OUR EXPERTISE
COMMUNITY STRATEGIES GROUP
Since 1985, the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group (Aspen CSG) has been committed to equitable rural prosperity. We work towards a future where communities and Native nations across the rural United States are healthy places where each and every person belongs, lives with dignity, and thrives.
OUR Work
Thrive Rural
Rural Equity, Opportunity, Health, and Prosperity
Imagine a future where communities and Native nations across the rural United States are healthy places where each and every person belongs, lives with dignity, and thrives.

Regional and Rural Development
Advancing the principles and practices of regional wealth-building as the means to better economic development policy and practice in the United States.

Community Development Philanthropy
Building the number and capacity of community and region-focused foundations that are taking leadership on – and making a significant difference in – improving the economy and livelihoods in their places.

Whole Family Prosperity
Building the capacity of practitioners and policymakers to help families on the economic margins earn more, keep more of what they earn, and grow what they keep into assets for themselves and their communities.

What’s New at Aspen CSG?

Mapping a New Terrain: Call to Action
As new rural outdoor recreation economies take root, we can meet this moment by improving how we do outdoor recreation development to better support rural families, businesses, and workers, create more sustainable and equitable economic systems, and improve local health and wellbeing.

Wealth Creation in Rural and Indigenous Places
Sep. 19th, 2023, 2PM
Learn how rural practitioners are advancing equitable prosperity and economic development in a way that embraces and strengthens the unique assets of rural regions.

WealthWorks: A Powerful Tool for Thriving Rural Places
WealthWorks is an approach to doing economic development differently that inspired and continues to inform the Thrive Rural Framework. Learn more about the WealthWorks approach.

Broadband Resources
A collection of broadband resources for funding, advocacy, and community program opportunities for rural community leaders.
Recent and Upcoming Events

Wealth Creation in Rural and Indigenous Places
Sep. 19th, 2023, 2PM
Learn how rural practitioners are advancing equitable prosperity and economic development in a way that embraces and strengthens the unique assets of rural regions.

Rural Disaster Preparedness: Partnering for Resilience & Resources
Aug. 1st, 2023, 2PM
Join this hybrid event to explore how rural communities can be better prepared and be more resilient so that when disaster strikes, not just the entire community but the entire region can band together and ensure a swift recovery.

Advancing Regional Action Infrastructure
Jul. 18th, 2023, 1PM
Learn how rural practitioners are advancing regional action infrastructure and how your community can strengthen regional networks and work across communities.

Recompete Pilot Program Webinar
Jun. 29th, 2023, 3PM
Join our upcoming webinar on on the Recompete Pilot program, which aims to invest $200M in geographically diverse economically distressed communities.
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