Where We Take a Stand
At The Institute for Preservation and Progress (TIPP), we know that not every challenge calls for the same level of response. But when an issue crosses a critical threshold—when land, legacy, or community is at risk in the name of so-called “progress”—we act.
The TIPP Issue Charter is our formal declaration that an issue has tipped.
It means we’ve done the research, examined the implications, and determined that the stakes are high enough, the alignment is clear enough, and the need is urgent enough to warrant organized action from our team.
What It Means When TIPP Issues a Charter:
1. We commit organizational resources
Time, talent, funding, and public platforms are all engaged to take up the issue. This includes staff coordination, expert research, legal support, policy development, and communications.
2. We deploy a strategic toolkit
Each chartered issue benefits from TIPP’s full approach:
- Legal intervention and representation
- Public education and outreach
- Investigative reporting and storytelling
- Policy research and reform
- Strategic fundraising and coalition building
3. We define a structured campaign
Every charter includes:
- A clearly articulated issue summary
- Preservation vs. progress dynamics
- Organizational objectives and tactics
- Core activities and milestone timeline
- Key partners and metrics for success
4. We recognize national relevance
Although many of our issues begin at the local level, the principles at stake—such as land preservation, community rights, or infrastructure reform—have implications far beyond one county or state.
5. We launch with transparency and purpose
Each Issue Charter is publicly posted so supporters, partners, and funders can see what we’re taking on and how we plan to act.
First Chartered Issue: MPRP
Our first official charter, approved on June 23, 2025, is the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP)—a proposed 70-mile, 500kV transmission line threatening farmland, conserved land, and rural legacy in the name of data center demand.
The campaign formally launched October 1, 2025.