Chief Lisa Collins
Pay-It-Forward Awardee

Lisa Collins serves as Chief of the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians, where she works to advance Native American recognition, cultural preservation, and community development across South Carolina. In addition to her role as Chief, she is a registered nurse, and her work is grounded in a lifelong commitment to care, advocacy, and service. She remains focused on strengthening her community while preserving the traditions and identity that define it.
Summerville, South Carolina
May 12, 2026
Pay-It-Forward
Award
Awarded to:
Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians
Individual award recipients are not eligible for a grant, but can “pay it forward” by recommending a values-aligned organization to receive a grant. When an individual receives a “Pay It Forward” award, they are invited to recommend a grant to a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in their community that is aligned with the values of the project. “Pay It Forward” recipients are typically awarded to one or several individuals for personal acts of courage


