Lowcountry Gullah Foundation says it helped families retain land, reports 18.36 acres protected

Miss Sellers, representing the Lowcountry Gullah Foundation, told the task force the foundation expanded outreach this year and stepped in at delinquent tax sales to help families keep property. "We were able to protect 18.36 acres," she said, and the transcript records an assessed land value of about $3,300,000 tied to properties the foundation helped. The presentation said the foundation spent approximately $54,000 during the year, with the transcript naming about $36,000 of that spending on Hilton Head and smaller amounts in other jurisdictions.

Sellers described a mix of services: genealogy and deed research going back to the mid‑20th century, succession‑planning workshops, and a grant‑funded series of free wills in partnership with Lowcountry Legal Volunteers. She said the foundation has referred 30 families to local attorneys and has organized clinics and educational events aimed at older residents who may not use email or social media. "The Lowcountry Gullah Foundation wants you to keep your land by helping identifying heirs," the prepared PSA copy said during the presentation.

On tax‑sale intervention, Sellers described one recent example in which the foundation purchased a parcel at the sale for about $3,000 so the family could redeem it from the foundation later: "They have a year from the tax sale date and a day to redeem it," she said, adding the foundation’s goal is to return land to families rather than hold it long term. Alex Brown, a council member, clarified how redemption works: the family repays taxes and interest, not the full sale price. "That interest is what the property owners would have to pay back, not the amount that Miss Sellers paid for the property," Brown said.

Sellers listed funders and partners used to support the work: local donations, the Bargain Box, Women in Philanthropy, the Watterson Foundation, Family Foundation grants, the Reparations Project, and a Mellon Foundation grant routed through the Black Chamber. She said grant dollars are used primarily for land preservation and related services, not organization overhead.

Members and public commenters praised the outreach and urged broader education and workshops so residents understand payment deadlines and redemption options. A public speaker asked whether delinquent taxes were mostly due to heirs'‑property issues; Sellers said causes vary but stressed a recurring theme is lack of awareness about payment deadlines.

The foundation also described a TV marketing effort to raise awareness and directed those who call the commercial number to Lowcountry Legal Volunteers for will services. Sellers said some services are limited by partner income thresholds and that the foundation steps in to help cover low‑bono costs when needed.

The task force discussion ended with members thanking Sellers for the report and asking the foundation to continue coordinating with county staff and the treasurer’s office on workshops and real‑time assistance for residents. The presentation and Q&A were recorded from SEG 244 through SEG 545 of the transcript.