Conservation Tools

Article detailing what nonprofits can anticipate when considering the merger process.

Dewey & Kaye was asked to study the potential for greater collaboration among local land trusts and conservation groups in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Nine local organizations, ranging from all-volunteer local land trusts to a regional-scale organization, participated. A steering committee, comprised of representatives from four participating land trusts, worked with Dewey & Kaye to plan and coordinate the project.

PA Department of State Form DSCB:15-1926 required for completing a nonprofit or corporate merger.

The study offers an analysis of restructuring efforts among nonprofits and describes several strategies that funders might develop to support further collaborative effort.

Three land trusts in Maine decided to try something new to facilitate their systems and strengthen their ability to protect lands in their towns and service areas: a collaborative agreement.

This handbook shows you: How to know if collaboration is the best way to accomplish your goals; How to get started and keep up the momentum; Whether your collaboration has the necessary ingredients to succeed; How to manage the four stages of collaboration; plus helpful case studies.

print version of the ConservationTools.org guide: Many types of collaborative approaches are available to help land trusts and others advance land conservation. This guide identifies opportunities for collaboration, provides guidance in structuring productive collaborations, and presents examples of successful organizational partnerships. 30 pages

A summary of the merger of two Washington state land trusts that worked side by side for twenty years. This case study includes lessons learned from the process.

This case study explores the merger of an urban-based environmental organization and a Pennsylvania land trust primarily focused on rural land protection

"Creating an Environment for Success: Mergers and Other Partnership Structures for Environmental Nonprofits," shares four success stories illustrating different forms of partnerships. The monograph covers five options for strategic restructuring (merger, joint venture, parent-subsidiary structuring, management services organization, and fiscal sponsorship), plus offers pointers and resources for groups exploring partnership possibilities.

This manual is focused on how to effectively evaluate collaborations to improve understand and performance.

This book lays out a variety of arrangements under which an unincorporated project can flourish

Explores considerations for establishing a fiscal sponsorship.

IRS Fact Sheet indicating specific tests that organizations need to meet when establishing a type I and II 509(a)(3) organizational relationship.

IRS Fact Sheet indicating specific tests that organizations need to meet when establishing a type III 509(a)(3) organizational relationship.

A manual describing the procedures an organization should take in seeking recognition of tax-exempt status from the IRS.

It is vital that every land trust consider what will happen to its assets if the organization ceases to exist or can no longer steward or administer its easements. Land trusts should have a contingency plan for all of their easements in case of such events. One strategy is to include backup or contingency provisions in the easement. While there are variations on this practice, a backup or “executory” interest grantee is usually empowered to enforce an easement if the original grantee fails to do so, or to take over an easement if the original grantee can no longer manage it.

Article focused on land trust mergers, including three examples.

An article discussing the technical steps of a nonprofit merger.

This case study outlines the successful merger of five watershed organizations working in the Baltimore region and includes a well documented timeline, lessons learned and challenges experienced along the way.

This research report explores models of collaboration among conservation organizations ranging from short-term partnerships to full-scale mergers.

A collection of case studies from across the nation exemplifying collaborative partnerships among non-profit organizations.

The purpose of this fact sheet is to outline the accreditation process for those applicants who operate with a multiple corporate structure and how the Commission implements its policy titled “Application Requirements for Land Trusts with Multiple Corporate Structures,” available online.

Explore different collaboration models, what prompted organizations to collaborate, challenges encountered, and the outcomes experienced by partner agencies and the community

This online resource offers information about the ways that nonprofits can collaborate to achieve their missions — through mergers, joint programming, and other forms of collaboration.

This guide tracks a number of collaborative projects across the nation and explores what common characteristics contributed to success.

Drawing on the experiences of 22 nonprofit organizations in Allegheny County that explored, attempted or completed a merger, combined with a comprehensive literature review, this report provides useful data for nonprofits and funders considering the merger process.

This booklet is designed as a practical guide to help nonprofit board members, executives and funders think through a merger.

Strategic restructuring ranges from alliances like jointly managed programs to organizational integrations, like full-scale mergers. This fact sheet describes strategic restructuring options for nonprofits.

This guide is for leaders and activists who want to better accomplish environmental and social change goals by combining forces with multiple organizations. It shares useful ideas, models, and practices gleaned from over 15 years of ICL consulting.