diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 4df6739..0acf218 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -4,18 +4,13 @@ Cloud.gov is an open source project operated by the U.S. General Services Admini
 
 ## Who can contribute
 
-We welcome contributions from:
-
-- Employees of U.S. federal agencies
-- Contractors working under a current agreement with a U.S. government entity
-- GSA-approved contributors as part of official interagency collaboration
-
-## Who we cannot accept contributions from
-
-To avoid the appearance of government endorsement, manage supply chain risk, and maintain the integrity of our compliance posture, we do **not** accept unsolicited contributions from:
-
-- Individuals unaffiliated with the U.S. government
-- International contributors or organizations
-- Unvetted accounts or first-time contributors submitting minor changes
+We welcome contributions, however, to avoid the appearance of government endorsement, manage supply chain risk, and maintain the integrity of our compliance posture, we can only accept contributions when:
+
+1. You are affiliated with the federal government as
+   1. an employee of a U.S. federal agency, or
+   2. a contractor working under a current agreement with a U.S. government entity, or
+   3. a GSA-approved contributor as part of official interagency collaboration. 
+1. Your contribution is non-trivial (e.g. more than fixing a link, a typographical error, or grammar), unless you're an established contributor. 
+2. Your GitHub account has an established history.
 
 If you're unsure whether your contribution fits, feel free to open an issue first so we can discuss it.