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 Happening at CSG?

Through Natural Disaster to Prosperity: A Call to Action — Executive Summary
Executive Summary document for Through Natural Disaster to Prosperity: A Call to Action. Get quick takeaways and recommendations for action.

Recent Learnings from (and for) the Rural Field
New opportunities with value to rural and Native nation communities are being generated across fields, from public health to environmental justice and beyond. Check out a few ideas and opportunities to help spur equitable rural prosperity in your community.

Communicating for Connection: West Virginia Community Development Hub
This short case study has insight and tips on how communities that have been historically and systematically excluded can develop authentic and effective leadership that builds power to challenge the status quo.

Advancing the Next Generation of Rural and Indigenous Leaders
Insights and tips to identify, establish, and sustain youth leadership in rural and Indigenous communities.
Recent and Upcoming Events

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?

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?

ADDRESSING THE NEWS: INFORMATION GAP IN RURAL AMERICA
Oct. 7th, 2022, 1PM
How is your community thinking and acting on the issue of access to quality news coverage in rural communities and Native nations, as well as building trust and accurate rural narratives through national media?

This Is What Capacity Looks Like: Building Development Muscle in Rural and Native Nation Communities
Nov. 30th, 2021, 3PM
It is often said that rural and tribal communities and organizations need more capacity to fully engage or solve problems in their regions. But what, exactly, equals “capacity”?
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