Success and Sustainability of Visionary Grassroots Education Initiatives in Rural Areas Vicky Eiben Supported by a grant from the Institute for Social Innovation ABSTRACT This was a multi-case study of success and sustainability across 3 rural education initiatives. Insights into educational innovation in various contexts emerged. Three themes were identified: Desire for organizations created around a broader range of human qualities. Alignment with living systems qualities such as complexity, context, cooperation, diversity, dynamic balance, relationships, renewal, and wholeness. Balanced attention to infrastructure, identity, spirit, and community/global connections. PURPOSE The purpose of this research was to provide support for rural communities and grassroots organizations seeking to create innovative educational alternatives. This research addressed three gaps in the literature: 1) Research on grassroots education initiatives is limited. 2) Research on qualitative aspects of success in alternative educational environments is minimal. 3) Research on current reform and innovation has been primarily in urban schools. IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE Existing or forming grassroots education initiatives can be supported and strengthened through a greater understanding of what grows success and makes it possible for initiatives to endure over time. The results are currently being utilized by a community learning center and a folk school. RESULTS DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES Observation and field notes. Documents including by-laws, brochures, mission statements, photographs, and Web sites. 38 interviews lasting min with administrators, board members, teachers, students, community members, and volunteers. CONCLUSIONS Shared Elements Related to SUCCESS Relationship and community building central to the organization. Central role for the arts. Clarity about identity. Holistic, experiential, place-based, and artistic approaches to learning. Spirit element enlivened the work and the place. Deeply connected to local place. Shared Elements Related to SUSTAINABILITY Responded to a genuine need in the community. Found a niche; not duplicating other services. Core, committed group stayed for many years. Creative approaches to financing. Design encouraged stake-holder and community participation. Design was flexible, responsive, and able to change and evolve. A sense of family or home was created. Broader community perceived the initiative as successful. RESEARCH QUESTIONS How do these initiatives lay a foundation for success and sustain their efforts? What are the qualities of the people, the location, and how the initiative is organized that create a strong organization that serves the community and sustains its efforts? QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS Analysis began in the field. Inductive coding within cases included categories related to setting, activities, processes, values, and interviewee perspectives on success and sustainability. ATLAS.ti software assisted with coding within cases as well as identifying shared themes. Domains of the Successful and Sustainable Grassroots Education Initiative Success and sustainability were attributed to the balanced attention given to the four interrelated areas of infrastructure: Identity; Spirit; and Earth, Community, and Global Connections.