The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

About the Lincoln Institute

Founded in 1946, the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a nonprofit, private operating foundation dedicated to improving quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. Through education, training, publications, and events, the Lincoln Institute integrates theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide. Today, the institute has locations in the US and China, but also works globally across Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa. The Lincoln Institute pursues a vision of a world where prosperous cities and regions provide essential public goods and services through coordinated land use planning and public finance; where efficient and equitable allocation of limited land resources supports thriving communities; and where stewardship of land and water resources ensures a livable future.

Finding Answers in Land

At the heart of the Lincoln institute's work are three core impact areas:

Land & Water

Promotes sustainable stewardship and management of natural resources through integrated policies and best management practices to ensure a livable future.

Land & Fiscal Systems

Supports efficient and equitable methods of taxation and the coordinated use of land-based financing tools to supply a full range of essential public goods and services.

Land & Communities

Helps local leaders adopt and implement land policies that expand access to secure and affordable housing, mitigate and adapt to climate change, and create local economies that work for everyone.

Collaborating for a Better Future

The Lincoln Institute supported planning education through its curriculum innovation awards, run in partnership with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP). These awards honored and supported university courses that encourage students to consider land-based development and reflect sustainability, equity, and fiscal health.

The Institute also jointly sponsored the case study awards, funding research to inform better land policy. By working together, the Lincoln Institute and ACSP helped educators strengthen experiential, practice-oriented curricula and equipping students with the skills, insights, and ethical grounding they need to build a brighter tomorrow.