Social Capital
Social capital is defined as human connections that make for healthier people, neighborhoods, communities and society. The Central Minnesota Community Foundation is taking a lead role in the greater St. Cloud area in promoting the concept of social capital.
Why measure social capital? Social Capital is important because research shows that communities who have high social capital have a higher quality of life. The research supports that communities with high social capital have higher educational achievement, faster economic growth, less crime and violence, and more citizen involvement in government.
The St. Cloud Times and the Central Minnesota Community Foundation are the co-sponsors of the survey. The other partners supporting the survey include the United Way of Central Minnesota, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud Area Economic Partnership, and St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce.
The survey will be using a variety of mediums, from on-line surveys, focus groups and telephone survey methods. The survey questions are designed to measure responses in several areas including awareness of opportunities to get connected in the community and the willingness to reach out to others, whether you are a student, a long time residents or a relative newcomer.
The St. Cloud Times will be reporting on the results in the coming weeks with special features and interviews with respondents. Steve Joul, president of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation says that with the changing demographics in the community since 2004, the data will yield particularly significant insight in how we can become more connected as a community. The act of strengthening ties between the residents of the community has shown to increase residents satisfaction overall within their community.
In 2004, more than 500 area residents were surveyed on this topic. In general, the responses were found to be positive and Central Minnesota is quite well off in terms of social capital when based on comparisons with similar surveys conducted nationally and in two Midwestern cities. Based on the social capital research, the Foundation:
- Created a new committee to oversee and direct how the Foundation impacts the community.
- Developed new criteria that will ask grant applicants how their proposals will build social capital.
- Established the Emerging Leaders Forum to bring together young community leaders and engage them in active philanthropy.
- Fosters community discussion about social capital through presentations to local service clubs and other community venues.
