The National Main Street Program Accreditation

National Main Street Program Accreditation is a partnership between coordinating Main Street programs and the National Trust Main Street Center to establish standards of performance for local Main Street programs and provide accreditation to those that meet our standards.

The National Accreditation designation process evaluates established commercial district revitalization programs according to 10 basic performance standards. These standards provide benchmarks and guidelines on the way an organization should be functioning and serve as incentives for improvement.

Goals

• to provide local and national visibility to local Main Street programs that understand and fully utilize the Main Street Four-Point Approach™ and eight Main Street principles and that continue to evolve organizationally to meet new challenges;

• to provide national standards for performance for local Main Street programs; and

• to provide realistic goals and a tangible incentive for local Main Street programs that do not yet meet the criteria for national recognition.

Benefits

National Main Street Program Accreditation is designed to reward organizations and help them garner attention within their communities. Accredited programs receive a certificate and a press release to promote their designation locally. Representatives from communities with accredited programs who attend the National Main Streets Conference receive a special ribbon for their name badge. Accredited National Main Street Programs are also listed on this website and in the National Trust's Preservation Atlas. However, the ultimate benefit is a stronger and better functioning organization.