First-time Accreditation

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Welcome to the first-time registration process page. Application slots for first-time accreditation are filled each year via a lottery system.

2027 First-Time Accreditation

The lottery for a spot to apply for first-time application in 2027 will be open July 1 - July 31, 2026. A link to the registration page will be posted at that time. The Commission is accepting up to eight land trusts to apply in 2027. The number of spots available reflects the Commission's applicant capacity for 2027 and its commitment to ensuring a fair consistent review process.(Special note: Those groups assigned to apply in 2027 following the 2026 lottery do not need to enter the lottery again.)

The 2027 first-time application due dates will be: 

  • Pre-application due December 8, 2026
  • Application due March 30, 2027

Continue reading below for more about first time registration, the lottery process, fees, etc.

Index:

Lottery Registration Overview

First-time application slots are filled via a registration lottery.

  • Each organization that registers for the lottery must be prepared to meet the pre-application and application due dates.
  • After registration closes, a lottery is drawn if more organizations register than there are application slots available. Organizations randomly selected to submit an application are notified. The time between registration closing and notification of selection can be up to a month.
  • If your organization registers and is not chosen for an application slot, it will be assigned as a first-time applicant the next time that first-time application slots are available. The organization will not need to re-enter the lottery.

What Information is Requested at Registration?

The registration form has five sections (you can preview the registration questions, pre-application and main application in the First-Time Reference Application Packet):

  • Eligibility and registration requirements: a registrant must be able to respond "Yes" to:
    • Are you a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity or quasi-governmental organization?
    • Have you been incorporated for at least 2 years?
    • Have you completed at least two direct conservation fee property and/or conservation easement acquisition projects?
  • Organization information
  • Accreditation primary contact
  • Related corporations
  • Registration Terms of Agreement

 lightbulb new Click for special message for mitigation land trusts

It is sometimes challenging for an organization that relies exclusively on mitigation fees to be classified as a public charity by the Internal Revenue Service. If an organization does not have sufficient public support to be classified as a public charity, it is not eligible for accreditation. If your organization engages solely in mitigation activities please review the IRS instructions regarding the public support calculation before you submit your registration.

If your mitigation land trust's Form 990 indicates that all or almost all of its income counts towards "public support" you can expect your application review team will have questions about how the organization meets the public support test. It is likely you will be required to retain an independent certified public accountant that specializes in tax-exempt accounting to closely examine the organization's sources of income and recalculate its public support as part of the review process.

 lightbulb new Click for special message for land trusts engaged in tax shelter transactions

The Commission takes land trusts' obligations to withdraw from tax shelter transactions, that were either prohibited by the Standards or would not be treated as a qualified conservation contribution under law, very seriously. See more details about these transactions in the Requirements Manual under Transactions V.4. If your organization participated in such a transaction after 2016, please contact the Commission before registering to discuss the extent of your organization's participation and its ability to demonstrate compliance with the related requirements. Additional documentation may be required by the Commission; a copy of the addendum with the additional information is available  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Registration Fee

  • Payment of $850 is due at the time of registration -- the fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable. Payments will be processed by a secure online payment system; the fee may be paid via VISA, Discover, MasterCard, or eCheck/ACH. (Your organization must also be prepared to pay the application fee, which will be due at the time of application.)

Are You Ready to Register?

Please note: The registration and application fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Organizations SHOULD ONLY register when:

  • - They meet all eligibility and registration requirements, and
  • - They will be ready to provide all required documentation by the corresponding pre-application and application deadlines showing how they meet the applicable accreditation requirements.