Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group

“Our work moves at the pace of trust.” ? Grateful to have joined the Aspen Institute’s Community Strategies Group and 49 other rural leaders earlier this month for their convening on?Rural Development Hubs?— place-based organizations reimagining economic vitality in rural America. (Click through Aspen’s post below for photos and insights.) ? The gathering reaffirmed that?rural prosperity is about coordination. Hubs like the CFO don’t just deliver programs — we help align people, resources and stories to transform regions. A few lessons that resonated: ? ???Trust is the currency of change. Progress hinges on deep relationships, not just funding or metrics. ???Local stories > spreadsheets. Data matters, but narratives move hearts and policies. ???Hubs are “collision spaces”?where economic development, philanthropy and community voice intersect — sometimes messily, always meaningfully. ? Proud that the CFO’s 50+ years of work reflects this Hub model: partnering across 63 counties to amplify what’s already strong. To Aspen CSG and every rural leader in the room? —thank you for the energy and clarity. Let’s keep advocating for the?infrastructure rural hubs need to thrive. ? Who’s doing rural Hub work that inspires you?

Rethinking rural development: Rather than solely focusing on recruiting companies to relocate to a region, asset-building frameworks help rural and Indigenous communities leverage existing wealth for lasting impact by creating locally owned enterprises. Using?WealthWorks?is one way communities can grow what they already have—local know-how, land, culture, and relationships—rather than focusing only on what’s missing. The process:?WealthWorks identifies eight forms of capital (individual, intellectual, social, natural, built, political, cultural, and financial) and connects them to real market opportunities. What asset building?unlocks:?When communities lead with asset building, they’re focused on the array of resources and “capitals” in their region (not just on the deficits) and are better positioned to attract private investment, collaborate across sectors, and create systems that continue to generate value long after a funding period ends. Looking ahead:?With reduced federal funding, rural regions need sustainable, locally-led strategies. Asset building isn’t just smart—it’s essential. www.wealthworks.org

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Curious how Aspen CSG's?Thrive Rural Framework?can advance sustainable development in your community? Use our?Assessment Worksheet?to?consider your work and what action might be next based on where you are right now.?https://lnkd.in/e4ximS28

The Aspen Forum For Community Solutions (AFCS)?report highlights promising opportunities to strengthen the postsecondary and workforce pipeline for Indigenous youth.?https://lnkd.in/ebhbEUnY

Aspen CSG recently brought together rural community development leaders from across the country for an in-person learning convening on?Rural Development Hubs—organizations that are reimagining economic development in rural America. Over two days, participants re-examined the characteristics laid out in Aspen CSG's 2019?report, explored the impact of Hubs, identified unmet needs, and shared recommendations for funders and policymakers on how to bolster Hub capacity and support. A big thank you for the energy, wisdom, and feedback?shared by our participants. We know our work together is only as strong as our partnerships, so we are grateful for their thoughtful dedication to this work.?

Philanthropic giving can make a big difference in small towns, if both sides can find each other, according to our friends at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. We know that to be true. As one of few rural-based, rural-serving private foundations in the country, our work must be responsive and community-centered. In finding each other, organizations and funders should keep these approaches in mind: ?? In addition to funding a project, leverage a philanthropic gift as seed or matching funds. ?? Get into community to understand needs and opportunities, including barriers to applications processes, like grant writing or technical assistance needs. ??? Invest in places—reliably, year over year—and be patient with returns. It takes time for communities to rebound from years of disinvestment. Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4g9st1a

Looking forward to seeing and talking to a sold-out audience (more than 600!) at the NC Rural Center's Rural Summit tomorrow!

Looking forward to seeing and talking to a sold-out audience (more than 600!) at the NC Rural Center's Rural Summit tomorrow!

Since 2022, Vibrant Hawai?i CEO, Janice Ikeda, MA Ikeda, has been a member of the Aspen Institute Rural Action Roundtable on Equity (RARE), collaborating with rural community leaders from across the nation. Recently, RARE leadership convened the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group (CSG) for an in-person learning exchange focused on Rural Development Hubs—organizations that are transforming economic development in rural America. This convening provided us with the invaluable opportunity to learn from impactful work being done nationwide, reinforcing the importance of community-driven resilience and growth. “Attending the Aspen CSG Summit on Rural Development Hubs reinforced the power of place-based, community-driven solutions. At Vibrant Hawai?i, we see ourselves as a Rural Development Hub—connecting people, resources, and knowledge to strengthen the well-being of our island communities. Through our Resilience Hubs, economic development initiatives, and collaborative partnerships, we are investing in solutions rooted in the wisdom and strengths of our people. We are deeply grateful for the work of Aspen CSG in bringing rural leaders together to share strategies, challenges, and successes. Their commitment to uplifting rural communities aligns with our ongoing efforts to ensure a thriving Hawai?i for generations to come,” said Janice Ikeda, CEO of Vibrant Hawai?i. #RuralDevelopment #CommunityDriven #EconomicDevelopment #VibrantHawaii #Leadership #Resilience #Partnerships #AspenInstitute #Hawaii