The Kudzu Coalition started in October 2004 as a committee of the Spartanburg Men's Garden Club. Funding for the first years was provided mainly by a private individual. The Spartanburg Men’s Garden Club graciously provided $1,000 in undesignated funds during 2005, 2006, and again in 2007. This organization has also donated $1,000 in 2006 toward the Students Knocking Out Kudzu initiative.

We have no salaries and our expenses are relatively small. During the first years (2005, 2006, and 2007) the total annual costs have been about $17,000 each year. Members of the Board of Directors have provided many to in-kind contributions.

The Coalition has received honorariums, personal donations, and a gift of $2,000 in 2006 and $2,500 in 2007 from an anonymous donor to hire contract resources for work on a kudzu infested park in the City of Spartanburg.

In April 2007 the organization moved from being a committee within the Spartanburg Men's Garden Club to a separate, standalone entity under the name Kudzu Coalition, registered in the state of South Carolina. We filed for 501(c)3 non-profit status which the IRS granted. Thus contributions to Kudzu Coalition are tax deductible. Our Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 20-8872959.

All donations are welcome and make it possible for the Coalition to continue work and expand its activities. See Principles & Donation Guidelines for more information. During November and December of 2007, a personal solicitation for financial support was sent to a few civic and business leaders.

The Coalition's largest expenditures have been signs, tools and safety equipment, polyethylene sheeting, Callahan Kudzu Guards, experiments, machinery modifications, for-hire contract resources, the web site, travel to sites outside the Spartanburg area, travel for presentations, and educational meetings.

Property owners are expected to pay for the hired labor and materials used on their property. The Coalition does not charge for work done by Coalition volunteers on public property.

We are happy to assist other organizations in applying for grants in connection with removing kudzu from their property.