Finding Answers in Land

 

How City-CLT Partnerships Preserve Affordable Homeownership

Municipal Partnerships with Community Land Trusts

New Report
Analyzing Property Tax Rates in More Than 100 US Cities

This report on property taxes paid in 2023 highlights the large inequities created by assessment limits.

New Report

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land.

Learn how we work to achieve our vision.

Our Impact Areas

Our Mission

A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, we integrate theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide.

Where We Work

Explainer Video

Balancing Act: The Property Tax–School Funding Dilemma

This explainer video examines the roles of local property tax and state aid in funding public education. The video traces the history of funding for public schools while exploring the strengths and challenges of these two revenue sources, ultimately emphasizing that a well-designed combination of both revenue sources is essential for funding education in the United States.

Watch the Video

Recent Publications

City Tech
By Rob Walker

Book

Technology and Tools

Mayor’s Desk
By Anthony Flint with a foreword by Michael Bloomberg and afterword by Angela D. Brooks

Book

Local Government

Preserving Affordable Homeownership
By John Emmeus Davis and Kristin King-Ries

Policy Focus Report

Housing

A couple walking down the stairs of their home.
When Property Values Rise, Do Property Taxes Rise Too?
Thomas Brosy and Adam Langley

Policy Downloads

Property Tax

Land Lines

Current Issue: Fall/Winter 2024

This issue includes an exploration of the historic federal investment in clean energy manufacturing in legacy cities, a photographic guide to density, and conversations with researchers who are past recipients of Lincoln Institute fellowships.

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event

Join the Lincoln Institute at the National Planning Conference for conversations about 2025 planning trends, housing finance, using technology to enact equitable, sustainable urban change, and more. We’ll be leading sessions in Denver in March and presenting online sessions in April.

opportunity

Lincoln Vibrant Communities Teams Program, June 2025

Deadline: April 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM

The Lincoln Vibrant Communities Teams Program equips teams with advanced leadership skills, expert coaching, and structured coursework to develop actionable solutions for complex community challenges.

opportunity

The Lincoln Vibrant Communities Program—Land and Water Planning equips leaders with advanced skills in land and water planning, policy development, and strategic leadership.

course

This online self-paced course provides an overview of how local governments in the U.S. raise and spend money for the public services and infrastructure that are foundational to a high quality of life.