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.

Man in a t-shirt with the word "Dad"smiling standing on ladder
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.

People smiling at the table with notepads and pens
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.

Family of four smiling and sitting together on the couch
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.

Field with trees and people walking

What’s New at Aspen CSG?


publications
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.

publications
Building Trust and Visibility Through Community-Based Participatory Research at Rural Minority-Serving Institutions

This research brief explores how rural MSIs and approaches to community-based participatory research can be used to better understand MSIs’ nature and practices.

event
Growing Rural Equitable Outdoor Recreation Economies

Jun. 9th, 2023, 1PM

How is your community using outdoor recreation to grow sustainable, healthy livelihoods for families and new economic futures for your region?

tools
2023 County Health Rankings

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CHR&R) brings actionable data, evidence, guidance and stories to support community-led efforts to grow community…

Recent and Upcoming Events
event
Growing Rural Equitable Outdoor Recreation Economies

Jun. 9th, 2023, 1PM

How is your community using outdoor recreation to grow sustainable, healthy livelihoods for families and new economic futures for your region?

event
US Capitol building with money image in background
Seizing the Moment: Rural Development Hubs and the Historic Opportunity for Federal Resources

Apr. 12th, 2023, 1PM

Learn how to use federal funding opportunities to build bridges and develop new capacities and the importance of working regionally to maximize community assets. You’ll walk away with techniques to prepare your organization for securing and administering federal funds.

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Advancing the Next Generation of Rural and Indigenous Leaders

Feb. 10th, 2023, 1PM

How is your community thinking and acting on the issue of next generation leadership?

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Ensuring Rural Communities Welcome Everyone

Dec. 9th, 2022, 1PM

How can we work to ensure that each and every person is welcomed to the community, feels connected, and is able to exercise and influence power in community decision-making?

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