Description:
Over seven years ago, a number of community foundations across the country undertook the largest scientific investigation of civic engagement in America, resulting in the 2001 Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey ("2001 Survey"). The 2001 Survey instrument, developed by Dr. Robert D. Putnam of Harvard University, was a groundbreaking telephone survey that helped measure the strengths and weaknesses of a diverse community. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Region was one of forty communities that participated in this research.
The term social capital refers to "connections among individuals--social networks and norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness that arise from them." Social capital is multi-faceted and can be measured through several dimensions such as trust, diversity of friendships, informal socializing, civic leadership, volunteering and faith-based engagement. Higher levels of social capital are believed to create positive consequences, such as mutual aid, cooperations, better government services and more opportunities for economic growth.
Promoting social capital in a dynamic, growing and diverse commuinty is essential and at the same time challenging. By increasing social capital, as defined by the measures used in this survey, individuals' potential to achieve better access, equity and inclusion within the community will more than likely improve.
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