Tool

HOW TO WORK IN COALITIONS

Erin Cahill   |   July 23, 2023

This guide, Work in Coalitions, offers practical strategies for rural leaders and organizations to collaborate across sectors, build strong partnerships, and amplify their collective impact. By walking through approaches to coalition building—from establishing shared goals to navigating challenges—it serves as a roadmap for communities seeking to strengthen their voice and advance equitable development. As part of a broader collection of resources designed to equip changemakers with tools for long-term impact, this publication reflects the importance of shared leadership and coordinated action in driving systemic change. This work connects closely with the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group’s commitment to advancing rural well-being and fostering durable, asset-based development.

Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group
Related Posts
Report
Equitable Economic Development Playbook Initiative

International Economic Development Council (IEDC)

IEDC’s Equitable Economic Development Playbook Initiative is IEDC’s flagship Race, Equity, and Economic Development program.

Read More
Blog
Building Community Capacity in Rural East Texas

NPQ

What would it look like for rural civic infrastructure to thrive, not just survive, in the 21st century? Work in East Texas, where T.L.L. Temple and Communities Unlimited are teaming to develop bottom-up structural solutions to building rural capacity.

Read More
Tool
JUST TRANSITION FUND

Just Transition Fund

The Just Transition Fund is on a mission to create economic opportunity for the frontline communities and workers hardest hit by the transition away from coal.

Read More
Tool
Reimagine Appalachia Resources

ReImagine Appalachia

ReImagine Appalachia’s whitepapers show that federal investments in the people, communities and infrastructure of Appalachia can work to revitalize the region.

Read More
Tool
RURAL LEADERS

Center for Rural Affairs

Leaders are the life-blood of small towns and rural communities. A resource from the Center for Rural Affairs on rural leadership.

Read More
Tool
RURALEAD

RuraLEAD Development Initiative

RuraLead explored these essential questions: Who gets to lead? Who has power in rural places? What constitutes good leadership? What does it look like in practice? How do people become leaders in rural communities? How do we strengthen and support rural leadership?

Read More
Latest From Aspen CSG
Blog
Green landscape with icons and designs over it
Building Capacity in Rural & Indigenous Communities

Insights and learnings from rural practitioners on how organizational capacity and technical assistance can be carefully and intentionally strengthened to grow economies, health, and livelihoods for each and every person in their regions.

Read More
Blog
Volunteer places a 'Vote Here' sign outside a rural community center before polls open.
A Reminder To Reporters: If You’ve Seen One Rural Place … You’ve Seen One Rural Place

By shaping accurate narratives, we can drive fair and just investments and policies that honor the people and places at the heart of rural and Indigenous communities.

Read More
Tool
Measuring community capacity building book cover
Measuring Community Capacity Building Workbook

This is a workbook focuses on improving the ability of individuals, organizations, businesses, and government in their community to come together, learn, make well-reasoned decisions about the community’s present and future, and work together to carry out those decisions.

Read More
Blog
Ten Books for Rethinking Rural and Indigenous Development

Stories shape how we understand people and places. This list highlights narratives and research on the systemic forces affecting rural and Indigenous communities.

Read More
Blog
How Rural Development Hubs Can Strengthen Rural Health Transformation Program Implementation

Rural Development Hub leaders say new funding like RHTP works best when regions interpret it against existing priorities, coordinate it through existing partnerships, and adapt it to local context — rather than treating it as a distinct program.

Read More
Blog
Ten Podcasts Focused on Rural Community and Economic Development

Check out our roundup of podcasts highlighting important issues about and to rural communities and Native nations.

Read More