Latest accreditation adds to NALT’s growing record of organizational excellence and accountability
CHADDS FORD, PA. — North American Land Trust (NALT) announced today that it has earned accreditation from the BBB Wise Giving Alliance following the successful completion of the organization’s rigorous charity evaluation process.
The accreditation follows an extensive review that spanned several months and evaluated NALT’s compliance with the BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. The standards examine key areas of nonprofit operations, including governance and oversight, measuring effectiveness, finances, fundraising practices, and donor privacy.
The achievement builds upon NALT’s 2024 accreditation through the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ (PANO) nationally recognized Standards for Excellence® program and further demonstrates the organization’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical nonprofit management.
“We are honored to receive accreditation from the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and proud to have successfully met all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability,” said Steven Carter, President of North American Land Trust. “As a conservation organization, trust is our most important asset. Landowners trust us with the permanent protection of their properties. Donors trust us to steward charitable resources responsibly. Government agencies, foundations, corporations, and community partners trust us to fulfill our commitments. Independent accreditations such as those awarded by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and PANO help demonstrate that NALT is worthy of that trust.”
Founded in 1992, NALT has protected more than 140,000 acres through more than 600 conservation projects in 24 states. The organization works with private landowners, government agencies, corporations, and nonprofit partners to permanently conserve natural, scenic, agricultural, and historic resources through conservation easements and land stewardship programs.
Unlike many forms of regulatory compliance, BBB Wise Giving Alliance accreditation is entirely voluntary. NALT elected to participate in the review process as part of its ongoing commitment to organizational excellence and continuous improvement.
Throughout the accreditation process, NALT worked closely with BBB Wise Giving Alliance representatives to demonstrate compliance with standards covering board oversight, organizational effectiveness, financial accountability, fundraising disclosures, and public transparency. The accreditation reflects the collective efforts of NALT’s board and staff to maintain strong governance and operational practices while advancing the organization’s conservation mission.
Tred McIntire, Chair of NALT’s Board of Directors, said the accreditation reflects the organization’s longstanding commitment to responsible stewardship and transparency. NALT has also been recognized as a Four-Star Charity by Charity Navigator, and it received the Platinum Seal of Transparency through GuideStar.
“Our board and staff are proud to have achieved this accreditation and to meet the BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability,” McIntire said. “Independent evaluations like this demonstrate that NALT operates according to nationally recognized standards and provide assurance to those who entrust us with charitable contributions, conservation responsibilities, and community partnerships.”
As part of the accreditation, NALT will now display the BBB Accredited Charity Seal on its website and communications materials alongside its other organizational accreditations, including PANO’s Standards for Excellence® Seal of Excellence. NALT’s charity report will also be published on Give.org, where donors and members of the public can review information regarding the organization’s governance, finances, and accountability practices.
“This accreditation is not simply recognition of where we are today,” Carter added. “It reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening our organization, embracing best practices, and remaining worthy of the confidence that our supporters and partners place in us every day. We view accountability and transparency as essential components of long-term conservation success.”
authored by Steven Carter
About North American Land Trust
North American Land Trust is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation organization headquartered in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Since 1992, NALT has protected more than 140,000 acres through more than 600 conservation projects in 24 states. Through innovative land preservation partnerships, NALT permanently conserves and stewards natural and cultural resources for future generations.
About BBB Wise Giving Alliance
BBB Wise Giving Alliance is the standards-based charity evaluator affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system. Through its Standards for Charity Accountability, the organization evaluates charities against comprehensive benchmarks for governance, effectiveness, finances, fundraising, and donor privacy. Charity reports and accreditation information are available through Give.org.
