The BASED initiative explored the advancement of community development through arts and culture. This national program provided a platform for continued learning of leading practitioners and Kresge staff around emerging field priorities, such as strengthening racial equity and inclusion best practices within the community development sector.

While a substantial number of community development organizations have successfully integrated creative problem-solving into broader neighborhood strategies, many of these organizations face staffing, policy and funding hurdles. BASED aimed to strengthen these organizations and expand efforts that integrated creative problem-solving into place-based work happening in cities nationwide.

This four-year pilot initiative launched in 2019 and concluded in 2023. A report is forthcoming.