I recently watched tennis legend Roger Federer address the newly minted Class of ‘24 at Dartmouth College. Whether or not you grant him GOAT distinction, Federer is, without a doubt, an athlete for the ages, and I knew it would be wise to pay attention. As he served advice in the form of “tennis lessons,” one particular point stood out as a timely reminder: The scoreboard is not the only measure of success.
In his career, Federer won nearly 80% of the 1,526 singles matches he played, a fact he shared with the graduates. “Now, I have a question for all of you,” he continued. “What percentage of the points do you think I won in those matches?” His answer: only 54%. “Even top-ranked tennis players win barely more than half of the points they play,” he said.
Similarly, the true measure of societal change lies not just in economic indicators — no matter how impressive — but in the equity and opportunity it affords all its members. A healthy economy is an inclusive economy.
‘Real growth requires risk’
For 37 years, I’ve had the privilege of working in community development, and have learned first-hand the power of vibrant, equitable communities. I’ve witnessed affordable housing transform neighborhoods, watched tiny businesses bloom into job-creating hubs, seen art and culture thrive when given the right resources. A community is not just a collection of houses and businesses; it is the heartbeat of American life — where children take their first steps, where families build traditions, where dreams, big and small, are conceived, nurtured and pursued.
In our field of community development, we’ve long been too averse to accepting the reality — and necessity — of failure. Of the lessons I’ve learned in my nearly four decades of service, few are as valuable as this: Real growth requires risk. In the end, many of those risks, according to traditional markers, could be read as failures. But we can’t afford to miss the bigger picture. If one step enables us to reach the next, is it correct to call it failure?
Our culture champions risk-takers, yet the freedom to take risks is a privilege many Americans can’t afford. In our current economic system, only a select few are allowed to fail. Stark disparities in wage, business opportunity and access to housing persist both in cities and in rural areas. These disparities are not just statistics on a page. They are barriers that prevent millions of Americans from reaching their full potential. In a field that seeks to expand opportunity, the opportunity to fail is perhaps the greatest resource we can provide.
I remain optimistic. As Federer also said, “When you’re playing a point, it is the most important thing in the world. But when it’s behind you, it’s behind you. This mindset is really crucial, because it frees you to fully commit to the next point, and the next one after that, with intensity, clarity and focus.”
Equitable growth
I believe that right now, our field of community development is standing at a crucial inflection point. After decades of accomplishing so much with limited resources, we finally have the capital, the expertise and the collective will to truly impact economic disparity. A new chapter is unfolding, one where equitable growth and justice for our communities are not just aspirational goals but achievable realities.
Recently, our organization, formerly known as the National Development Council, embraced a new identity — Grow America. This change came about because we’re more visible to the public and need a name that better reflects our commitment not only to growth, but to equitable growth that uplifts all communities, particularly those that have been historically marginalized. We believe that spurring growth in low-wealth communities isn’t simply the right thing to do, it’s also a smart, strategic investment in the future of our economy.
My colleagues and I would not have the know-how or infrastructure we have today if not for the past five decades of trial and error. We value the wrong turns, the fits and starts, the all-out failures of our past. This practice doesn’t simply serve to boost morale; it’s the very foundation on which we’ll build our future success. “Embracing the process, loving the process, is a talent,” Federer says. In this sense, the field of community development, in America, has never had more talent.
In addition to talent, we now have unprecedented resources. Over the next few years, Grow America will invest upwards of $10 billion in projects designed to create affordable housing, revitalize neighborhoods, and support businesses owned by women and people of color.
Our approach is rooted in partnership and collaboration. We work hand-in-hand with community leaders, local governments, and the private sector to identify and address the unique needs of each community. We know that there is no one-size-fits-all solution; each community has its own strengths, challenges, and aspirations.
These investments will not only create jobs and economic opportunities but also strengthen the social fabric of communities. We believe that a thriving community is one where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Grow America is not alone in the field. We stand alongside countless groups and individuals, and we welcome the next generation of development organizations, forward-thinking leaders, ambitious donors, and community-led collective action, all dedicated to building a more just and equitable society.
Daniel Marsh is president and CEO of Grow America, a community and economic development nonprofit headquartered in New York.