Community Development Organizations and Research: What Works and Why?

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This paper seeks to improve general understanding of how some local and regional nonprofit, public interest organizations successfully use research to inform their rural development strategies. Authors find that between both intermediary organizations and “grass-roots” organizations, these groups fail to see or implement research as a significant component of their programs. Authors see research as instrumental to allow groups involve in rural development to better understand the economic base and structure of their communities.

Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group
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