Date of Publication: 07/15/2025
Last Reviewed by MLTC: 11/11/2025
Summary:
This toolkit compiles sample templates, legal memos, due diligence checklists, and other practical resources to help land trusts navigate mergers or formal collaborations.
A. Planning & Due Diligence
- Sample Merger Work Plan Template (Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition; 01/01/2025)
Provides a customizable planning framework outlining major milestones, responsible parties, and timelines for completing a merger.
Document: sample-merger-work-plan-template.pdf
- Due Diligence Report (Template) (Robert H. Levin, Esq.; 07/15/2025)
Comprehensive checklist for reviewing legal, financial, and property obligations when merging or consolidating land trusts.
Document: Due-Diligence-Report-1.pdf
- Models of Land Trust Collaboration (Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition; 05/31/2021)
A self-assessment tool from the 2021 Learning Collaborative designed to help land trusts evaluate readiness for collaboration and select partnership models appropriate to their goals and resources.
Document: self-assessment_models_of_land_trust_collaboration.pdf
- Considerations for Collaboration (Scenario Matrix) (Damariscotta River Association & Pemaquid Watershed Association; 04/05/2018)
Matrix comparing different levels of collaboration on joint projects, shared staffing, or full merger based on governance, fundraising, and mission alignment.
Document: Considerations-for-Collaboration-2.pdf
- Merger and Affiliations (Land Trust Accreditation Commission; 2020)
Guidance on how mergers and affiliations between land trusts should be reported and reviewed to maintain accreditation. It outlines what organizations must do when their structure or corporate identity changes.
Document: Mergers and Affiliations
B. Legal & Governance Templates
- Memo on Merger (Legal Overview) (Robert H. Levin, Esq.; 07/01/2025)
Summarizes legal steps, due diligence, and governance procedures required for unifying nonprofit land trusts.
Document: Memo-on-Merger-1.pdf
- Memoriam of Understanding to Collaborate – DRA & PWA (Sample Document #8) (Damariscotta River Association & Pemaquid Watershed Association; 07/08/2025)
Sample memorandum of understanding outlining shared operations, communication, and governance between two partner land trusts prior to merger.
Document: MOU-to-Collaborate-2.pdf
C. Communication & Implementation
- Joint Statement to Members (Maine Land Trust Network; 02/06/2018)
Example joint communication announcing merger intentions and emphasizing mission continuity to members and donors.
Document: Joint-Statement-to-Members-2.pdf
- Merger–Consolidation Checklist (Robert H. Levin, Esq.; 07/01/2025)
Step-by-step checklist to ensure all legal, financial, and administrative tasks are completed during and after a merger.
Document: Merger-Consolidation-Checklist-1.pdf
- Closing Checklist (Robert H. Levin, Esq.; 07/01/2025)
Checklist outlining legal filings, property transfers, and key administrative tasks required to finalize a land trust merger.
Document: Closing-Checklist-1.pdf