PHILANTHROPY MUST CHANGE SO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CAN KEEP CHANGING FOR THE BETTER

In Inside Philanthropy, David Fukuzawa and Nancy O. Andrews argue that philanthropy must evolve if community development is to deliver lasting, equitable change. They highlight how decades of underinvestment, short-term grants, and risk-averse funding have stifled progress, particularly in communities of color and persistent poverty regions. The authors call for foundations to embrace long-term, risk-tolerant investment, support community-led leadership, and reimagine capital as a tool for systemic change. Their recommendations echo Aspen CSG’s mission: centering local voice, building durable community infrastructure, and advancing racial and economic justice so rural and under-resourced places can thrive.