricia Agnew | Kristi Harvey | Shelly Ozark |
| Jodie Almeida | Charles & Victoria Hodges | Scott Parker |
| Kim Ashley | Sean Holleran | Parker Hannifin |
| Sara Baggett | Ozey & Sarah Horton | Mark Permar |
| Bank of America | I’On at Home | Joan Perry |
| Ledlie Bell | Ellenora & Walter Jackson | Debbie Austin & Randall |
| Mr. & Mrs. Tony Berry | Donna Jacobs | Wilber & Sheila Prezzano |
| Thomas and Abigail Berry | Heather Johnson | Branch Properties |
| Jono and Sue Billings | John Kaczmar | Lloyd Ray |
| Donna Bowers | Laura Kane | Layton Register |
| George Bullwinkel | Kristin Kazmaier | Steve Rhodes |
| Christine Callahan | Alexandra Kejner | John Rivers |
| Geoff Carpenter | Lucille Keller | Jonathan Rollins |
| CCF – Colbert | William & CJ Kerr | Samuel & Sarah Beth Rosen |
| Matthew Chalifoux | Steve and Elaine Krameisen | Bill Roumillat |
| Ann Chauvin | Jason Kronsberg | Peggy Schachte |
| Jacque Cheng | Cindy & Ben Lenhardt | Tom & Alison Schneider |
| David & Claudia Cohen | Alan Lewis | Christopher Jaros & Brooke Seidelmann |
| Katherine & Kellen Cooney | Sally Lovejoy | Katherine Sherpa |
| Jill Cross | Nancy Maher | Kama and Katherine Sherpa |
| Melissa Cunningham | Jonathan Mann | Alysann Sieren |
| Joseph Curto | Meg and Bo Manuel | Bill and Elaine Simpson |
| Mollie Dadin | William Marcil | Marcel Smeester |
| Colbert Denger | Michael Master | Mary Smith |
| Toni Dering | Judy McCombs | Wilbur & Sally Smith |
| Andy Detterline | Herbert and Margaret McIntosh | The Speedwell Foundation |
| Christine Deviney | Heather Mclean | Brian Starer |
| Susan Clow | Kimberly Meek | Teri Stech |
| Robert & Ann Dukes | David Mendez | Susie Stewart |
| Garrett Dunn | Jan and Rick Menniti | Carol Stewart |
| Hall Easton | B.V. and Daniel Messervy | Charlie and Connie Strickland |
| Phyllis Ewing | Kim Moore | Sean Sykes |
| Mary Fetscher | Peggy Morse | Richard Tadler |
| Lisa Field | Erin Mullally | Ken & Anne Tidwell |
| Daphne Filiberti | Alissa Murgia | Emily Topham |
| Peter Finnerty | Holly Nadeau | Jeff Trenning |
| Marie and Kevin Fitzgerald | Anna Nashashibi | Leigh Trivette |
| Diane Fletcher | Marion Neely | UBS Financial Services Inc. |
| Freestone | Lori and Craig Neid | Judy Volkman |
| Howard Garfinkel | George and Linda Neill | Will Waterhouse |
| Faye Griffin | Melissa Nelson | Mary Ellen Long Way |
| Mary Hammond | Lauren Netter | Suzan Zoukis |
| Stacey Hanchuck | Margaret O’Brien |
Grants & Corporate Support Awarded
Thank you to the corporate partners who supported the Conservancy in the 4th quarter.
- $15,000: Employees Community Fund of Boeing in support of community gardens
- $10,000: Dominion Energy in support of Charleston Trees
- $7,500: The Garden Conservancy in support of general funding
- $6,000: Publix Super Markets Charities in support of Grow it Forward
- $4,500: Volvo Car U.S. Operations Grant Fund in support of general funding
- $2,500: Post & Courier Foundation in support of general funding
- $750: Native Plant Society in support of invasive plant species removal at Colonial Lake
If your organization’s values align with the Conservancy’s mission, please contact Emily Topham at etopham@charlestonparksconservancy.org to discuss partnership options.
Media Highlights
- Colonial Lake’s makeover is in progress. A renowned garden designer is leading the effort. – Post and Courier
- Charleston Nonprofit Raises $280,000 for Local Parks – CharlestonGrit
- Entrepreneur Minute – Darlene Heater, Charleston Parks Conservancy – Lowcountry Biz SC