At the request of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, the study focused on local intermediaries because they are the closest and most consistent resource for building the capacity of youth organizations enabling them to reach more young people with high-quality programs. The study included a review of existing literature, interviews with the directors and staff of seven local intermediaries, review of material written by or about them, and interviews with individuals knowledgeable about local youth development intermediaries including policymakers, funders, and evaluators, as well as individuals familiar with the role of local intermediaries in other sectors. Local youth development intermediaries operate in a position between the youth-serving organizations they assist and a body of knowledge, skills, contacts, and other resources.While intermediaries can be critical to creating effective, sustainable change, they also face both programmatic and organizational challenges. These challenges are central to the roles and relationships they have with the organizations they serve and to their effectiveness.