2025-11-12T10:53:49-06:00 2024-12-31 205788602 Glaser and Company LLC 1859 Summerville Ave Suite 800 Charleston SC 29405 990 2024-01-01 870792700 Lowcountry Local First LOWC 8437405444 1859 Summervile Avenue Suite 800 Charleston SC 29405 Jacquie Berger Executive Director 8437405444 2025-11-12 1 1 Erik Glaser CPA P00724565 8438490179 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Jacqueline Berger 1859 Summervile Avenue Suite 800 Charleston SC 29405 1281604 0 X https://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/ X 2007 SC Lowcountry Local First advances economic prosperity and local ownership through (Schedule O) innovative and inclusive initiatives that build our communitys wealth and wellbeing. 14 14 14 50 0 0 888053 983152 249687 272679 16827 24268 1074 1505 1155641 1281604 4000 5000 0 0 599512 680032 0 0 127378 609265 562633 1212777 1247665 -57136 33939 1530251 1365661 884657 686128 645594 679533 X Lowcountry Local First advances economic prosperity and local ownership through innovative and inclusive initiatives that build our communitys wealth and wellbeing. 0 0 1002887 5000 274184 Lowcountry Local First's work leverages our understanding of our more than 450 local business and more than 12,000 employees across all sectors, and is informed by staff with expertise and on-the-ground experience in local economy-building, innovative economic development, entrepreneur support, sustainable agriculture, and food systems. Our mission is to advance economic prosperity and local ownership through innovative and inclusive initiatives that build our community's wealth and wellbeing. Our Initiatives create the building blocks of a strong local economy and include: (Continued on Schedule O)Awareness Throughout the year, Lowcountry Local First works to build awareness and support for local businesses. In order to shift citizen and institutional spending to local businesses, Lowcountry Local First conceives of and implements highly-visible awareness campaigns, including Eat Local Season and Buy Local Season. Campaign participants pledge to shift their personal and business spending to locally-owned retailers, financial institutions, service providers, farmers, artists, etc. Affinity Serving our member businesses remains our core work. To ensure that local business owners have the resources and support they need to thrive, we host monthly learning and networking Local Socials. Local Works, an affordable community coworking space, provides businesses a place to share information and resources, host meetings, and come together in a collaborative setting. Additional initiatives including our Local Expertise Exchange and our Commercial Space Advisory Committee foster an environment in which local business owners can connect to and assist each other. Advocacy As an organization, we support policies and economic development initiatives that level the playing field for local businesses. Our priorities include, but are not limited to: - Eliminating red tape for starting or operating a local business. - Supporting the creation of independent business districts through regulation of "formula businesses," property tax abatements, and other innovative methods. - Educating the public and local businesses on anti-monopoly regulation of Amazon to encourage competition, entrepreneurial opportunity, and fair practices toward small businesses. - Championing policies to address the root causes of workforce challenges, including affordable housing, a multi-modal transportation system, affordable/accessible childcare, skills training, etc. Innovation Through our annual Good Business Summit, we bring thought leaders nationally and locally together to share big ideas as well as challenges and promote the idea of businesses as a force for good. Inclusivity Since 2019 Lowcountry Local First has operated Good Enterprises, a program which is equipping emerging entrepreneurs with the tools they need to run successful businesses. We bring resources to traditionally underserved populations as a step forward on the journey towards a more equitable economy. The curriculum for this program was selected because of its proven impact on the lives of individuals and communities with the potential to transform the economic landscape of the Lowcountry. The program, which includes a 12-week Community Business Academy, Business Accelerator Services, and Credit to Capital, is offered in both English and Spanish, and serves more than 100 people per year. 1002887 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 26 0 1 14 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 14 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 SC X Jacquie Berger 8437405444 1859 Summerville Ave Suite 800 CHARLESTON SC 29405 David Bennet Chair 2.00 X X 0 0 0 Jennifer Ferrebee Vice Chair 2.00 X X 0 0 0 Kerri Chisolm Treasurer 2.00 X X 0 0 0 Kate Schmieding Secretary 2.00 X X 0 0 0 Jeremiah Bacon Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Chris Brown Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Edward Kronsberg Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Margie Longshore Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Sharon L McGhee Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Andy McCarthy Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Charles McClendon Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jonathan Sanchez Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Ryan Stewart Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Mimi Striplin Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jacqueline Berger Executive Director 40.00 X 120000 0 4411 120000 0 4411 1 0 0 0 0 118303 864849 26850 983152 Local Works 531120 193960 193960 Programs 611710 44219 44219 Consulting 611430 34500 34500 272679 24268 24268 Miscellaneous 900099 1505 1505 1505 1281604 274184 0 24268 5000 5000 120200 60200 36000 24000 510241 417350 26868 66023 4410 3087 617 706 45181 31627 6325 7229 7700 7700 12552 4450 8102 40121 40121 17223 4622 12449 152 26141 20968 5173 205611 189162 12337 4112 2696 2696 25664 95 413 25156 6536 6536 70816 69400 1416 Program events 145675 145675 Miscellaneous 1898 1898 1247665 1002887 117400 127378 607993 745608 62100 147165 14169 11946 17429 440712 295481 213547 145231 549600 381124 1530251 1365661 33521 43918 35501 6750 239881 233589 575754 401871 884657 686128 X 583494 567433 62100 112100 645594 679533 1530251 1365661 33939 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1371237 720465 944184 888053 983152 4907091 1371237 720465 944184 888053 983152 4907091 22165 4884926 432 288 1350 16827 24268 43165 4950256 1120029 0.98680 0.97400 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 382153 260076 122077 58559 35405 23154 145231 Deposit 13816 ROU Asset 367308 381124 Operating Lease 401871 401871 1326422 44818 44818 1281604 0 1281604 1292483 44818 44818 1247665 0 1247665 X Event supplies 14 24350 Fair Market Value X Equipment 1 2500 Fair Market Value 0 0 0 Form 990, Part I, Line 6 We're almost always on the lookout for volunteers who can help with event coordination, office work (filing, mailing, phone calls, etc.), or even getting your hands in the dirt for a day. If you have the time, talents and passion, we'd love to hear from you at volunteer@lowcountrylocalfirst.org. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b Management reviews the Form 990 and addresses inquiries prior to the release to the Board of Directors. The Form 990 is provided to the Board of Directors for a review and comment period. Once this period is over and questions, if any, are addressed, the Form 990 is filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c The Executive Director and/or the Chair incorporate conflict of interest inquiries annually and encourage communications from the Board if matters change. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 The Compensation of the Top Official is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors and approved as part of the annual budget. The Board of Directors benchmarks salary to compensation studies and regional peer organizations. The Compensation of Officers and Key Employees (as applicable) is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors and approved as part of the annual budget. The Board of Directors benchmarks salary to compensation studies and regional peer organizations. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 Organizing documents are made available upon request at the Organization's corporate offices.