The Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group
We partner with rural and Indigenous practitioners, policymakers, and funders to support durable, holistic community and economic development.
Our focus includes regional wealth creation, community capacity building, and funding evaluation.
We use peer learning to identify patterns across regions, support learning between places, and produce research grounded in practitioner experience.
Through long-term partnerships with regional organizations, we advance locally driven approaches so that 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
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.
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 New at the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group?
Building Rural Capacity That Lasts
Feb. 11th, 2026, 3PM
Join this informal Zoom discussion on what helps regions build long-term capacity.
Building Regional Strength: A Call to Action
Insights and recommendations to build healthy, thriving rural & Indigenous regions.
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.
Building an Inclusive Rural Placemaking Community Space
Explore how rural placemaking, guided by Aspen CSG’s Thrive Rural Framework, fosters prosperity in rural and Indigenous communities.
The Best of Aspen CSG, Right in Your Inbox
Stay connected and informed about events, stories, and tools from our team, including new reports, blogs, podcasts, and videos.