Washington | Pop. 109,552 | 2 counties

Aligned with an asset-based approach, several analyses focus on defining different types of community capital from a regional lens. The Community Capitals Framework (CCF), commonly used in rural economic development, identifies seven types of capital: built, cultural, financial, human, natural, political, and social. The WealthWorks’ capital framework identifies eight forms of capital: intellectual, financial, natural, cultural, built, political, individual, and social. See how the North Olympic Peninsula Resource and Conservation and Development Council community capital analysis in their recent CEDS.

Consider how you can understand and frame your region through an asset-based lens. Avoid discussing communities within your region as weaknesses or threats. Framing these gaps, and therefore these communities, as deficits reinforce stereotypes and historical narratives of these individuals. Instead, when outlining these areas for growth, highlight the systemic barriers that have created these gaps that will need to be addressed to create impact.

The WealthWorks’ capital framework identifies eight forms of capital: intellectual, financial, natural, cultural, built, political, individual, and social.

The Community Capitals Framework (CCF), commonly used in rural economic development, identifies seven types of capital: built, cultural, financial, human, natural, political, and social.

Minnesota | Pop. 166,566 | 5 counties

Explore how Region 5 Development Commission used the WealthWorks's capital framework to take an asset-based approach to their S.W.O.T. Analysis.

Massachusetts | Pop. 789,034 | 1 county

Explore how the Merrimack Valley Regional Planning Commission used the S.O.A.R. framework to take an asset-based approach to their S.W.O.T. Analysis.