For Clay Merritt, a connection to the outdoors has been part of life for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Sumter, South Carolina, he spent much of his time hunting and fishing with his father, making memories in places like Sparkleberry Swamp. Those early experiences fostered an appreciation for South Carolina’s natural landscapes that would eventually bring him to Lowcountry Land Trust.
After serving four years in the U.S. Army in Colorado, Clay returned to South Carolina and earned his degree at the College of Charleston. He soon found himself spending more time outdoors around the Lowcountry, particularly on Johns Island. Over the years, he watched as development increasingly changed the landscapes he had come to love. Seeing those changes firsthand strengthened his desire to get involved in conservation.
Clay had been familiar with Lowcountry Land Trust for several years, having previously visited the organization to learn about its work. What stood out to him was its commitment to protecting land for everyone’s benefit. This summer, he was excited to find an opportunity to contribute to a mission he believed in, and he is now serving as Lowcountry Land Trust’s Annual Giving & Engagement Director.
Clay brings experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising from his time with Warrior Surf Foundation, based in Folly Beach, where he progressed from a program participant after his military service to surf instructor, Director of Surf Operations, and ultimately Executive Director. That experience shaped his approach to philanthropy. He believes successful fundraising starts with genuine relationships: understanding what motivates people to give, caring about the mission, and showing appreciation for those who make the work possible.
At Lowcountry Land Trust, Clay looks forward to getting to know the donors behind the organization’s conservation work. People give to land protection for many different reasons, whether it’s preserving wildlife habitat, protecting clean water, maintaining opportunities for hunting and fishing, or ensuring future generations can experience the Lowcountry’s natural beauty. He sees these shared values as the foundation for lasting relationships.
He also understands that conservation requires sustained investment. While public funding and grants support individual land protection projects, private philanthropy supports the people, resources, and organizational capacity needed to carry out this work. As Clay puts it, “The most important part of fundraising is building and maintaining personal relationships, and caring about the people that are supporting your mission.” Ultimately, he recognizes that conservation is a collective effort. “Without donors, it just can’t be done.”
We’re excited to welcome Clay to the Lowcountry Land Trust team. The next time you see him at an event or around the community, take a moment to introduce yourself. He looks forward to meeting you, hearing what inspires your dedication to conservation, and building relationships that will help protect the places we all care about.
